Providing heat?

[allergenic]

Ok here's a new one to me too, from the same book. The book says when providing a basking area THE SURFACE under the basking spot should reach 145 degrees. Umm what?!

That's correct.

even the hottest heat rocks I've ever seen never reach 120 degrees, and we all know never to use heat rocks for our reptiles, always over head heat.

Yes, that's correct also. Belly heat is not the same as basking heat.

145 degree basking area seems insanely hot for any reptile. I mean if you think about the natural habitat for a savannah the hottest recorded temp was only like 125 degrees

You are confusing air ("ambient") temps and surface temps.

and the tree branches, dirt or whatever they may be laying on would be cooler than that.

They will actually be hotter, as they are directly in the sun. Have you ever walked on pavement in your bare feet in the middle of summer? It may only be 90 degrees out (lower than our body temp), but the pavement is scalding.

So if I provide a basking area with 95-100 degrees would that be sufficant?

No, it will cause your monitor to be unable to properly metabolize its meals, and become sick and lethargic.