A trivialization in the presumption of simplicity. Speeth's parents were involved in the Gurdjieff Work. She wasn't. She met Gurdjieff as a child, but this book only indicates the shallow surface of the ideas and practices he expressed. This set of ideas is not called "the work" lightly. Speeth seems to have no clue what that means. If the actual writings of Gurdjieff or the highly recommended "In Search of the Miraculous" are too daunting to begin with, try Jean Vaysse's "Toward Awakening" as an introduction that is at least connected with its subject.
--I am not entering my name because I do not wish this to sound like self-promotion, not because I do not stand behind this opinion.

From looking at the reviews here it seems they love this book or hate it. As someone outside of "The Work" and who is collecting data to make a decision to delve into the work I may have a more objective view. This is the second book I've read on "The Work" and have read one more since. This book seems to accurately (although briefly) portray "the work". There are plenty of names dropped in this book as Kathleen explores the ancestry of the work and gives plenty of information on current groups. One tidbit I took away was about the value of the practice of the daily review. By reviewing one's day at the end of it this strengthens the practice of "Self Observation" as being a delayed observation of self.

Writers of spiritual philosophy could learn a lot about communciating their ideas by reading this slender, marvelously clear document. The author distills an enormous amount of complex material in a brief, accurate, and wholly understandable format. Don't let anyone tell you that complex ideas necessitate complex language. When someone really understands a subject, he is generally able to speak about it simply. And this author provides a beautiful case in point.

Dr. Kathleen Riordan Speeth was in contact with Gurdjieff as a child. She studied Skinnerian behavioristics psychology and Buddhist and Sufi traditions.
This book has a very good bibliography made by J. Walter Driscoll and contains 500 entries, including recorded and sheet music.
The book is illustrated with beautiful ptotographs and paintings from Alexandropol to Bukhara and many places in between when the author is tracing Gurdjieff's search.