This is not an introductory book for someone new to Buddhism. It is an excellent book for someone who knows some basics about Buddhism, has picked up a practice, and wishes to deepen their understanding and spiritual aspirations.

It may be hard to keep in mind that what Pema Chodron writes is the commentary and the text of focus is ancient teachings from the Tibetan lineage of Buddhism. It is customary in Buddhism to do this in order to carry forward the teaching from another time and place to the current time. A teacher in her own right, Chodron keeps it meaningful and inspiring. There are times, but very few, when the prejudices of Shantideva's time and place will rub one the wrong way.

Some wisdom from Shantideva:

The goal of every act is happiness itself,
Though even with great wealth, it's rarely found.
So take your pleasure in the qualities of others.
Let them be a heartfelt joy to you.

By acting thus, in this life you'll lose nothing;
In future lives, great bliss will come to you.
The sin of envy brings not joy but pain,
And in the future, dreadful suffering. (Shantideva 5.77,78)

The book is all about bodhichitta, which is the flash of lightning and hte buddha's power:

As when a flash of lightning rends the night,
And in its glare shows all the dark black clouds had hid,
Likewise rarely, through the buddha's power,
Virtuous thoughts arise, brief and transient, in the world (Shantideva 1.5)