If one wishes to gather a basic understanding of Gnostic tradition, its lineage, and its relevance in contemporary thought this is as good a place to start as any. It is comprehensive enough in scope, but being an introduction it does not delve too deep into any one component of its subject. The tone of the book is its major flaw. Hoeller at times comes across as proselytizing and dogmatic, and at times seems unprofessional, at times injecting his prose with awkardly placed irony and colloquial talk, or referencing his own work and expertise. It is hoped that a critical reader can pass can pass over the work's shortcomings, that they neither dismiss it nor embrace it as some sort of self help tract, andd see it as a general and helpful introduction to a long and fruitful set of traditions. The appended reading list is balanced and extensive. He who has ears, let him hear. He who seeks, and continues to seek, shall find. ( )