It does go into the Fourth Way philosophy, of which Churton is an expert, but it's definitely more geared towards a historical exploration of Gurdjieff. Regarding the philosophical aspects, I'd say its greatest utility is in how it suggests very human motivations for some of Gurdjieff's perspectives.

I personally found that useful because G was such a mysterious, profound person, that I always found it too easy to take his words at face value and assume it was ALL legitimate extrapolations of the great mystery schools and esoteric teachings. In reality, though, he was a human being, and as a human being prone to applying his own experiences to his interpretations and teachings. I feel like when I contemplate G's work now, I have a clearer perspective for seeing it as the profound material of a true human being, warts and all.