Bernadette Brady can be best described in this way: Understated Competance - so understated in fact that one might believe that this is some kind of cute storybook because that's what the title might suggest. I assure you, it is not. Bernadette's methods are very technical and the way she lays the information out, if studied diligently, will lead the student of astrology to excellence
I've found the best approach is to steadily progress through the book, make lots of index card notes of key concepts and study them as you would a college text because truly, this is a collegiate-level work. It must be studied and practiced rigorously rather than simply read. Yet for all that, the style is engaging and the author is warm, yet stern enough motivate the student through times of sloth. (speaking from experience)Moreover, it becomes clear very early on that she expects the student to be successful and rise to her own high standards. I feel that this is the mark of a master - to get the student to the same level.
The objective of the author is simply this: Develop the "eagle" or the foundational skills first. Do that and you'll fly far above the earth. Then, once aloft and resting upon solid technical ground, let the "lark" sing his song - the intuition - and breath the specificity and pertinence into your readings that can transform others.
To sum up, this is a master work by a master astrologer. It represents a lifelong committment, not only to astrology, but to the teaching of astrology. It has the level of detail and profoundness than only true passion can bring. Fortunately for the rest of us, Bernadette is willing to share that passion.