Donald Rothberg has been an activist and teacher on the path of engaged buddhism for many years. This book seeks to contain the wisdom he has accumulated along the way, and it is densely packed with that wisdom.  There is not much in here about evolving views of consciousness. The book is more in the tradition of Jack Kornfield type grounded practice. This is a book for the long haul, addressing in a practical way the issues that face individuals and organisations in the business of social transformation. It is also a primer in its own way for basic buddhist practice, forcing one to think in new ways about the basics. For instance, Rothbergs first chapter is about “establishing the conditions for safety near and far”. This is another way of introducing one of the major subdivisions of the buddhist path, ie ethics or Sila. But Rothberg has chosen his words wisely, echoing the first wishes recounted in loving kindness meditation practice (metta). We're just talking about the title of the first chapter here! There follows a very thoughtful and integrative account of ethics as a starting point for engaged buddhism, one I personally found to be a wake up call. The account is integrative in that Rothberg throughout this book applies his themes to individual practice, intersubjective practice (relational) and the collective.
There is an excellent chapter on mindfulfulness, and there is plenty here on dealing with the emotional ups and downs, and “difficult people” that are encountered by anyone committed to change. The paradox of committment without attachment to outcomes is a theme of later chapters. Another theme that is revisited is the need to look after one's self, as a pre-requisite to being helpful in the world. There are useful exercises presented to help one find the correct path and expression of one's calling.
Rothberg edited the useful book Ken Wilber in dialogue (which is where I first encountered his work), but Ken does not get a mention here. But this book is not really on the same pitch, dealing with epistemological quandries of social psychological evolution and the like. It is refreshingly earthed and has a strong tone of humility. (Not knowing but keeping going, another chapter title, is good enough epistemology for the moment for me). I've discovered that Donald Rothberg has some interesting talks available at audiodharma.org. This is a thoughful and wise book based on decades of committed practice. A real service to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.