This was the text book for a Church History class I had several years ago. It is funny how when taking the class I avoided reading the book and yet several years later I read through it within a week.
Being a Christian I feel that an understanding of the history of the Church to be hugely important.
This book is definitely academic in it's approach to Church History and is by no means a "fun read" in the sense that anyone could pick it up and enjoy it. However if you have an interest in the development of the Church up to the reformation and beyond I would highly recommend it.