Yes, The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine: Volume 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100–600) is an ambitious title for a book, but at least you're not left wondering what it is about. You'd also be correct in thinking it isn't light reading. However, it is an excellent book. The book focuses on the development of the doctrines of Scripture, the relation of Christianity to Israel, the Trinity, the Incarnation, and Grace as they developed in the early Church.
Certainly, I learnt much from the book; I will say that Dr Pelikan expects you to have some background knowledge in both doctrine and history before you approach his book. For example, I was in over my head in the section on the Incarnation, trying to figure out what the various preChalcedonian Christologies were. However I'm eagerly awaiting reading the second in the series, in the new year: The Spirit of Eastern Christendom (600–1700)
