I required this text for my strategy course. I've found the book to be well structured, up-to-date, topical, and easy to read. There is plenty of reference to the great strategy writers and there is evaluation of the different ideas. At times it could be clearer about where it is heading and could also use the other common names that are given to theory and models. My lecturer had not used this text before so he often referred to ideas that were not in the index or glossary of the text. When the concept of googled, I could find other names and these were often used. It does however give a good base position that is easy to understand - an amalgamation of much of the material out there. The referencing is detailed as well, so often there is the ability to read some journal articles behind the theory.
I found the online portal unhelpful overall. Nothing really added to the experience with that, so if you're looking at a second hand version I don't think you're missing anything at all.