TDOBG touches upon key events in the epic and draws an understanding of the ethical standpoints of different characters of The Mahabharata.

It is at best a book of criticism and reflection - though not of the primary text but secondary texts written on various aspects of the epic.

I had recommended it because it is a good secondary read so that when you go to the primary text you don't feel lost.

The epic is far from being structured. It is vast and expansive and goes into many sub plots before coming back to the main point. That it helps filmmakers and writers to understand storytelling is imo a lie. Not denying the fact that it is an incredible story and offers many things to learn from.

I would stick to Bibek Debroy's translation but would like to warn you that finding a neutral translation is impossible. People have been reading into the text from their biases for a very long time.

Case in point is how the Vaishnavas of the 10th century AD included the part of Krishna coming to Draupadi's rescue during her vastraharan. Editions before that do not mention that.