McGoldrick's updating and revision of Reed's History of the Presbyterian Churches of the World (1905), with material from an unpublished mid-twentieth century manuscript by Spence. Material after 1900 is McGoldrick's, and he has added a bibliography for each chapter.

The book is encyclopedic in scope, touching on a remarkable number of Reformed churches around the globe. That is its greatest strength, although over one-half addresses communions in the European and North American context. There is no real thesis, but McGoldrick's theme is that where churches have become liberal and ecumenical one sees declension, and where they adhere to “historic Calvinism” there is vigor and growth. The book is thoroughly institutional history.

The book could contribute more to our knowledge of world Christianity by addressing well-established questions of missiology. The importance of indigenization of Christianity in receiving cultures is not addressed. The work is also quite Western in orientation-Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa was spread by “European, American, and white South African churches,” (408) which leaves one wondering about African Initiated Churches. Similar questions arise throughout.

Polemical in nature, the book remains helpful as a quick look at Reformed and Presbyterian communions around the globe.