Large volumes of varying standards on broad fields of church history proliferate, but this one – notably copious at 751 pages – is one of the more valuable of its genre. It examines the Nonconformity of England and Wales, a subject of enormous diversity and therefore one frequently misunderstood. This collection of essays deals with themes more specifically religious (theology, worship, mission) but also with political, educational and social topics. The result is a remarkably comprehensive coverage, at least in terms of topics. Methodism, however, is less well represented in the volume than might be expected, since that denomination will have its own volume in the same series. Nevertheless the authors are specialists in their areas and so the collection is highly authoritative. Moreover it contains two resources of special utility: a structured bibliography and an ‘ABC of Nonconformity’. The bibliography, by Clive D. Field, a master of the craft, is a guide to the primary sources on Nonconformity together with the best reference material on the various aspects of the subject. Enriched by an astonishing array of knowledge, this chapter will be an invaluable tool for researchers for many years to come. The ‘ABC’ is a dictionary of occurrences, institutions and individuals extending to 173 pages, containing the sorts of names that authors familiar with their subject matter often mention but do not explain. It is therefore a tool that will help the newcomer immensely. The editor, Robert Pope, Reader in Theology at the University of Wales, Trinity St David, has completed a monumental task and put many future users of this book in his debt.