This is a very useful summary of the influence and spread of the liturgy and psalter of the French church of Strasbourg throughout sixteenth-century Europe. In many respects it complements the author's previous study, Le Psautier de Calvin: l'histoire d'un livre populaire au XVIe siècle (1551–1598) (Turnhout 2002). The first part deals with Calvin's ministry in Strasbourg, his working relationship with Bucer, the educational influences of Sturm and his provision of the French liturgy and metrical Psalms. The second part covers the work of Calvin's successors in Strasbourg (and in exile in England): Brully, de Brès, Poullain, Garnier, Alexandre and Houbracque. The volume is a timely reminder that what is generally referred to as the ‘Genevan’ liturgy was essentially created in Strasbourg, and that around a quarter of both texts and melodies in the ‘Genevan’ psalter originated in Strasbourg rather than Geneva. Two useful appendices detail this Strasbourg content of the Genevan psalter, and a bibliography lists the relevant literature, though here one notices the omission of some recent English publications.

The influence of Strasbourg on Geneva can easily be overlooked and we can be grateful to Robert Weeda for providing this significant review of the basic information.