?Demonstrating an intimate familiarity with the sources, Dean Brackney here presents a sprightly thematic treatment of the Baptist tradition.' This is followed by a major biographical directory that gives bone and sinew to the preceding discussion. All of that, together with notes, bibliographical essay, and helpful chronological chart, erects an imposing, yet inviting edifice." Edwin S. Gaustad Professor University of California, Riversde "Number 2 in Greenwood's Denominations in America, The Baptists was written by W.H. Brackney. . . . It is divided into two parts: The Baptist Tradition and A Biographical Dictionary of Baptist Leaders. Six chpaters in the first part deal with these major topics: an overview of Baptist history, the Church's controversial position on the Bible, basic Church doctrine in America through the centuries, its sacraments/ordinances or "signs of faith, " the voluntary spirit "at the very heart of the Baptist self-understanding, " and a history of the struggle for religious liberty. Under the second part are a chronology of events from 1609 through 1979, listings of the denominations on the continents with the number of churchs and memberships figures, and a bibliograhic essay. Index. An excellent historical reference on the subject. Recommended for extensive reference collections on religion.?-Reference Book Review