Cassels was the religion editor for United Press International for many years, and well-informed about the various denominations in his day. This book is written in a respectful tone. Before devoting separate chapters to the major "families" (Lutherans, Presbyterians, Church of England and its offshoots), he offers three chapters that contextualized the discussion: The Jewish-Christian Heritage, The Catholic-Protestant Difference, and Is the Bible Infallible? There are short chapters at the end dealing with Islam and the Oriental religions.

The opening and closing chapters work like bookends: The Varieties of Faith (his point: everyone believes something), and Does It Matter What You Believe?, in which he criticizes syncretism. Reminds me of the old public service ads in the 50s: This Sunday, go to the church of your choice, but do go.

It is no criticism to say, 50 years after its publication, that it is dated. Vatican II was just getting started, the coverage of New Religious Movements that arose in America would have to be expanded in a comparable treatment today, and more discussion of Islam and Buddhism would be needed. But in its time, it was a helpful introduction. ( )