This is an extremely in-depth look at an interesting topic. It is clearly meant for academics rather than laymen. It is a very densely-packed book which reads more like a series of academic papers than it does a book. If it is a subject that interests you, or which you are researching, then this is going to be a treasure trove of research materials for you.

This book was slightly different than I had expected (much more history) but I learned a lot about church history. I am not Anglican, but I am familiar with the author and wanted to see how English theologians and writers I am familiar with, such as CS Lewis, fit into the context of colonialism.

It took me a while to read, but I learned so much. Kwok Pui-Lan discusses the decolonial movement as it impacted the Anglican church (turns out, it was awkward being Anglican after the American Revolution) and then as empire expanded then shifted in Africa and Asia. I especially enjoyed her contextualization of Gutierrez's liberation theology in a context of politics and colonialism in one of the chapters, as I have been working through his major work for a while. The chapters on worship and how the Book of Common Prayer were contextualized, debates on sexuality (ie polygamy and homosexuality), feminism and women's roles in the church, and working together with other churches and religions towards a common good were amazing to me. Having come from a church background that doesn't celebrate ecumenism or interfaith dialogues, I am amazed that Anglicans are doing this work and have been for decades. I now have a better understanding of current debates happening in this portion of the global Church. This book is worth buying so I can reference it again later and look up the other works cited in the excellent bibliography.

Thank you to Netgalley and Seabury for this ARC.