In contemporary American Christianity, the history of the church is often neglected. While the churches of the Lutheran Reformation have not neglected their own historical roots in the sixteenth century, they have sometimes forgotten the unique history of the American Lutheran Church. In this monumental work, J.L. Neve gives an expansive history of the Lutheran Church in America through the beginning of the twentieth century. He introduces each of the major, and minor, American Synods, and outlines various differences in theology and polity. He also gives brief biographical information on all the significant figures in each American Synod. While Neve's own theological positions are made apparent in the book, he is fair and sympathetic to those with whom he disagrees. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of the Lutheran Church in the United States.