First, this is an interesting book on an interesting subject--how the Eucharist was celebrated throughout history. It's easy to read and with tons of illustrations. The pictures alone make this book worthwhile to anyone interested in history.

That said, I was surprised by the lack of discussion on the Eucharist itself and how it was regarded in the church. Apparently the author was more interested in a discussion of the vessels, the music, and the architecture.

In the chapter on the first century, the author can only say, "In this time, it is not the things--not even the bread and wine--that are important, but the community. The believers more than any single food are the body of Christ" (p 21).

Yet Paul said that those who ate the Eucharist unworthily brought death upon themselves. And here is 1 Cor "the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"

Foley walks you through the history of Christian liturgy in several different ages, from the beginnings of Christian worship, to the height of Gothic Christianity, to the practices of today. Beginning each era with a dramatization/story from the perspective of the worshiper, Foley makes clear the point of Christian liturgy - to personally engage the worshiper in the liturgy. Each era also includes a discussion or art, architecture and music. While the book is scholarly in nature, it is certainly not only for academics and can be approached by all.