This major reference work describes the publishing history of the Books of Common Prayer that have appeared in the 450 years since the first prayer book was published in 1549. English and American editions are recorded, as well as translations into over 200 languages and dialects used by missionaries and immigrant communities. There are many illustrations and a full bibliographical description for each book, with notes on the circumstances of its publication. There are thorough indexes of publishers, printers, translators and promoters, and also of languages, scripts and short titles. The book would appeal not just to book historians, but also to anybody interested in how religious texts are communicated.