The Prayer Book Through the Ages [Paperback]

William Sydnor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

An exploration of the history of the Book of Common Prayer and its revisions, beginning with the 1549 English Prayer Book and continuing up to the present. This revised and expanded version of The Story of the Real Prayer Book (this books original title) finishes the story of the final adoption of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Sydnor explores why each revision was necessary, what was changed, added, omitted, as well as what was retained in the new book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Prayer Book Through The Ages is a newly revised and expanded version of The Story of the Real Prayer Book finishes the history of the final adoption of the 1979 Standard Book of Common Prayer. The Prayer Book Through The Ages tells why each revision was necessary, what was changed, added, omitted, but (more important) what was always retained in the "new" book. By understanding the delicate balance between the need for change and the preservation of what is timeless, William Sydnor (a retired Episcopal priest and the author of Introductions to the Scriptures Read in Worship, Looking at the Episcopal Church, and Your Voice, God's Word) believes Episcopalians will "find anew that common ground of common prayer which is our legacy, our inspiration, and our joy". A lucid, informative, and engaging history, The Prayer Book Through The Ages is further enhanced for the serious student with extensive chapter notes, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing; Revised edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819215090
• ISBN-13: 978-0819215093
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent History of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, October 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Prayer Book Through the Ages (Paperback)

This is the second edition of Reverend William Sydnor's history of the Book of Common Prayer. The author is a retired Episcopal priest who served for many years at the National Cathedral in Washington,D.C. The 156-page book is organized in 12 short chapters that read quickly. American Protestants of all denominations owe a substantial debt to the Anglican Church and, later, the American Episcopal Church for the rich spiritual heritage contained in the Book of Common Prayer. The Reverend William Sydnor guides the reader through the spiritual, political, and social changes in England and America that were the underlying reasons why new editions were needed for the Book of Common Prayer. Of particular interest to American readers will be Chapter 6, the first American Prayer Book of 1789. Since new American citizens did not want references to the British crown in their prayerbook, a new edition was needed. As a Presbyterian deacon, I came to appreciate our Anglican heritage of the Book of Common Prayer. It is recommended as a reference book for main-line Protestant denominations. Robert Hadley Sydnor

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent explanation of revisions., June 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prayer Book Through the Ages (Paperback)

As an Episcopalian, I have heard numerous comments over the past 20 years about the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, the last version adopted by the Episcopal Church. This book clearly explains how the book came into existence in England in the 16th century, and was subsequently revised 7 times. It makes the reasons for the changes very clear, as it makes very clear the need for making changes. Anyone who has resisted the changes should at least try to understand why they were made. This is the place to learn those reasons.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit polemical for my taste, May 23, 2010

By 

William T. Barto (Fairfax, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prayer Book Through the Ages (Paperback)

I read this book as part of a seminary course in liturgics. The first seven chapters of this book are an amazing compilation of liturgical developments relating to the Book of Common Prayer used in Anglican worship, and are worth reading by anyone interested in learning how the Prayer Book has developed over the years. The author is very knowledgeable as to the historical minutiae of Prayer Book development from 1549 through 1979. However, once the author turns to the process and substance of Prayer Book revision in this country during the twentieth century, his lack of objectivity detracts from the narration and analysis of liturgical development in American Anglicanism. He repeatedly uses demeaning language to describe those who resisted further revision of the Prayer Book, while using colorful, supportive adjectives to describe reformers, and asserts rather than establishes through argument that Prayer Book revision should properly be continuous and democratic. The book takes on the nature of a polemic towards the end when the author includes a series of short chapters whose basic purpose is argumentation in favor of a dynamic liturgical structure in Anglicanism. The author even includes an appendix whose only apparent purpose is to mock those who seek to preserve the historic form of the Prayer Book in North America: for example, he snarkily opines that an organization which opposes further Prayer Book revision should prune its mailing list, "for one wonders if its claimed membership was all above ground." I do not even necessarily disagree with much of what the author argues, but the manner in which he made his arguments in the last half of the book was unpersuasive and, quite frankly, somewhat unbecoming a priest of the church.