In the course of the sixteenth century the Reformation tore apart the social and religious structures of Western Europe. Certainties were challenged, and the effects remain to this day. Any movement which combined religion and politics is likely to be the cause of controversy and this, coupled with the complexities of the period, make the task of the author of A Very Short Introduction great indeed. Happily, Peter Marshal has done a fine job. Rather than tackle the events chronologically he has taken a thematic approach and this has enabled him to isolate the threads of society, politics, culture and doctrine before weaving them back together to tell the story. The approach results in a clear picture and one which is both balanced and well considered. There is a useful chapter on the cultural impact of the Protestant Reformation - a much debated issue -and also a welcome inclusion of a discussion on the 'others' who sat on the fringes of events. In this way, for example, the Anabaptists find their voice. In all this is a clearly written and well illustrated account of a notoriously difficult period. The book constitutes a good starting point for the general reader.