Common Prayer – one begins to wonder if there is such a thing! Common Worship is anything but common, with so many seasonal variations and authorised additional material. So to this book – all 586 pages of it. ‘Liturgy is a workout for the imagination’ \[introduction p12\]: if the authors see this as a workout, I’d not like to tackle their assault course! This almanac of worship provides us with – in this order: 1.A series of 7 forms of simple evening worship on a weekly pattern 2.366 acts of daily worship with readings on a calendar pattern starting in Advent 3.A mid-day office 4.Occasional prayers 5.A songbook of 52 items drawn from a wide range of sources The major part of the book – over 500 pages – is morning prayer. On each day there is something about someone whose feast or commemoration day it is, or an event’s anniversary – Hiroshima Day, Kristallnacht for example; a responsory; some psalm verses – usually no more than 4 or 5; 2 Biblical readings; prayer for others and a closing prayer. To someone who uses the common worship daily office, this office appears thin in contrast: HOWEVER for someone looking for a simple daily pattern of worship it is ideal. The book is unmistakeably American – but it is none the worse for that: its authors being a Baptist, who is Director of the School for Conversion, a writer/artist/editorial consultant and the founder of The Simple Way, a radical faith community based in inner-city Philadelphia. I found the December-November format both familiar and comforting, though I cannot imagine using the book myself. I particularly liked the 12 full page woodcuts which form the monthly frontispiece. The book is bound with a single ribbon marker – surely for regular use it needs at least 4. I neither commend nor condemn this book – it is up to each individual to make up their own mind but it is worth repeating words from above: ‘for someone looking for a simple daily pattern of worship it is ideal’.