This book portrays the story of the Mennonite Brethren: their Anabaptist roots and backgrounds, beginnings and expansion in Russia. Following immigration to the U.S.A. and Canada, new congregations were organized here. Various institutions and aspects of conference life are outlined and analyzed. Finally, the missionary outreach is summarized. Portraits, maps and tables illustrate the text.

Each chapter blends the general with the particular, the abstract with the concrete. The author, John A. Toews, is aware of the political, social and cultural forces that have influenced the life and witness of the church. He has maintained a balance between historical objectivity and personal conviction.

The Board of Christian Literature of the U.S. and Canadian Conferences of Mennonite Brethren Churches was commissioned to oversee the writing of this history, which was published in 1975. The scanned version is the 2nd printing, released in 1982.