A Capsule History of Baptists by Bruce T. Gourley is a concise, compelling, and refreshingly accessible survey of 400 years of Baptist witness and identity. Crafted from a freedom-centric perspective, Gourley’s narrative invites readers into the global Baptist story through vivid storytelling, careful scholarship, and an unflinching exploration of the movement’s complexities and contradictions. Designed for both individual readers and classroom settings, this 128-page volume includes suggested readings for those who wish to dig deeper.

What sets this book apart is Gourley’s ability to pack rich historical insight into a fast-moving, reader-friendly format. He addresses perennial Baptist tensions—Calvinism vs. Arminianism, autonomy vs. connectionalism, missionary zeal vs. primitivism—while centering the enduring Baptist commitment to voluntary religion and church-state separation. The book opens with a provocative line: “Prison bars and hostile courts on two continents during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries fueled freedom movements unlike any the world had ever known…”—and the story only becomes more gripping from there.

Gourley offers a panoramic snapshot of the global Baptist movement and shines especially in his interpretation of recent decades. He broadens the narrative beyond the usual American, southern, white, male framework, lifting up the voices of laypeople, women, and lesser-known Baptists. He tackles racism, sexism, fundamentalism, and consumerism head-on and even explores how Baptists are engaging with 21st-century technology.

This capsule history isn’t just a quick read—it’s an essential read. Take your time and enjoy it. It’s sure to inspire reflection, discussion, and perhaps even a renewed commitment to the Baptist vision of freedom.