This is a fine book which covers a small portion of the United States (mainly 10 counties in northeast Mississippi) where Stone-Campbell religious heritage churches were planted in the early 19th century and later.

I was particularly fascinated to learn a bit more of William M. "Billy" Brown, who had also preached at the church in Bloomington, Illinois sometime during the 1840-1850 decade. Here are notes I jotted down relating to Brown, as well as on a couple other persons with Illinois connections:

16-17, Brother Brown [W. M. Brown] of Illinois has been with us for some weeks. (In Columbus, 7 April 1852).

20, William M. Brown of Illinois was chaplain if 38th Reg. of Illinois Vol.

53, W. M. Brown of Illinois preached at Columbus prior to 1861.

68, J. W. McGarvey, Jr. (1857-1911) died same year as his father. Buried together in Lexington, Kentucky.

58-59, William M. Brown (Illinois) bio sketch.

72-73, Alexander Graham (1811-1851) preached at Springfield, Illinois 1837-1838.

The bulk of the book does not cover Illinois, of course. I was pleased to be able to learn details relating to many people and places in Mississippi, including during the Civil War years (19-28).

A strength of the book is that it includes many photos of people, church buildings, and other items, all of which help communicate the story. A fine bibliography is included. I wish there were an index, but I realize that would have involved a great deal of work and expense.

I am pleased with the quality of the book and am happy to have read it. My thanks to the authors for all the work they did to produce such a work. ( )