Robert F. Taft, a catholic priest, is a liturgical scholar and theologian of Christian rites of the East and the West. This book is a collection of essays by the author published previously in other journals. To be honest, this is not an easy book to read, but if you are interested in gaining insight of the Byzantine and Orthodox rites, this book is a good starter. I, as a Protestant Christian, particular enjoy the chapter on "liturgy as theology." ( )