Dunn (emeritus divinity, U. of Durham, England) presents the second volume in a trilogy tracing and examining the history of Christianity's beginnings well into the second century. It covers from 30 to 70 CE, emphasizing source documents and historical data from the period that is available to modern scholars, but also draws on, or at least considers, as much secondary literature as he deems relevant to illuminate the source material. He begins by explaining his theory and approach, and describing the sources he uses. Then he looks at the first phase from the earliest communities through Peter's emergence and mission, Paul as apostle to the gentiles, and the end of the beginning to the legacy of the first-generation leadership. The first volume is Jesus Remembered. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)