Common academic wisdom in the past few decades has said missionaries shattered indigenous cultures, or at the very least prepared the beaches for the landing of imperial forces. However, Porter (imperial history, King's College, London) finds the situation to be much more complex. Both the missionaries and the empire builders were often out of synch with each other and amongst themselves, a situation further complicated by theological conflicts not only in the ranks of the missionaries but also amongst their financial and spiritual supporters. As he traces the changes in intent and practice in the missionary movement, the picture that emerges is not at all monochromatic; goals changed, enthusiasm waxed and waned, and the very ethics of imperialism were challenged to the core when compared to the stated purpose of evangelical Protestantism. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)