"In its broadest terms," say editors Bremer (history, Millersville U. of Pennsylvania, US) and Webster (history, U. of Edinburgh, UK), "puritanism in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was an agenda calling for furthering the perfection of Protestant reform, and it was to be found throughout the British Isles and in the English colonies abroad." Such a description will have to suffice in describing the contents of this two-volume encyclopedia on puritanism, because contributors have not been asked to agree on any single definition. The first volume is dedicated to 381 brief biographies of important individuals in the history of the religious movement that focus on the relevant religious characteristics or contributions of the individual. The second volume contains 195 alphabetical entries on ideas, events, and issues, with a representative sampling of entry titles including antinomianism, angels, broadsides, Cambridge Agreement, law in puritan New England, New Model Army, theater and opposition, and witchcraft. These entries are followed by a glossary and 26 primary documents, including Anne Hutchinson's trial statement, a 1638 description of Boston, town covenants, and Cotton's Catechism. Both volumes include a chronology. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)