Book excerpt: "While widely known and admired, Quakers are too often known only superficially. The A to Z of the Friends (Quakers) clears up these superficialities by digging deeper into the Society's past and present. The dictionary's numerous cross-referenced entries describe its origins and history, its current situation in many different countries, basic concepts and practices, and views on important contemporary issues, as well as leading figures and founders. The chronology shows the Society's progression over time, and the bibliography points the way to further reading."--BOOK JACKET.