This history emphasizes the great diversity and adaptability that Baptists in North America have consistently exhibited and highlights the role of early Baptists as advocates of religious liberty, the separation of church and state, and universal healthcare; and it reflects on the reasons for the schisms that have arisen within the Baptist movement. Throughout, the author pays attention to different Baptist traditions, giving a rounded picture of the way they have taken shape in the United States and Canada. The book also includes statistical data, a timeline and lists of Baptists groups and related institutions, and a glossary of terms.