The book *Sociology of Religion: An Historical Introduction* by Roberto Cipriani, translated by Laura Ferrarotti, and introduced by Howard G. Schneiderman, provides a comprehensive overview of the sociology of religion. The book is divided into several parts, covering the historical-philosophical background, the work of classical sociologists like Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, and Freud, contemporary perspectives, and recent developments such as secularization. Cipriani traces the origins of the sociology of religion from the presociological ideas of figures like Giambattista Vico to the mid-19th century works of David Hume and Friedrich Schleiermacher. He then discusses the contributions of Auguste Comte, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Henri Bergson, before moving on to the classical sociologists who laid the foundation for the discipline, including Durkheim, Weber, and Simmel. The book also includes discussions on psychologists like Freud and William James, who, while not sociologists, have influenced the field. The contemporary section features anthropologists, historians, and theologians, highlighting the diverse approaches to the study of religion. The book concludes with a discussion on recent developments, such as the functional theories of Talcott Parsons and the work of Ernest Troeltsch, who is often overlooked in favor of other founders. Schneiderman's introduction reflects on the state of the sociology of religion, noting its narrowness and lack of focus, and suggests that the discipline needs to move beyond its classical foundations to embrace a broader range of theories and methods. He argues that the sociology of religion has been influenced by political sociology, which has often treated religion as an ideological construct rather than a distinct social force. Schneiderman calls for a more expansive approach that recognizes the complexity and diversity of religious phenomena. Overall, the book serves as a valuable resource for both students and established scholars, providing a detailed map of the sociology of religion and its historical development.The book *Sociology of Religion: An Historical Introduction* by Roberto Cipriani, translated by Laura Ferrarotti, and introduced by Howard G. Schneiderman, provides a comprehensive overview of the sociology of religion. The book is divided into several parts, covering the historical-philosophical background, the work of classical sociologists like Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, and Freud, contemporary perspectives, and recent developments such as secularization. Cipriani traces the origins of the sociology of religion from the presociological ideas of figures like Giambattista Vico to the mid-19th century works of David Hume and Friedrich Schleiermacher. He then discusses the contributions of Auguste Comte, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Henri Bergson, before moving on to the classical sociologists who laid the foundation for the discipline, including Durkheim, Weber, and Simmel. The book also includes discussions on psychologists like Freud and William James, who, while not sociologists, have influenced the field. The contemporary section features anthropologists, historians, and theologians, highlighting the diverse approaches to the study of religion. The book concludes with a discussion on recent developments, such as the functional theories of Talcott Parsons and the work of Ernest Troeltsch, who is often overlooked in favor of other founders. Schneiderman's introduction reflects on the state of the sociology of religion, noting its narrowness and lack of focus, and suggests that the discipline needs to move beyond its classical foundations to embrace a broader range of theories and methods. He argues that the sociology of religion has been influenced by political sociology, which has often treated religion as an ideological construct rather than a distinct social force. Schneiderman calls for a more expansive approach that recognizes the complexity and diversity of religious phenomena. Overall, the book serves as a valuable resource for both students and established scholars, providing a detailed map of the sociology of religion and its historical development.