'This study offers a competent and instructive overview of recent research on 1 Peter, continuing issues of debate, and new interpretive interests beyond the approach of social-scientific criticism. Generally seeking a middle ground between contending theories, Horrell's approach can lead to some curious if not untenable preferences such as viewing 1 Peter as urging 'polite resistance' to hostile outsiders. The question is not the politeness or incivility of the resistance required, but rather on what issues agreement with society's values is possible and where discipleship of Jesus calls for uncompromising non-conformity. On another front, the utility of post-colonial criticism is less than Horrell suggests if it is not Roman colonialism but local social hostility with which Christian resident aliens were contending. On the whole, Horrell's grasp of the subject matter and his skill at succinctly summarizing complex problems and fairly assessing divergent views makes this a volume ideally designed for the general reader, as well as for the classroom and preacher's study.' - John H. Elliott, University of San Francisco, CA, USA in the Expository Times.