Ritual theory and examination represent a chief component of recent work that has been published in cultural sociology and anthropology. Edward Muirs introduction recognizes this by affirming that his purpose is "not to explain ritual in a universally applicable way" but instead, his goal is to investigate rites and rituals during the historical period, which is early modern Europe. Naturally, one would anticipate that Muirs book is another dry addition to the realm of academia. However, what is surprising is that Muirs writing is not simply a tedious revision of classical or contemporary works on ritual; it is rather an inventive addition to ritual theory and social history. Muir explores rites and rituals from pre-Reformation as practices with concrete presences, to Reformation and post-Reformation practices as symbolization of meaning, to their adaptation from the spiritual world of society to the political and civic realm.
