Philosophy of religion, particularly some of the areas with which Hughes deals in this volume, is invariably a complex study, with many difficult and puzzling concepts. Gerard Hughes has an exceptional gift for probing the depths of these matters, while maintaining a clear, often engaging manner of expression. His exploration of the varied viewpoints, their history, and contemporary challenges to ideas is an exceptional presentation.
I particularly liked that, unlike some other authors, Hughes does not compromise on detail for the sake of making a complex topic sound, frankly, simpler than it is. This book is not the sort of introduction which one would use in a discussion group. It is suited as a university text or for those who already have some grounding in philosophy. Though it could not be a standalone text (classroom instruction would require considerable reference to primary sources), it is a superb, concise presentation of some of the more difficult matters in the field. For example, Hughes' treatment of divine simplicity, a concept which I find to be one of the more confusing in the area, is laudable, because it often is skirted in introductory texts.