Tim Dowley is a historian as well as a prolific author and editor of Bible resources for adults and children. He has written popular biographies of J. S. Bach and Robert Schumann. His previous books include Introduction to the History of Christianity and My First Story of Easter.

The Christians: An Illustrated History surveys the development of Christianity from the time of Jesus to the present day. Writing in an accessible, topical style, the author covers subjects that continue to influence the church and society today. The book is thematically organised and chapters include: Defining faith, Monasticism, Papacy, Orthodoxy, Reformation, Islam and Christianity, Faith and Reason, the Church Year and Ecumenism. The book also surveys key figues such as: Paul, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Innocent III, Abelard, Francis of Assisi, Wyclif, Aquinas, Luther, Loyola, Spener, Moody, Barth, CS Lewis, and Billy Graham. The book is international in scope and is illustrated throughout with full-colour art, photographs, maps, charts and box material.