The Religious History of America The Heart of the American Story from Colonial Times to Today

The Religious History of America The Heart of the American Story from Colonial Times to Today

A Dynamic Account of Religion's Central Role in American History

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars A Great Overview
This revision of 'The Religious History of America' by Gaustad and Schmidt is a wonderful and balanced overview of the religious history of the U.S.A., as the title claims. The first review here is very through so I will be brief. These two professors of religion discuss the cultural, political, and economic influences that helped shaped religion in America throughout its history.

The book starts with the state of Native American religions before the first colonist set foot on the land. And then properly shows that the first colonies were Catholic and established by Spain and Portugal. The oldest city in the U.S.A. is the Spanish Settlement of Saint Augustine in Florida. It also covers the early expeditions of the French in both the north and south regions of North America. It was only later that the Anglican and English settlements that we learn about in our history textbooks started to form in what we would later call the thirteen colonies.

The book then covers topics that include the Puritans in New England, separation of church and state, slavery, the growth of the church in the twentieth century, and the effect that war has on religion. You will read of how the growth of such a great diversity of religion came to be in the U.S.A. This is a very interesting read. This book also has an extensive bibliography for further reading and a good index. This is the book I would choose if I had to teach an introductory course in religious history in America.

3 Stars Good overview but . . .
This book gives a good overview of the Religious history of America during most of the book but it begins to falter near the end. The authors completely leave out the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. As the authro writes about more recent events, a bias seems to creap in. The activities of the religious left have a tone of approval while the activites of the religious right are written with a tone of disapproval.

5 Stars Readble, Interesting and Informative
The author knows his subject and knows how to write as well. Sometimes in academia that is not the case. I have purchased other books by Gaustad. I have found them all to be quality, comprehensive and comprehendable. Enjoyable reads.

5 Stars A Marvelous Tapestry of Grand Arguments
Gaustad and Schmidt weave a gigantic tapestry of stories, heroes, movements, and culture wars, over the whole history of American religious life. A lot of Americans feel their country's history reveals the journey of God's people no less than the history of ancient Israel. And why not? Like that ancient history book, this one captures an epic series of running arguments between revolutionaries, imperialists, feminists, racists, egalitarians, ethnic purists, universalists, legalists, holy rollers or apocalyptic fanatics, all upholding their visions of justice, truth, and beauty. The story Gaustad and Schmidt present meets the literalist criteria of truth, because all those voices really spoke. The book provides a grand overview of the discussion, that helps us choose which voices will shape our lives.

–author of "Different Visions of Love"

5 Stars Terrific book!
This book is a text for my church history class. It presents detailed information of the development of church structure from the earliest colonial days. It is interesting to learn how the denominations influenced certain colonies and the strife between the Church of England and the 'upstart' separatist groups. Very interesting!!

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