Religion in American Life A Short History

Accessible and wide-ranging, A Short History of Religion in Americailluminates the rich spiritual heritage central to nearly every event inAmerican history. Jon Butler begins by describing the state of religious affairsin both the Old and New Worlds on the eve of colonization. He traces theprogress of religion in the colonies through the time of the AmericanRevolution, covering all the religious groups in the colonies: Protestants,Jews, Catholics, as well as the unique religious experiences of Native Americansand African Americans.Grant Wacker continues the story with a fascinating look at the ever-shiftingreligious landscape of 19th-century America. He focuses on the rapid growth ofevangelical Protestants-Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and others-andtheir competition for dominance over religions such as Catholicism and Judaism,which continued to increase with large immigrant arrivals from Ireland, EasternEurope, and other countries.The 20th century saw massive cultural changes. Randall Balmer discusses theeffects industrialization, modernization, and secularization had on new andestablished religions. He examines Protestants, Hindus, Jews, New Age believers,Mormons, Buddhists, Roman Catholics, and many more, providing a clear look intothe kaleidoscope of religious belief in modern-day America.

John Butler is William Robertson Coe Professor of American Studies and History and Professor of Religious Studies at Yale University.