Religion in American History

Throughout the history of the United States, religion contributed both to forces of diversity, fragmentation, and factionalism, and also to the need for union and a sense of cultural belonging. Bringing together a team of the world s leading scholars in the field, this book provides a cutting edge interpretation about the place of religion in American history and its impact across a range of issues, from identity formation and politics, to race, gender, and class.

With a crisp and engaging style, Religion in American History is a comprehensive introduction to the field of American religious history, ranging from the earliest contact between Europeans and Native Americans, right through to the present day. It is accessibly structured in to four key eras covering: exploration and encounter (1492 1676); the Atlantic world (1676 1802); American empire (1803 1898); and global reach (1898 present). Blending together a chronological approach with thematic organization, the chapters reference each other in ways that make possible interconnections between historical periods and among the different areas of religious life.

How to use this book.

Notes on contributors.

Introduction, John Corrigan and Amanda Porterfield.

PART I: Exploration and Encounter (1492–1676).

1. Politics, Amanda Porterfield.

2. Cosmology, John Corrigan.

3. Community, Sarah Rivett.

4. Practice, Tracy Neal Leavelle.

PART II: Atlantic World (1676–1802).

5. Politics, Jon Sensbach.

6. Cosmology, Stephen Marini.

7. Community, Kenneth P. Minkema.

8. Practice, Martha L. Finch.

PART III: American Empire (1803–1898).

9. Politics, Mark A. Noll.

10. Cosmology, Robert Fuller.

11. Community, Heather D. Curtis.

12. Practice, Christopher White.

PART IV: Global Reach (1898–Present).

13. Politics, Charles H. Lippy.

14. Cosmology, Kathryn Lofton.

15. Community, Peter W. Williams.

16. Practice, Candy Gunther Brown.

Index.

Amanda Porterfield is Robert A. Spivey Professor of Religion and Professor of History at Florida State University. She has written books on the New England Puritans, Protestant women missionaries in the 19th century, and the transformation of American religion after 1960. Her publications include The Transformation of American Religion: The Story of a Late–Twentieth Century Awakening (2001); American Religious History (ed., Wiley–Blackwell, 2002); and The Protestant Experience in America (2006).

John Corrigan is the Lucius Moody Bristol Distinguished Professor of Religion and Professor of History at Florida State University. He has published extensively on American religious history, religion and emotion, religious intolerance, and religion and spatiality. His recent books include The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion (2008) and Religious Intolerance in America: A Documentary History (with Lynn Neal, 2010).

At a time when the role of faith and belief in American life is receiving renewed attention, this is a valuable introduction to the nation s religious heritage.   (Journal of Ecclesiastical History, 1 July 2012)