Very interesting look into Patrick Henry College, the institution of higher education that was formed with the intent of shaping conservative leaders for political advancement in Washington DC. The author served as religion reporter for The Washington Post, so she has professional credentials but be warned that there are times when her personal views insert themselves in her handling of the subject. Still its a worthwhile and thought-provoking read. ( )

All should read!!!! ( )

God's Harvard recounts Hanna Rosin's experiences at Patrick Henry College, an evangelical Christian school with an emphasis on careers in politics. I was expecting something along the lines of Bob Jones University, but most of the staff and students from PHC come across as being very intelligent and self-aware as Rosin writes them. This is not a book intended to mock the evangelical Christian right, only to explore their fascinating and minority lifestyles. A good read ( )

I didn't have any expectations one way or another when I started reading this book. By the end, though, I was hooked. Rosin does a great job taking a pretty fair look at a "fundamentalist" university. The book examines life at Patrick Henry University in Northern Virginia. The school's mission is to provide a cadre of well-trained and well-connected young women and men to promote conservative Christian principles in the arts, the media, politics and business.

I've spent a fair amount of time in fundamentalist circles and this book gets down the essence of the movement just about right. Rather than the banjo-strumming hayseeds we see portrayed in the media, Christian conservatives are well educated, well-spoken and entirely reasonable.

That's not to say that I agree with the mission of places like Patrick Henry. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that they alarm me to some extent. But to demean these people's faith and commitment serves no good and does not seem to exhibit a commitment to democratic tolerance. God's Harvard really helps promote understanding between groups and people who don't tend to see eye-to-eye. ( )