Edwin Scott Gaustad (1923–2011)

A Documentary History of Religion in America
by Edwin S. Gaustad, Heath W. Carter, and Mark A. Noll

This in-depth look at religion in North America uses first person documents to trace religious beliefs and their impact on exploration, interaction with others, politics, war, societal issues and more. It was originally two volumes that have been condensed into one large book that will no doubt be used to teach courses and also be used as a reference source.

Eight chapters that cover nearly 800 show more pages include photos, documents, letters, impressions, tweets, interviews and other first person documents that assist in giving insight into at least what those spotlighted were thinking and feeling when they recorded what they did. As with any such first person narrative – there will be bias. And, though what is recorded is personal truth it very well may not be the total truth or give insight into what others of the time may have thought and felt. Each chapter has supplemental suggested reading relevant to the information presented. I am not sure what guidelines were adopted by the current editors of this tome but do admire them for undertaking this herculean task.

Thank you to NetGalley and Willam B. Erdman’s Plublishing Company for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars show less

The first edition of this mammoth book was published in 1982 and edited by Edwin Gaustad (1923-2011). His aim was in part ‘to enable the “amateur” to reconstruct the religious history of America with the building blocks provided here’. The first three editions of the book comprised two volumes. This fourth edition is a condensed one-volume edition and takes us from the sixteenth century up to the Trump presidency. Inevitably this has meant a reduction in the number of documents form show more the first editions but also the inclusion of newer documents.

Heath Carter has taken up the reins from Gusted and Mark Noll, who co-edited the third (2003) edition. The format here is similar to the previous incarnations. But Carter has taken the opportunity to update ‘some of the contents and approaches in order to reflect the latest scholarship in the field’ (xvii). He also puts the focus on public rather than private aspects of religion.
What is presented here is an impressive display of primary sources and illustrations. Each of the chapters has an introduction as well as an impressive number of primary sources and end with an annotated list of suggested readings.

Typical of the chapters is the final chapter 8: ‘Into the new millennium’. It begins with a brief 4-page overview and then under the headings of Pluralism and politics, Trauma and transition, Religion and national upheaval has selections from diverse a range of writers and social commentators as Billy Graham, George W. Bush, Albert Mohler, Jr., Jim Wallis, and interviews with Arsalan Iftikhar and Eric Metaxas reading the Trump presidency. The chapter concludes with a two-page essay on suggested reading.

This book will invaluable for anyone interested in the wide range of religion in America. It lives up to the aim of its original editor in that any amateur will find plenty of building blocks here to understand the religious history of America. show less

The span of time the book covers and the huge diversity of religions did limit the depth to which the author could cover any one topic. He lends much weight to social and political pressures and seemingly very little weight to the core religious philosophy. While the former certainly plays a role, the latter dominates what it means to be a religion, that assertion of some universal truth that affects, or ought to affect, our lives in a deep and meaningful way. This book is great for random show more trivia and has a few insightful gems, but overall it's barely adequate for a good understanding of any of the religious movements involved. show less

This slim book covers Franklin's life in 124 pages. It was a great introduction to both Franklin and American history. I found myself thinking, "Oh I didn't know/realize that ..." as I went along. Gaustad does a serviceable job of distilling Benjamin Franklin's life to "just the facts."

Recommended for anyone wanting a quick introduction to the great man and the beginnings of the United States.