AMERICA'S RELIGIONS: Traditions and Cultures

by Peter W. Williams

In a review in the Journal of Religion, the famed Martin Marty characterized Peter Williams as "a productive wonder" and America's Traditions and Cultures as "a rich resource for readers who would like a 'state of the art' comment on the abundant religious phenomena which surround them".Writing in Religion and American Culture, Stephen J. Stein said the book is "not a story of religion in isolation from the rest of American life", but a work that has as a major emphasis the theme of Americanization, of the symbiotic relationship between religions and cultures.Williams's book widely considered the best of its kind, is a comprehensive introduction to the religious history of the United States and the traditions out of which it arose, from colonial times through the late twentieth century. Now including an updated bibliography, it presents descriptions of major religious traditions and introduces distinctive American innovations. Included are not only Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, but African American, Native American, and Asian American traditions. The peace churches, "liberal" churches, and Mormonism also are discussed.

488 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1989

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed this book for a college course, and I still pick it up now and then when I hear about a particular religion and want to know more about it, especially in the context of America. I think there's a newer version of it now, but this is pretty good.