Fortress Introduction to the History of Christianity in the United States

by Nancy Koester

This thorough and lively overview of Christian history in the United States, from colonial times to the present, is informed by both classical and recent scholarship and is written for the non-specialist. Four key insights frame the book. Christianity in (1) is chiefly a story of popular movements, (2) is influenced by conflict and engagement with modern ideas, (3) directly affects public life, and (4) expresses its identity and seeks its mission in a pluralistic culture. Unlike many histories, Koester offers ample coverage of Protestant, Evangelical, and Roman Catholic developments. Includes black & white illustrations, maps, glossary, and other study aids.

Genres: History

239 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Elijah Newcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retiring Samford professor had this up for grabs several years ago, and I finally got to it. These are just the facts, baby. No fluff, no fun, no fancy phrases. It is what it claims to be — an introduction, about 197 pages. I give it three stars because it does what it says pretty well, and my expectation that it would do something different was a result of my own lack of critical thinking, not the book's.

[Amu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written introduction to religion in USA. I can warmly recommend this book to anyone who is interested to get a common idea about the theme. Also many good suggestions for further reading are included.

[Michael]

As dry as overcooked, unbuttered toast.