Catholicism has grown from a suppressed and persecuted outsiders' religion in the American colonies to become the nation's single largest denomination. James Fisher surveys more than four centuries of Catholics' involvement in American history; starting his narrative with one of the first Spanish expeditions to Florida; in 1528. He follows the transformation of Catholicism into one of America's most culturally and ethnically diverse religions; including the English Catholics' early settlement in Maryland; the Spanish missions to the Native Americans; the Irish and German poor who came in search of work and farmland; the proliferation of Polish and Italian communities; and the growing influx of Catholics from Latin America. The book discusses Catholic involvement in politics and conflict; from New York's Tammany Hall to the Vietnam War and abortion. Fisher highlights the critical role of women in American Catholicism--from St. Elizabeth Seton and Dorothy Day to Mother Cabrini; the first American citizen to be canonized a saint--and describes the influence of prominent American Catholics such as Cardinal John J. O'Connor; 1930s radio personality Father Charles Coughlin; President John F. Kennedy; pacifists Daniel and Philip Berrigan; activist Cesar Chavez; and author Flannery O'Connor. For this new edition; Fisher has brought the story up to date; including the latest struggles within the American church leadership.
#875923 in Books 2008-07-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 4.70 x .60 x 6.60l; .46 #File Name: 0195314344272 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great Little Book!By A. LaPlantThis simi-autobiographical story of Walter Lenoir brings the period before; during; and after the Civil War to life. Told through journal entries laced together by the author using careful research and other primary sources this great little book helps us understand the hard decisions that were made during the Civil War. Why volunteer to fight for the Confederates cause if you profess to be against slavery? Why would one brother choose to fight for the North while another would choose the South? An interesting look into these and many other issues that illustrate the Civil War era.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. NW North Carolina HeritageBy BeachMountainMan2012"The Making of a Confederate: Walter Lenoir's Civil War" is an interesting view into what made one man commit his life to the Southern Cause of the Confederacy. Although a slave-holder; he did not actually enjoy the problems associated with slavery; nor did any of his family; and it was NOT the reason that he fought the war. He was of the "landed aristocracy" of NW North Carolina but NOT a proponent of slavery; in fact; he wished to move to a non-slaveholding state before the war began. However; once Lincoln called for a massing of troops to fight the secessionist South; Lenoir felt honor-bound; much like Robert E. Lee; to fight for his state and its right to govern itself. He did so; and lost a leg in the process. This book follows him before; during and after the war and shows how a man evolves due to the choices that he makes. I would highly recommend this book to others interested in Southern history; North Carolina history; and/or "Civil" War history. I would particularly recommend this book to those North Carolinians interested in the history of NW North Carolina.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Superb and Subtle HistoryBy ALHI'm astonished that a previous reviewer attacked the book because the author does not approve of slave owning. He doesn't. Who does? Neither did the Lenoir family members; who did own slaves. William Barney carefully shows how Walter Lenoir himself hated to punish his slaves but did it anyway to set an example for the other slaves; and how Lenoir like many other Southerners of his time; despised slavery but depended on it. To him; it was evil but necessary. The war itself and its aftermath is what turned Lenoir into a confederate; and Barney traces that change in thought and attitude subtly in clear;enjoyable prose. The book is a beautiful portrait to a troubled and in many ways admirable man and his times.
