In his highly praised book Faith and the Presidency; Gary Scott Smith cast a revealing light on the role religion has played in presidential politics throughout our nation's history; offering comprehensive; even-handed examinations of the role of religion in the lives; politics; and policies of eleven presidents. Now; in Religion in the Oval Office; Smith takes on eleven more of our nation's most interesting and influential chief executives: John Adams; James Madison; John Quincy Adams; Andrew Jackson; William McKinley; Herbert Hoover; Harry Truman; Richard Nixon; George H. W. Bush; Bill Clinton; and Barack Obama. Drawing on a wide range of sources and paying close attention to historical context and America's shifting social and moral values; he examines their religious beliefs; commitments; affiliations; and practices and scrutinizes their relationships with religious leaders and communities. The result is a fascinating account of the ways in which religion has helped shape the course of our history. From John Quincy Adams' treatment of Native Americans; to Harry Truman's decision to recognize Israel; to Bill Clinton's promotion of religious liberty and welfare reform; to Barack Obama's policies on poverty and gay rights; Smith shows how strongly our presidents' religious commitments have affected policy from the earliest days of our nation to the present. Together with Faith and the Presidency; Religion in the Oval Office provides the most comprehensive examination of the inseparable and intriguing relationship between faith and the American presidency. This book will be invaluable to anyone interested in the presidency and the role of religion in politics.
#1191941 in Books 2014-05-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.10 x 6.20 x 10.30l; .0 #File Name: 01993701841728 pages
Review
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful. Former translations were at best sketchy approximations to the Sanskrit textBy Tom CabotFirst scholarly edition in English in over a hundred years. That says it all - and the publication of such a translation has been a greatly desired and long awaited event. Former translations were at best sketchy approximations to the Sanskrit text; and while it is admitted that no translation will fully reveal the meanings of the original in its written form; we are far better served by this one; based as it is on a long history of intense scholarship on the culture; language; and religion of the Vedic people; than ever we were previously. There is an 80+ page introduction giving the essence of contemporary scholarship and an overview of Vedic culture along with short accounts of each of the principle Vedic deities; and each hymn/poem has its own short introduction giving some view of the meaning; poetics; and ritual underpinnings involved. Of course; it is quite expensive; and many will still be adequately served for the price by Wendy Doniger's selections. But if you can afford it; this is the text to buy.10 of 12 people found the following review helpful. A landmarkBy David FowlerI met Professor Brereton in 2005 as he was working on this translation...finally; it is here; the first member of the Indo-European literary tradition; translated; in full; in English. The translators; Joel Brereton and Stephanie Jamison; are masters of this complex language and material and one could thus hardly imagine a better team to produce this long awaited translation. Though I have not read the entire translation yet; in reading prominent hymns; my sense is that the result is excellent and we profit greatly from a combination of ample introductory materials; introductions to briefly set up each hymn; as well as fresh renderings of the hymns themselves. Without doubt this is THE standard translation and will likely remain so just as long as its previous English incarnation - some 100 years.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Boriana KoubadinskaThe book is very good and useful for my diploma work; the best I have on the Rigveda
