Religion has played a complex; vibrant; and multifaceted role in our nation's history. One of the most effective ways to help students explore its vitality is through primary sources. American Religions: A Documentary History is the only one-volume; up-to-date collection of primary sources available for American religious history courses. Featuring a creative dual structure--the readings are arranged both chronologically and thematically--this indispensable sourcebook can be used in both historically and topically organized courses. Balancing canonical works with those by newly discovered voices; American Religions: A Documentary History includes seventy-five classic and contemporary selections from the colonial period through the present day. It offers readings by a uniquely wide range of religiously; socially; and ethnically diverse writers: theological conservatives and liberals; northerners and southerners; women and men; and African Americans and Mexican Americans alongside Anglo-Americans. The selections are long enough to stimulate serious discussion yet concise enough for students to digest easily. The volume is organized into six sections that cover different chronological periods; each of which contains writings on five themes: theological reflections; ritual and performance; spiritual autobiography; interreligious conflict and negotiation; and more expansive conceptualizations of religion. Enhanced by brief biographies of the authors; a general introduction; and section introductions; the text also includes two sample syllabi--one oriented toward a historical approach and the other toward a thematic approach. Ideal for introductory courses in religion in America and American religious history--taught both in religious studies and history departments--American Religions: A Documentary History offers students a broad yet in-depth and engaging gateway into the subject.
#581489 in Books Don E Fehrenbacher 2002-12-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.70 x 1.30 x 8.90l; 1.38 #File Name: 0195158059480 pagesThe Slaveholding Republic An Account of the United States Government s Relations to Slavery
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very good book about the History of Slavery in the USABy S. CeulemansA very good book about the History of Slavery in the USA.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A point of view average Americans may not be familiar withBy peorThe late Don Fehrenbacher; in his time the foremost authority on Abraham Lincoln; his times and the thirty or so years preceding the Civil War and the editor of the two volumes of Lincoln Speeches and Letters published by the Library of America; presents the evidence for the view that the United States; from its inception in 1787 were a slaveholding republic; the North tolerated every move that the South made in defense if their 'peculiar institution' and gave way to every threat during the Missouri Compromise in 1920; the admission of Texas in 1848; the compromise of 1850; the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 1854; the Dred Scott case in 1857; and; finally found its backbone in the person of Abraham Lincoln; who called the South's bluff; unfortunately at a cost that the United States have not yet completely recovered from in 2014; but which his predecessors forced onto him .Impartially written; with meticulous documentation; and with an easy to read style; it gives a fresh and not the usual interpretation to a lot of of our nineteenth century .2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent discussion that few if any other works discuss in this wayBy A ReaderI've had this book for a while; I grabbed it when available in bookstores. Prof. Don Fehrenbacher was my teacher in an undergraduate course in 19th century American history. It shook my conventional thinking as history was taught then. I took my class notes home to my mother who taught high-school American History.I've finally begun to read the book in earnest. It is highly readable and cover the discussion of slavery; the antebellum environment and the discussion of slavery in a way that that is original and no other book I've discover does. It covers constitutional creation of slavery; and how the notions of what the constitution changed over time. It covers the issues slavery debate in the beginnings; the territories; foreign relations; etc.I have no negative comments. It is admirably finished by Ward McAfee and I thank him for doing so that the book could reach our eyes and minds.
