About the Author

Martin E. Marty has taught at the University of Chicago in its Divinity School, its Department of History, and its Committee on the History of Culture. He is the author of more than forty books, including the three-volume "Modern American Religion"; "The One and the Many"; "Politics, Religion, and the Common Good"; and "Righteous Empire," which won the National Book Award. Marty has long been associated with the "Christian Century" as an editor and writer, and he is a past president of the American Academy of Religion, the American Society of Church History, and the American Catholic Historical Association.

Reviews

"An excellent overview of cultural unity that emerged from groups theologically at odds, showing when that consensus came apart and advising Protestants 'not [to] aspire to run the show but to serve where they managed, to partner where they controlled, to cooperate where they directed.'"--Susan Curtis, "Journal of Interdisciplinary History"

"An extremely valuable contribution to the conversation about interpretations of U.S. religion. Not since Edwin S. Gaustad's "Religion in America: History and Historiography" (1973) has there been a short volume that provides as helpful an overview of the field. This is essential reading for all scholars of American religious history."--Thomas A. Tweed, "Catholic Historical Review"

"In three delightfully witty and deceptively informal chapters, Martin Marty distills decades of research and reflection on religion in America. All who wish to understand not only the complex trajectory of American Protestantism from 1607 to the present but also the broader contours of American religious history--and indeed the nation itself--will welcome this book."--Paul S. Boyer, Editor-in-Chief, "The Oxford Companion to United States History"

"Once again, Martin Marty serves as our master guide to American Protestantism. With wonderful ease of expression, he couples a historic guide to the always plural nature of the American Protestant tradition with a provocative interpretation of efforts made by contemporary Protestant leaders to exert influence while no longer 'running the show.'"--R. Laurence Moore, Howard A. Newman Professor of American Studies / History, Cornell University

"Smoothly written and very brief distillation of some of his most important insights."--"American Studies"

"We should appreciate this elegant expression of Marty's insights and convictions, distilled from his long and distinguished career of reflecting on American Protestantism(s) and the pluralism that so deeply frames our twenty-first-century common life."--John F. Wilson, "Journal of Religion"

"With wonderful ease of expression, Marty couples a historic guide to the always plural nature of the American Protestant tradition with a provocative interpretation of efforts made by contemporary Protestant leaders to exert influence while no longer 'running the show.'"