An informative, well-designed study of how Americans expressed themselves religiously during a century in which the American frontier expanded rapidly and the idea of separation of church and state became an accepted doctrine of American law. One chapter, "Outsiders," covers Jews and African-American Christians, but the main focus is on white Christian America. Bib., ind.

Gr 8 Up-Interested students will find this authoritative, comprehensive, and well-balanced account a useful introduction to an important period of American history. During the 19th century, campaigns for the abolition of slavery, temperance, and a heavenly kingdom on earth all swept across the country, drawing many people away from their traditional spiritual homes. Wacker starts with the "Founders," who established the pattern of religious tolerance, and continues chronologically, covering the "Insiders," who brought evangelicalism to America; the "Visionaries," who spread millennial messages throughout the frontiers; the "Outsiders," including Native Americans, Jews, and African Americans; "Warriors," the Abolitionists; and "Immigrants," Roman Catholics. Maintaining a strong sense of objectivity, the author clearly presents each movement's views and activities in just a few paragraphs. His style is clear and fairly lively, and does not oversimplify complex events like the vicissitudes of the Mormons. Although many of these movements are reported in standard textbooks, they are not usually presented in such interesting or exciting detail, nor are the relationships to other events made as clear. The illustrations, black-and-white photographs and reproductions of contemporary portraits, broadsides, etc., are well captioned and keyed to the text; in most cases they add useful information. The author's fairness and generosity of understanding, especially in covering the "Outsiders," will encourage casual readers to learn more about these developments.-Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.