The Bully Pulpit: The Politics of Protestant Clergy (Studies in Government and Public Policy Series)

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Summary: Wonderful Depiction of Religious Movements in the U.S.
Review: In this book, Guth explores a realm of American politics usually left untouched: the religious movements. The first quarter of the book is devoted to presenting a brief history of religious movements in the U.S. from early American history to the present. This is done concisely but masterfully. He spends the rest of the book presenting the findings of a case study on a number of American religious denominations and their individual political movements. The research done on this is superb and presents a very accurate (though unexpected) picture of religious movements in politics today. I commend Dr. Guth on a job well done. Anyone at all interested in studying the effects religious groups, from the liberal leftist groups of the 60s and 70s to the new Christian Right should read this book. If only someone would now study Catholic movements in American politics in the same depth, we would have an almost complete picture of the role Christians have played (and continue to p! lay) in politics today.

Rating:
Summary: Bravo to Guth!!!
Review: James L. Guth strikes again with a poignant, informed, yet readable study of the politics of the Protestant clergy. Readers will marvel at Guth's pure genius in deducing the ins and outs of Protestant political history, movements, and regimes. You won't be able to put it down--I read the entire text, some 200-odd pages, in just one sitting. Guth has produced a definitive volume which will set the standard in his field for years to come. Bravo to James L. Guth!