Informal Book Review: Providence and the Invention of the United States 1607-1876

I am not a big fan of religious history, but my uncle (who is also an historian) begged me to read this book. To be honest, I had never even heard of the author before. Once my uncle sent me to book, it sat on the top of the booksehelf for over 3 months. I finally decided to simply thumb through it, just to appease my stubborn uncle. Once I opened the book though, I was not able to put it down. This books is simply fantastic! I realize that we've been debating in recent posting how certain historians either promote or demean American history to a fanatical degree. Nicholas Guyatt, however, does a wonderful job of giving both sides of the story. He is neither a religious zealot or a secular scholar. He simply tells the history as it was (and is one heck of a writer might I add).

The book's main focus centers on the religious nature of colonial America, and how those religious standards helped to shape American society for both the good and bad. There is a trmendous amount of attention given to the history of the American Revolution, and what various religions and preachers were thinking at the time.

I cannot say enough about this book. If I had a "Top 10 List" of books, this one would easily make it. I reccomend it to all of you. Believe me, you will not be wasting your time. I think Brad and Brian will especially appreciate it, since they love religious history. I would also reccomend the book to be our featured book for March. It is simply that good.

Needless to say, the book gets an A+!!!