American Religious History

By: Patrick N. Allitt, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Have you ever wondered why America, unlike virtually any other industrial nation, continues to show so much religious vitality? Or why are the varieties of religion found in the United States are so numerous and diverse? In this vigorous series of 24 lectures, Professor Allitt argues that the best way to look for explanations of this truly remarkable vitality and diversity is to study the nation's religious history.

That's a task, though, that involves more than simply examining religion from the directions you might expect, including its formal beliefs, its ideas, its communal or institutional loyalties, and its styles of worship. It also requires looking at religion's influence on life "beyond the pews" - investigating the subtle but important links that have long brought religion into close contact with the intellectual, social, economic, and political concerns of Americans, such as Martin Luther King Jr. using a mixture of biblical references and appeals to patriotism to press the case for civil rights.

The lectures also address American religion as a sensory experience - a phenomenon whose deep spiritual and social meanings can in part be seen in the design of churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples; heard in the sounds of hymns, prayers, and chants; smelled in Catholic or Buddhist incense, or even tasted, as you discover when you learn why the casserole may be the most "Protestant" of all dishes!

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2001 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2001 The Great Courses

a necessarily superficial treatment

a necessarily superficial treatment of the subject matter, given its depth, but a good job

Pleasantly surprised

An English narrator discussing American religion was interesting, but an outside view is always a welcome change. He was very unbiased, objective, and made sure to stick to the facts. Despite being a religious man himself, the narrator presented this as a secular examination of how all religions shaped America throughout the years. Only once did he share a personal perspective and it was specifically stated it was his perspective.

Unexpectedly Good

I went in because I think the subject matter is interesting, but expected the standard takes from the narrator. Either the course would be out to show how horrible religion (specifically monotheism) is evil, or it would be trying to show how wonderful religion is. Amazingly the narrator took a scholarly view of religion that doesn't just shit on religion while also maintaining an academic distance. It's almost like he was actually trying to be objective. How radical.
Certainly one of the better Great Courses I've listened to.

Wonderful - a great listen!

Professor Allitt does a terrific job of creating pictures of history as well as connecting the events. I appreciated his positive, hopeful view - I learned a lot.

Also recommended - his course on Victorian Britain.

Unbiased, analytical

Allitt is one of my favorite lecturers. Wonderful voice. Smart. No hidden, or visible, ideological agenda.

The Rising Tide of Non-belief

I agree with Prof. Allitt regarding the topics he listed in the final lecture which he regretted not being able to address more fully. All of them are, in my opinion, deserving of a more full examination.

Additionally, I would have liked to have heard some mention of the rise in activity among atheist/agnostic, groups in recent years. There is virtually no mention of atheism except as an accusation hurled about by various proponents of one religious tradition at those supporting some competing system. That is to say, it's mentioned only as something people have always tried to avoid association with.

The release date given here is 2013. I'm not certain if that refers to the year it was produced by The Great Courses or its availability on Audible. If it was recorded in 2013 then it seems odd that there would be nothing said about, say, the effect of the internet on religious discussion and the resulting rise of the number of peo

An important look at America.

A different, and fascinating look at American history. The narration is engaging, clear, and fair to the religious traditions of America.

Mark

Good overview of American religious history from a mostly objective view point. I enjoyed the journey and would recommend it for a first read or as a refresher

What a surprise. I loved it!

Would you listen to American Religious History again? Why?

I never would have sought out this course, but I picked it up on a whim, based entirely upon the reviews on The Great Courses website. I must say thank you to all the reviewers, because I found this to be one of the most delightful and captivating of the 30+ Great Courses I've listened to.

Any additional comments?

Professor Allitt is completely engaging, and packs each lecture with great portraits of historical significance, entertaining anecdotes, and recommendations for continued reading.

His enthusiasm for the subject is evident throughout, and his ability to help one view the U.S. through an outsider's perspective (he's British) makes him a modern day de Tocqueville.

If I had any complaint, it might be that non-western religions get very little attention. However, that very well may be the proper proportion given the dominance of judeo-christian religions in U.S. history.

Do not hesitate to listen to this course. It's a guaranteed winner.

Short but Incredibly Sweet

WHAT TO EXPECT:
Allitt(le) bit on the short side but seriously engaging.

THE NARRATOR:
Patrick N. Allitt excels in everything I've heard by him and absolutely should be considered one of the best teachers on the Great Courses. His style of presentation is consistently captivating and occasional off-script comments quite insightful. His grasp of the material (as well as the strong accent) make for an enjoyable classroom listening experience. He shows his cards in a few places by extensively focusing on early American Catholic activity, which is his specialty.

THE CONTENT:
It's the broadstrokes of American religious history, notably beginning before the British settlements. Covers early Spanish and French missions and fragmented records of indigenous religions, which is much appreciated. Since the topic is so daunting it must be structured in a series of snapshots; it nonetheless succeeds as a general survey. He draws on primary sources (records, letters, poems, etc) that enhance and drive home his points. It's not an exhaustive series by any means but works for basic education on the subject.

OVERALL:
Amazing job, one of the most enjoyable Great Courses I have heard. I wholeheartedly recommend.