One Nation Under God

The History of Prayer in America

By: James P. Moore

Narrated by: Leonardo Leoncavallo

Length: 21 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

In this highly original approach to the history of the US, James Moore focuses on the extraordinary role that prayer has played in every area of American life, from the time of the first settlers to the present day and beyond.

A stirring chronicle of the spiritual life of a nation, One Nation Under God shows how the faith of Americans - from the founding fathers to corporate tycoons, from composers to social reformers, from generals to slaves - was an essential ingredient in the formation of American culture, character, commerce, and creed. 

One Nation Under God brings together the country’s hymns, patriotic anthems, arts, and literature as a framework for telling the story of the innermost thoughts of the people who have shaped the US we know today. Beginning with Native Americans, One Nation Under God traces the prayer lives of Quakers and Shakers, Sikhs and Muslims, Catholics and Jews, from their earliest days in the US through the advent of cyberspace, the aftermath of 9/11, and the 2004 presidential election. It probes the approach to prayer by such diverse individuals as Benjamin Franklin, Elvis Presley, Frank Lloyd Wright, Martha Graham, J. C. Penney, Mary Pickford, Cesar Chavez, P. T. Barnum, Jackie Robinson, and Christopher Columbus. It includes every president of the US as well as America’s farmers, clergy, immigrants, industrialists, miners, sports heroes, and scientists.

One Nation Under God shows that without prayer, the political, cultural, social, and even economic and military history of the US would be vastly different from what it is today. It engages in a thoughtful, timely examination of the modern debate over public prayer and how the current approach to prayer bears deep roots in the philosophies of the country’s founding fathers, a subject that remains distinct from the debate over church and state.

©2007 James P. Moore (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In this day and age we need to be reminded of what unites us as Americans rather than divides us. Jim Moore’s One Nation Under God speaks uniquely and eloquently to the resounding spiritual life and common heritage that we share as a people. I am convinced that this book will be discussed in America’s churches, town halls, and coffee shops for a very long time to come.” (Senator John McCain, Arizona)

“One Nation Under God will become the most talked about book of the year. Given that nothing like it has ever been written, it surely will become an overnight sensation. Readers will find it hard to put it down, as I did. No one should miss it.” (Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, author and television personality) 

“I am enormously impressed with the scholarship and research that has gone into this book. I am convinced that it will have a resonance like few other works for many years to come.” (Stephen Ambrose, 1936-2002, late author and historian) 

one nation under God

this is a great book from a historical perspective. there were parts I could not always find easy to agree with especially the idea everyone prays to the same God? When it could not possibly be reconciled with reality if you looked into it. Know what you believe.