Much has been written about the "objectivity question" in history. Can a historian put his biases aside and write an objective account of an historical event? Conkin's Cane Ridge demonstrates with what dignity and power a historian is able to treat a religious movement to which he has little spiritual or emotional attachment. Conkin has written a first-rate intellectual history that includes the best delineation of biblical Christianity by a non-believer that I've ever read.

Conkin's careful examination of the 1801 Kentucky revival demonstrates that the religious changes which began there had roots deep in devout, but staid, Presbyterianism. Conkin rejects the notion that the revival was simply an example of frontier backwardness and downplays the swooning and "barking" that continue to be the staple of college lecturers.

History is. This book is about history. Few people (let alone christians) know the history of christian religious experience in the United States. This book provides a detailed and rare scholarly description of what happened during the August 1801 revival in Kentucky which has come to be known as the Cane Ridge revival. This book makes no attempt to provide a theological framework for revival, either for or against, nor the many experiences which may occur during and after revival. Rather, it is an honest and unbiased effort to give you a window to the past so you can see what happened and come to your own conclusions. I wish all books on revival were this well written!

PLEASE GIVE CHAPTER AND VERSE FOR YOUR PENTECOST AND YOUR RESTORATION

This book will greatly help you understand the intentions of the founding fathers in writing the Constitution. After reading this book you will lament at what our political process has become.

As indicated in the title, this work is an examination of the history and theory of history. It is separated into two sections, each written by one of the authors. Roland Stromberg opens the work with a chronological overview of the way historians have worked and understood their craft since the Early Modern period. Paul Conkin follows up with a brilliant examination of several theoretical issues that face past and modern historians (e.g. objectivity and causation).

I particularly recommend the Conkin section. It contains some of the most level-headed argumentation I have found in works of this kind. Those of you who know the thrill of seeing a beautiful argument taking shape or who get excited reading the work of an impeccable logician will truly enjoy this. Conkin paints a very clear picture of the issues and makes a number of very astute points. Stromberg's section is not as immediately impressive, but it is nevertheless a knowledgeable consideration of the history of history.

The tone is decidedly academic. However, for those who want a well-reasoned, balanced look at the development of the historical enterprise over the last few centuries and at the philosophical issues facing it in the post-modern world, this may very well be the book to read.

For another excellent treatment of the historical and theoretical issues considered in this work, refer to TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT HISTORY by Appleby, Hunt, and Jacob.

A Requiem For The American Village offers the reader a compelling and insightful series of essays by history professor Paul Conkin on a spectrum of American historical events and personalities. Conkin charts the transformation of the American nation from relatively homogenous, agriculturally based communities to multicultural cosmopolitan industrial and post-industrial cultures with concomitant subordination of an individual's sense of local autonomy to that of a national authority. From "History As a Discipline" to "The Dilemmas of Cultural Pluralism", A Requiem For The American Village offers both students of American history and non-specialist general readers seeking an historical grasp to contemporary political and culture trends an informative, "reader friendly" perspective.

Conklin does a wonderful job outlining Darwin's impact upon early 20th century intellectuals and their attempts to explain, interpret, or reject the implications of evolution (as they saw them). What kept me from going "five-star" with this work is mostly stylistic - Conkin appears to be a fan of the words "clearly," "obviously," and uses vague pronouns excessively. Substantively, however, this book is a gem. Conkin adheres closely to the value of coherence in religious doctrine, and I really enjoyed his comments regarding the worth and relevance of intellectual and academic good faith. I also enjoyed the fact that I could not determine what Conkin himself believes throughout the piece. An all around good read.

When All The Gods Trembled: Darwinism, Scopes, And American Intellectuals by Paul Conkin (Distinguished Professor of History, Vanderbilt University) is a collection of superbly reasoned and presented historical essays about the overwhelming impact science has had upon American religious thought, especially during the 1920s when "all the gods trembled" before the evolutionary theories of Darwinism. A well-balanced, intellectual and thoughtful discourse on the very serious and perplexing questions that science poses to faith When All The Gods Trembled is highly recommended reading for both students and general readers with an interest in the impact of 19th and 20th sciences on religious belief systems in the United States.

American Originals is a poor, dry shadow of The American Religion written by Harold Bloom several years ago. It has none of the thrill of following and intimately disecting the american direction in religious ontology. It has an overall air of Ho-Hum. A feeling of "I wrote this book because I could." Not that its facts are terribly inaccurate but the point is that if I wanted a dictionary of religious history I would have bought one.

This is a truly outstanding work in American religious history. Conkin delves deep into the historical details surrounding these groups, yet never loses focus of the larger picture and the major themes that make each group distinctive. His chapter on Mormonism is particularly good; no other work sorts out the complicated events and themes of the Latter-day Saints with as much clarity and concision.

Believers should note this is a scholarly work, and deals with questions those inside the faith, in their modes of worship, do not consider. Conkin is very fair with these groups; those unhappy with this work should compare it to the hatchet jobs many professors of religion, or sectarian believers, do to those of other faiths.

I've been waiting for a book like this for a really long time. The book is fact filled, easy to read (for those new to religious concepts & sects) and informative. The author breaks the sects up so that we can better understand the denominations as a whole. The section on Apocalptic Christianity is one of the best. Many members of the sects discussed might be offended as it does point out inaccuracies or missteps within the sect. A great read!!