Customer Reviews

Excellent study of American Christianity in history and today - By: Helen Hancox, 03 Jun 2008
"God's Own Country" is an engaging & insightful book written by an Englishman tracing the history of American Christianity from the founding of the country until today. Stephen Bates writes with real clarity & occasional touches of humour, making a subject that might feel hard going always interesting. Subjects include tracing the idea of the separation of religion & state through America's history, the creation vs evolution debate, the links between politics & religion, the Moral Majority, issues of abortion & homosexuality & George W Bush's own personal faith. With his British viewpoint the author explains some of the weirder aspects of modern day American religiosityin an amusing & clear style & yet his affection for America also comes through.

This book is not a dry & objective text book but more of a warm & fascinating journey through America's history & its life today. It shows some of the excesses of American Christiansin their attempts to link religion & state but also some of the other peoplein US history & the present time who work to be voices of reason across the pond.