Recommended Books

Restless Souls: The Making of American Spirituality

Leigh Eric Schmidt traces the rise of American spirituality from 19th century Transcendentalists, who modeled the American seeker, through mid-20th century mystics and gurus. He argues that non-traditionalist seekers may form the basis of a 21st-century 'religious left.' My review. (HarperSanFrancisco, 2005; Amazon; Powells)

Knocking on Heaven's Door: American Religion in the Age of Counterculture

Mark Oppenheimer asks what happened to American religion during the cultural revolution of the 1960s and early 1970s. His book looks at Unitarians and gay rights, Roman Catholics and the folk mass, Jews and communal worship, Episcopalians and feminism, and Southern Baptists and Vietnam War protesters. My review. (Yale 2003; Amazon; Powells)