Religion in the Lands That Became America: A New History

For too long, the story of religion in the lands that became America has been told through a narrow lens, often starting with European settlers and focusing on a single religious tradition. This limited perspective overlooks the vast, complex tapestry of faith and practice that has shaped the continent for millennia.

Imagine a history that begins not in the 17th century, but 11,000 years ago, tracing the spiritual journeys of Indigenous Peoples, enslaved Africans, and countless immigrant groups. This new history reveals how diverse forms of Religion and Spirituality have profoundly influenced human flourishing, both enhancing and hindering it through critical sustainability crises. It uncovers how these ancient spiritual traditions navigated transitions from foraging to farming, and from industrialization to the digital age, offering a richer understanding of the past.

Religion in the Lands That Became America: A New History by Thomas A. Tweed, published by Yale University Press, offers this expansive narrative. It moves beyond familiar themes to highlight sustainability, examining how religion played a role in the medieval Cornfield Crisis, the Colonial Crisis, and the Industrial Crisis. By recovering historical sources of hope within this complex story of America's religious past, this ambitious work provides a vital new perspective on the forces that have shaped the lands that became America.