The War for Righteousness: Progressive Christianity, the Great War, and the Rise of the Messianic Nation

Rating:
Summary: Useful, but not brilliant
Review: Although this book fills in a gap in our knowledge of American culture, and is therefore useful, the narrative becomes very boring to read. I thought I would scream if I read one more "as noted by," "as stated by," "as remarked by," as,as,as. Surely there is a more creative way of presenting the documentation.
Because the perspective is on the changes in theological outlook among Calvinistic Protestants at the end of the 19th century which led to progressivism (the strength of the book), there is little mention of any other American self-understanding. This is a strength as well as a weakness: a strength because it keeps the focus very narrow and clear; a weakness because Protestantism is not the whole story of American identity no matter how much one may insist that it is.
The author assumes that an orthodox Calvinism is the baseline of all Christianity, with no regard to the claims of either Catholicism or Orthodoxy, both of which maintain apostolicity and, in the case of Catholicism, whose magisterium has never changed. In fact, the book implicitly argues that the Protestant Reformation has failed because of the lack of historical authority among the various Protestant groups. He begs the question of Calvinism's primacy.
Interestingly, there is no mention of Catholicism or of American Catholics in the index although the text contains several references to the Catholic Church. There are also an annoying number of typographical errors.
I would have preferred an argument that locates the Protestant changes in the context of the emerging Catholic developments, especially since Dorothy Day was becoming a clear voice in opposition to the very movement toward righteous war against which Gamble himself argues.

Rating:
Summary: Proud of the professor
Review: As a teacher, Dr. Gamble is always thought-provoking in his questions and mesmerizing in his comments. As a writer, he continues to exude thoughtfulness and comprehensibility. I am proud to say that I have been instructed by such a person, and I look forward to reading more from the Doctor.

Rating:
Summary: An appropriate History
Review: Dr. Gamble has done what is necessary. He has recognised the connection between progressive Protestantism and American Diplomatic History. While writing my own Ph.D. disstertaion I was troubled to read a review of Dr. Gamble's book in the Atlantic Monthly. Fearful that someone had stolen my thesis - I immediately ordered the book. It was not my thesis but it was an incredibly illuminating book. I would recommend it to any reader who wishes to know something of substance about the international politics of the progressive era.

Rating:
Summary: Is this guy a genius or what?
Review: Is this guy a genius or what! This book is SUPERB! If you really want to understand the origins of the good old USA in the early 20th century, this is THE book to buy, folks! Thanksgiving is coming up soon, so buy one for yourself and then buy some for all your family to talk about over Thanksgiving Dinner (when you aren't watching the baseball).

Rating:
Summary: News of Gamble's genius has even reached Virginia
Review: News of Gamble's genius has even reached Virginia. This is THE history book of 2003, and should be read by everyone who wants a clear understanding of the history of the USA in the 20th century. I agree with the other reviewers. Move over Daniel Boorstin - Richard Gamble is now THE American historian to watch and read. Make sure your history Professor has this book and makes all the class read it.

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Summary: Mixing politics and religion
Review: One of my favorite topics to contemplate and discuss is how religion and politics cannot be separated. What you believe about your Creator--or don't believe about him--will affect how you view your world and what you think it should become. This book is a tremendous testimony to the truth that ideas have consequences and that religious ideas and politics do mix with profound consequences. I found the book incredibly interesting and well documented. Even though the author mainly dealt with the religious influences in America up to and during World War I, I found parallels to other periods of history in this country as well---even up to the very present crusade to "rid the world of evil."

Rating:
Summary: Gamble is simply superb!
Review: Richard Gamble is one of the ablest young American historians around today, with a growing and well deserved international reputation as well. This book demonstrates that very clearly - his brilliant insights into this period are quite simply without parallel and this book ought to be compulsary reading for anyone studying the history of the USA in the early 20th century. If you are a history professor, get 20 copies for all your students and if you are a history student, make sure that your professor gets one for all the class. This is dynamic history at its very best. Christopher Catherwood, author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)

Rating:
Summary: The other reviewers are right. This book is BRILLIANT
Review: The other reviewers are right. This book is BRILLIANT! It is one that should be on the shelves of every thinking historian and seminary professor in the USA, since its sheer depth of insight ought to make it mandatory reading in today's academy. Professor: make sure ALL your students have bought this book.

Rating:
Summary: A simply outstanding debut by a brilliant historian
Review: This is a magnificent work of thorough and detailed scholarship that everyone ought to read if we are to delve the issues behind one of the most pivotal parts of the history of the USA. It is not just students and professors who should read Gamble's effortless erudition, but that well known creature "the intelligent lay person". Not only that, but give it to your pastor as well - all too many American Christians have a view of their past that is entirely out of tune with what really happened. Let your life be transformed by the well-written, carefully thought out, beautifully crafted and yet still easy to read prose of this outstanding young scholar, Richard Gamble. We can but hope that we will all soon hear far more from his skillful pen.