American And Catholic: A Popular History Of Catholicism In The United States

Rating:
Summary: A quick read
Review: Clyde Crews outlines the history of the Catholic Church in American in broad strokes and major events. He does not include the details or the rationale for church direction and development. You can read this book in one sitting and get an overview of the American Catholic Church.

Rating:
Summary: A quick read
Review: Clyde Crews outlines the history of the Catholic Church in American in broad strokes and major events. He does not include the details or the rationale for church direction and development. You can read this book in one sitting and get an overview of the American Catholic Church.

Rating:
Summary: Fast Paced, Fact Filled
Review: Crews, a priest who holds a Ph.D. in history of Christian thought, presents major personalities, events, "changes and constancies" within the American Catholic community. This rendering might not be the most comprehensive of its kind, but it is imminently readable and refreshingly concise. Crews' hope is to "show this ancient faith in its rich complexity as it lives within and influences-and is influenced by-the American nation." The text itself is supplemented by photos, drawings, newspaper articles, statistical tables, letters, and discussion questions, which make this a good resource for small groups.

Each chapter focuses on a specific time period, beginning with America before the revolution and ending with the present. The final chapter covers Vatican II, the first Catholic U.S. president, and the increasing number of Catholics in influential positions in all walks of life. That chapter also looks at the decrease in priests in contrast to the increase in laypeople, the "just war" theory in relation to both Vietnam and Iraq, and the sexual abuse scandal.