One Nation, Under Gods: A New American History - Hardcover

Manseau, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 031610003X ISBN 13: 9780316100038

Publisher: Little, Brown US, 2015

Synopsis

At the heart of the nation's spiritual history are audacious and often violent scenes. But the Puritans and the shining city on the hill give us just one way to understand the United States. Rather than recite American history from a Christian vantage point, Peter Manseau proves that what really happened is worth a close, fresh look.

Thomas Jefferson himself collected books on all religions and required that the brand new Library of Congress take his books, since Americans needed to consider the "twenty gods or no god" he famously noted were revered by his neighbors. Looking at the Americans who believed in these gods, Manseau fills in America's story of itself, from the persecuted "witches" at Salem and who they really were, to the persecuted Buddhists in WWII California, from spirituality and cults in the '60s to the recent presidential election where both candidates were for the first time non-traditional Christians.

One Nation, Under Gods shows how much more there is to the history we tell ourselves, right back to the country's earliest days. Dazzling in its scope and sweep, it is an American history unlike any you've read.

About this title

Review

Praise for ONE NATION, UNDER GODS

"Here at last is the rest of the American story, in one great kaleidoscope of a book. Peter Manseau has revealed the many too often obscured by 'one nation.' The truth is so much more vast and strange and funny and fascinating than that, and Manseau, a brilliant writer of great wit, curiosity, and learning, is the perfect guide." -- Jeff Sharlet, bestselling author of "The Family"

Praise for Vows

"An engrossing memoir.... Readers seeking detached biography will not find it in this wry and deeply affectionate tribute. Seductively well written, occasionally polemical, Manseau chronicles a son's attempt to make peace with the mysteries of faith and family." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for Songs for the Butcher's Daughter

"Extraordinary." -- Junot Diaz"

"It's a picaresque novel with an epic sweep, containing tragedy, comedy and a huge love of life." -- The Independent

"Rooted in the sharp, bittersweet Yiddish tradition reminiscent of Isaac Bashevis Singer, Manseau's thrilling tale of secrets and revelations captures the diversity among Jews, then and now, in shtetl, city, and kibbutz, and the elemental meaning of bashert, or destiny." -- Booklist (starred review)

"A rich, often ironic homage to Yiddish culture and language." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for ONE NATION, UNDER GODS

"The United States is arguably the most religiously diverse nation in the world. Peter Manseau shows how this has always been the case. "One Nation, Under Gods" is a refreshing, compelling, and surprising reexamination of our nation's history that puts lie to the oft-quoted idea that America was founded as 'a Christian nation.'" "Reza Aslan, author of "No god but God" and "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth"""

Praise for Killing the Buddha

"A most impressive work. This is some of the most original and insightful spiritual writing to come out of America since Jack Kerouac first hit the road." "Publishers Weekly""

Praise for Rag and Bone

"An entertaining...affecting inquiry into man's yearning for spiritual transcendence." "New York Times Book Review""

"A lively lope among fragments from famous faith figures." "Publishers Weekly""

Book Description

A groundbreaking new look at the story of America

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown US
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 031610003X
• ISBN 13: 9780316100038
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 480