Bellah, Robert N.

This provocative volume is wide-ranging, and the contributors do not disappoint. Although neither Bellah nor the contributors offer a definitive conclusion, the scope, depth, and coherence of this collection is a brilliant elaboration of what might have occurred.

This is an academic work recommended for specialists in the field of religion and sociology. Most lay readers, even if compelled by the subject, will find it heavy going, but the intrepid ones may well want to take it on and will marvel at Bellah's approach.