God's Almost Chosen Peoples

A Religious History of the American Civil War

By George C. Rable | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

Throughout the Civil War, soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict saw the hand of God in the terrible events of the day, but the standard narratives of the period pay scant attention to religion. Now, in God’s Almost Chosen Peoples, Lincoln Prize–winning historian George C. Rable offers a groundbreaking account of how Americans of all political and religious persuasions used faith to interpret the course of the war.

Examining a wide range of published and unpublished documents — including sermons, official statements from various churches, denominational papers and periodicals, and letters, diaries, and newspaper articles — Rable illuminates the broad role of religion during the Civil War, giving attention to often-neglected groups such as Mormons, Catholics, blacks, and people from the Trans-Mississippi region. The book underscores religion’s presence in the everyday lives of Americans north and south struggling to understand the meaning of the conflict, from the tragedy of individual death to victory and defeat in battle and even the ultimate outcome of the war. Rable shows that themes of providence, sin, and judgment pervaded both public and private writings about the conflict. Perhaps most important, this volume — the only comprehensive religious history of the war — highlights the resilience of religious faith in the face of political and military storms the likes of which Americans had never before endured.

Editions of God's Almost Chosen Peoples

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807834268
Paperback
ISBN 9781469621821
EBook
ISBN 9781469603841
EBook
ISBN 9780807899311
EBook
ISBN 9798893131031
PDF
ISBN 9798890870230

Read an Excerpt

Throughout the Civil War, soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict saw the hand of God in the terrible events of the day, but the standard narratives of the period pay scant attention to religion. Now, in God’s Almost Chosen Peoples, Lincoln Prize–winning historian George C. Rable offers a groundbreaking account of how Americans of all political and religious persuasions used faith to interpret the course of the war.

Examining a wide range of published and unpublished documents — including sermons, official statements from various churches, denominational papers and periodicals, and letters, diaries, and newspaper articles — Rable illuminates the broad role of religion during the Civil War, giving attention to often-neglected groups such as Mormons, Catholics, blacks, and people from the Trans-Mississippi region. The book underscores religion’s presence in the everyday lives of Americans north and south struggling to understand the meaning of the conflict, from the tragedy of individual death to victory and defeat in battle and even the ultimate outcome of the war. Rable shows that themes of providence, sin, and judgment pervaded both public and private writings about the conflict. Perhaps most important, this volume — the only comprehensive religious history of the war — highlights the resilience of religious faith in the face of political and military storms the likes of which Americans had never before endured.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is God's Almost Chosen Peoples about?

Throughout the Civil War, soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict saw the hand of God in the terrible events of the day, but the standard narratives of the period pay scant attention to religion. Now, in God’s Almost Chosen Peoples, Lincoln Prize–winning historian George C. Rable offers a groundbreaking account of how Americans of all political and religious persuasions used faith to interpret the course of the war.

Examining a wide range of published and unpublished documents — including sermons, official statements from various churches, denominational papers and periodicals, and letters, diaries, and newspaper articles — Rable illuminates the broad role of religion during the Civil War, giving attention to often-neglected groups such as Mormons, Catholics, blacks, and people from the Trans-Mississippi region. The book underscores religion’s presence in the everyday lives of Americans north and south struggling to understand the meaning of the conflict, from the tragedy of individual death to victory and defeat in battle and even the ultimate outcome of the war. Rable shows that themes of providence, sin, and judgment pervaded both public and private writings about the conflict. Perhaps most important, this volume — the only comprehensive religious history of the war — highlights the resilience of religious faith in the face of political and military storms the likes of which Americans had never before endured.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in God's Almost Chosen Peoples?

History and Archaeology > History > General and world history

Where can I read a sample of God's Almost Chosen Peoples?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807834268

How long is God's Almost Chosen Peoples and how many pages does it have?

God's Almost Chosen Peoples has 586 page(s)

Is God's Almost Chosen Peoples part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Littlefield History of the Civil War Era

Who is/are the Author/s of the book God's Almost Chosen Peoples?

George C. Rable

Who is the Publisher of the book God's Almost Chosen Peoples?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

God's Almost Chosen Peoples is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807834268) and paperback(ISBN 9781469621821) and ebook(ISBN 9781469603841) and ebook(ISBN 9780807899311) and ebook(ISBN 9798893131031) and pdf(ISBN 9798890870230)

Where can I buy God's Almost Chosen Peoples online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy God's Almost Chosen Peoples?