All That's Holy: A Young Guy, an Old Car, and the Search for God in America

by Tom Levinson

There's nothing more American than a road trip— and a spiritual road trip at that. From mosque to synagogue to chapel to coffee shop, Tom Levinson's entertaining and erudite stories of conversations with the faithful and the seeking get to the heart of religion in America today. All That's Holy is a fascinating conversational collage set against the backdrop of the author's deepening appreciation— both intellectually and spiritually— of his own religious roots. "Tom Levinson has given us a spiritual Odyssey, an extended adventure in the new meaning of faith and hope. Eloquent, heartfelt, and true, this is a book America needs."
— James Carroll, author, Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews and American Requiem , winner of the National Book Award "Tom Levinson has written an engaging and lucid personal essay on a timely and timeless subject."
— Joyce Carol Oates, author, A Garden of Earthly Delights, Big Mouth & Ugly Girl, and I'll Take You There

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 20, 2003

Reviews

[John L and Benji · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a religious person and I read this book a decade ago in high school for an elective western religions class. Our teacher said that it is a book for everyone, so you don’t have to believe in something specific in order to read it. I liked that back then, but I liked it more the second time I read it. Tom is an emotionally intelligent man seeking to understand different perspectives on religion as he travels through the U.S. interviewing people. He diversified the religions or his interviews, and I feel I understand my religious peers more. There are no conversion requirements. I am still not religious, but I feel like it was worth reading.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed by Levinson's lack of coverage of atheists, agnostics, and just generally secular individuals. Otherwise, his treatment of faith in America is insightful and as unbiased as can be expected.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great look at religon on a whole. The author comes at his journey with a religious background that he questions, which I know so many of us have done! The people he meets and the opinions he comes across can really make you think about religon as an institution or as a belief structure. It all depends on your point of view. Great book for those that are religious and those that are not!

[Tigbench · Rating 5 out of 5]

This intelligent gentleman had dedicated a year to a search for religious truth, and put his heart into this book, and he gives all the details to see the story through his eyes. I could have spent years struggling with my skeptical views of my family's religion, and my wish to share inner peace through a complex rituality. Tom taught me a much more practical approach.

I wish to thank Mr. Levinson for sharing this intimate journey.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of a divinity school grad's travels across America talking to people of different religions about their faith. Which is the opposite of the stereotypical believers who travels the world to talk to others about his or her own faith. I read this book because the author was a law school classmate, but recommend it to others because it's a fun, insightful, hopeful picture of America.

[Jamiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly delightful book to read by a man who is a vivid storyteller. If you have ever had the pleasure to meet Tom it will make it even more enjoyable to read. Through a travelers lens he provides an insight into religion within the context of the United States.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting twist on a comparative religion text -