The End of the World as We Know it: Faith, Fatalism and Apocalypse in America (Hardback) - Common

by Daniel Wojcik

Examines contemporary apocalyptic beliefs and their originsFrom religious tomes to current folk prophesies, recorded history reveals a plethora of narratives predicting or showcasing the end of the world. The incident at Waco, the subway bombing by the Japanese cult Aum Supreme Truth, and the tragedy at Jonestown are just a few examples of such apocalyptic scenarios. And these are not isolated incidents; millions of Americans today believe the end of the world is inevitable, either by a divinely ordained plan, nuclear catastrophe, extraterrestrial invasion, or gradual environmental decay.Examining the doomsday scenarios and apocalyptic predictions of visionaries, televangelists, survivalists, and various other endtimes enthusiasts, as well as popular culture, film, music, fashion, and humor, Daniel Wojcik sheds new light on America's fascination with worldly destruction and transformation. He explores the origins of contemporary apocalyptic beliefs and compares religious and secular apocalyptic speculation, showing us the routes our belief systems have traveled over the centuries to arrive at the dawn of a new millennium. Included in his sweeping examination are premillennial prophecy traditions, prophecies associated with visions of the Virgin Mary, secular ideas about nuclear apocalypse, the transformation of apocalyptic prophecy in the post-Cold War era, and emerging apocalyptic ideas associated with UFOs and extraterrestrials.Timely, yet of lasting importance, The End of the World as We Know It is a comprehensive cultural and historical portrait of an age-old phenomenon and a fascinating guide to contemporary apocalyptic fever.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction

350 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1997

Reviews

[Little Miss Esoteric]

5 stars. See my review at BookLikes: http://LittleMissProcrastination.book...

[grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

recommended by spinner for my final paper. some really good stuff in here about apocalypticism, especially in terms of atomic bombs (Hiroshima & Nagasaki- August 1945, Cold War…) we are afraid of the end of the world and it permeates American culture. include some sections on the role of prophecy enthusiasts such as Hal Lindsey, and lots of thorough information on general post&pre Cold War prophecy. Wojcick writes clearly and concisely, and this book was very helpful for my paper on the interactions between American religion and the arms race between the Soviet Union & the U.S.