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The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Inside a Billionaire Family's Quest to Craft a Christian Nation
A revelatory account of how the family behind Hobby Lobby rose to political prominence and used their influence—and fortune—to push a radical religious agenda
Hobby Lobby is a multibillion-dollar craft store chain with more than a thousand US locations, founded and owned by the Greens—an evangelical Christian family committed to establishing the Bible as the ultimate authority behind our laws and society.
In The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby, Michael Blanding reveals how the Greens have quietly yet effectively used their vast wealth to spread their beliefs throughout the US and beyond. They’ve run expensive, wide-reaching ad campaigns to inculcate biblical values and have propped up evangelical education through donations of money and land. They successfully fought a Supreme Court case to deny their employees insurance coverage for contraception and funneled millions of dollars to organizations working to overturn Roe v. Wade and to undermine LGBTQ rights. And, for their multimillion-dollar Museum of the Bible just blocks from the US Capitol building, they’ve acquired looted, stolen, and forged biblical antiquities from the Middle East. In a riveting exposé, Blanding traces the Greens’ efforts to sell their evangelical mission.
Captivating and disturbing, The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby exposes the pivotal role the Green family has played in funding and empowering America’s dangerous, ascendant Christian nationalist movement.
Hobby Lobby is a multibillion-dollar craft store chain with more than a thousand US locations, founded and owned by the Greens—an evangelical Christian family committed to establishing the Bible as the ultimate authority behind our laws and society.
In The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby, Michael Blanding reveals how the Greens have quietly yet effectively used their vast wealth to spread their beliefs throughout the US and beyond. They’ve run expensive, wide-reaching ad campaigns to inculcate biblical values and have propped up evangelical education through donations of money and land. They successfully fought a Supreme Court case to deny their employees insurance coverage for contraception and funneled millions of dollars to organizations working to overturn Roe v. Wade and to undermine LGBTQ rights. And, for their multimillion-dollar Museum of the Bible just blocks from the US Capitol building, they’ve acquired looted, stolen, and forged biblical antiquities from the Middle East. In a riveting exposé, Blanding traces the Greens’ efforts to sell their evangelical mission.
Captivating and disturbing, The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby exposes the pivotal role the Green family has played in funding and empowering America’s dangerous, ascendant Christian nationalist movement.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Michael Blanding
12 books99 followersMichael Blanding is a Boston-based investigative journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, Slate, Smithsonian, The Boston Globe Magazine, and Boston magazine. His newest book, The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: A Billionaire Family's Quest to Craft a Christian Nation, is due out from PublicAffairs in July 2026. It is a revelatory account of how the family behind Hobby Lobby rose to political prominence and used their influence—and fortune—to push a radical religious agenda.
Blanding is also author of In Shakespeare's Shadow: A Rogue Scholar's Quest to Reveal the True Source Behind the World's Greatest Plays (2021), which won the International Book Award for Narrative Non-fiction; and The Map Thief: The Gripping Story of an Esteemed Rare-Map Dealer Who Made Millions Stealing Priceless Maps (2014), which was a New York Times bestseller and an NPR Book of the Year. A former journalism fellow at Brandeis University and Harvard Law School, he has taught feature writing at Tufts University, Emerson College, and GrubStreet Writers.
Blanding is also author of In Shakespeare's Shadow: A Rogue Scholar's Quest to Reveal the True Source Behind the World's Greatest Plays (2021), which won the International Book Award for Narrative Non-fiction; and The Map Thief: The Gripping Story of an Esteemed Rare-Map Dealer Who Made Millions Stealing Priceless Maps (2014), which was a New York Times bestseller and an NPR Book of the Year. A former journalism fellow at Brandeis University and Harvard Law School, he has taught feature writing at Tufts University, Emerson College, and GrubStreet Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 28, 2026
I went in expecting something juicier, or at least more nefarious, but really this is just another example of terrible billionaires conflating capitalism with Christianity.
Michael Blanding did an excellent job. It’s well researched, and I found the history of how the Green family acquired its art collection genuinely interesting. Ultimately, though, I wasn’t particularly surprised by any of it.
I have very little patience for the Cult of Organized Religion, which always seems to do vastly more harm than good. The Green family isn’t special. They certainly don’t care about arts and crafts, and they care about “family” and “faith” only when it serves them. This book mostly reaffirmed my bleak outlook.
Michael Blanding did an excellent job. It’s well researched, and I found the history of how the Green family acquired its art collection genuinely interesting. Ultimately, though, I wasn’t particularly surprised by any of it.
I have very little patience for the Cult of Organized Religion, which always seems to do vastly more harm than good. The Green family isn’t special. They certainly don’t care about arts and crafts, and they care about “family” and “faith” only when it serves them. This book mostly reaffirmed my bleak outlook.
July 17, 2026
The gospel according to hobby lobby is a gripping tale about how mommy issues can ruin the political landscape of a country for generations. But in all seriousness, Blanding takes the reader on a journey not only detailing the history of the rise of evangelicals in the United States but an epic crime drama full with shady deals, forgeries and backstabbing. Get ready for a thrilling ride!
July 30, 2026
Audiobook!
It’s actually lame that so many guys with mommy issues are running this country and trying to make it a “Christian” nation—looking at you, David Green! Sorry you were never enough for your mom but why is that my problem!
Honestly, my only criticism here is that I wish there had been a bit more about the kids and grandkids especially. It’s truly bizarre to me that it sounds like none of the subsequent generations have rebelled on any level?? I guess being rich is more important to them?? But like none of you Gen Z kids are liberal? That’s crazy to me?
Very interesting though, he does an excellent job of tracing through one family the rise of evangelicalism and Christian nationalism in America and how it came to dominate politics. I appreciate the way he calls them out subtly, while still discussing how they seem to genuinely hold these beliefs. That almost disturbs me more though, personally. This stuff is really start to fill me with rage and impatience though. Like, I am actually tired of being respectful to these weirdos! Like at one point he discusses a WI rep who quoted the Bible vis a vis trans kids, that they are corrupting the imageo dei of God by transitioning. To that I say—who cares? Genuinely, who gives a shit? If someone doesn’t believe in god or these peoples idea of god, why on earth would they care what that fancy book might say?
#Startsaying”who gives a shit about the word of god in government”totheseevangelical/pentecostal/bible literalists2026 !! They’re already mad let’s make them madder!!!
It’s actually lame that so many guys with mommy issues are running this country and trying to make it a “Christian” nation—looking at you, David Green! Sorry you were never enough for your mom but why is that my problem!
Honestly, my only criticism here is that I wish there had been a bit more about the kids and grandkids especially. It’s truly bizarre to me that it sounds like none of the subsequent generations have rebelled on any level?? I guess being rich is more important to them?? But like none of you Gen Z kids are liberal? That’s crazy to me?
Very interesting though, he does an excellent job of tracing through one family the rise of evangelicalism and Christian nationalism in America and how it came to dominate politics. I appreciate the way he calls them out subtly, while still discussing how they seem to genuinely hold these beliefs. That almost disturbs me more though, personally. This stuff is really start to fill me with rage and impatience though. Like, I am actually tired of being respectful to these weirdos! Like at one point he discusses a WI rep who quoted the Bible vis a vis trans kids, that they are corrupting the imageo dei of God by transitioning. To that I say—who cares? Genuinely, who gives a shit? If someone doesn’t believe in god or these peoples idea of god, why on earth would they care what that fancy book might say?
#Startsaying”who gives a shit about the word of god in government”totheseevangelical/pentecostal/bible literalists2026 !! They’re already mad let’s make them madder!!!
August 6, 2026
This was thoroughly researched and delivered. I didn’t find anything particularly surprising in this, but it was interesting (and alarming) to hear how methodically the Green family built their wealth and drove policies through their influence.
August 14, 2026
Certified Hobby Lobby hater here so I was really excited to get this. This book is really, really well researched and has a ton of information. I was really interested in the story of the Greens and I found the mommy issues facet to be particularly interesting. Because there’s so much packed into a relatively short book, it did feel dense at times. There were a lot of names that would pop up just here and there, and sometimes I forgot who was doing what. Otherwise a really informative and enjoyable read!
August 1, 2026
Absolutely riveting investigation of one family’s history of political influence, black market art crimes, and selling cheap crafts.
Truth is stranger than fiction in The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby and the intensity of painstaking research makes the truth undeniable. Blanding’s dry wit makes for easy reading of an otherwise incredibly dense subject matter.
Despite being full of basically the worst people ever, The Gospel paints a complete picture of the Green family without condemning them unnecessarily. The juxtaposition of descriptions like ‘mild-mannered’ and even ‘shy’ and the beliefs of the family make them even more shocking. The truth speaks for itself, as they say.
The Greens twisted path from holy roller local craft store owners to shepherds of Christian nationalism includes nearly every name in the Christian fundamentalism movement. For readers interested in fundies, this is a must read.
Blanding also shines light on the world of black market antiquities and the ongoing issues of international theft by the West. Somehow, he brings the history of a low quality craft store, Christian nationalism, antiquity theft, tax fraud, political manipulation, and corruption into one cohesive, addicting narrative. I enjoyed every minute.
Truth is stranger than fiction in The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby and the intensity of painstaking research makes the truth undeniable. Blanding’s dry wit makes for easy reading of an otherwise incredibly dense subject matter.
Despite being full of basically the worst people ever, The Gospel paints a complete picture of the Green family without condemning them unnecessarily. The juxtaposition of descriptions like ‘mild-mannered’ and even ‘shy’ and the beliefs of the family make them even more shocking. The truth speaks for itself, as they say.
The Greens twisted path from holy roller local craft store owners to shepherds of Christian nationalism includes nearly every name in the Christian fundamentalism movement. For readers interested in fundies, this is a must read.
Blanding also shines light on the world of black market antiquities and the ongoing issues of international theft by the West. Somehow, he brings the history of a low quality craft store, Christian nationalism, antiquity theft, tax fraud, political manipulation, and corruption into one cohesive, addicting narrative. I enjoyed every minute.
July 20, 2026
A Thoughtful, Engaging, and Deeply Illuminating Read
Michael Blanding’s The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby is a fascinating, sharply written, and highly compelling exploration of faith, business, power, and American culture. Blanding has a gift for taking a subject that could easily become one-dimensional
and instead presenting it with nuance, clarity, and narrative energy.
What makes the book so impressive is its balance. It is not merely a story about a company, a court case, or a family’s religious convictions—it is a broader look at how private belief can shape public life, corporate identity, philanthropy, politics, and cultural
institutions. Blanding writes with a journalist’s eye for detail and a storyteller’s sense of momentum, making the book both informative and genuinely enjoyable to read.
The book is especially strong in the way it connects individual decisions to larger national questions. Whether discussing religion in the marketplace, the role of corporate influence, or the complicated intersection of faith and public policy, Blanding keeps
the reader engaged without ever losing sight of the human dimension of the story.
Clear, intelligent, and absorbing, The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby is an excellent read for anyone interested in religion, business ethics, American politics, or the cultural forces shaping modern public life. It is thoughtful, timely, and memorable—a
book that leaves readers with plenty to think about long after the final page.
Michael Blanding’s The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby is a fascinating, sharply written, and highly compelling exploration of faith, business, power, and American culture. Blanding has a gift for taking a subject that could easily become one-dimensional
and instead presenting it with nuance, clarity, and narrative energy.
What makes the book so impressive is its balance. It is not merely a story about a company, a court case, or a family’s religious convictions—it is a broader look at how private belief can shape public life, corporate identity, philanthropy, politics, and cultural
institutions. Blanding writes with a journalist’s eye for detail and a storyteller’s sense of momentum, making the book both informative and genuinely enjoyable to read.
The book is especially strong in the way it connects individual decisions to larger national questions. Whether discussing religion in the marketplace, the role of corporate influence, or the complicated intersection of faith and public policy, Blanding keeps
the reader engaged without ever losing sight of the human dimension of the story.
Clear, intelligent, and absorbing, The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby is an excellent read for anyone interested in religion, business ethics, American politics, or the cultural forces shaping modern public life. It is thoughtful, timely, and memorable—a
book that leaves readers with plenty to think about long after the final page.
August 11, 2026
That this book begins with seizing a tablet from the original Epic of Gilgamesh reinforces that Gilgamesh has been the myth to undergird this year (There are Rivers in the Sky, a newer Gilgamesh translation) and that I need to re read Is a River Alive? immediately (which I want to do anyway). I think it's wild, too, that this family, the Greens, patriarchs of Hobby Lobby, known to discriminate against queer folks, were once in possession of a Gilgamesh dream tablet, where he prophesies the coming of Enkidu, his Queequeg, his "bosom friend".
Prior even really to the Greens, this book opens with the introduction to Holiness and Pentecostalism, which gave me all the exercise in red flag waving I needed to get primed for this wild ride, though the iteration they described allowed women to preach, which is distinct from the ones I've known (thinking of you, Beth Barr). The absolute poverty so many of these families lived in in the early days of Pentecostalism, e.g. insisting on giving 10% of their income despite needing to feed six kids, and the transition to a faith of material plenty ("gospel of prosperity") and into televangelism gives me whiplash, but I appear in the minority of this opinion. While tithing was "just what people did," it also seemed to legitimize the otherworldly wealth that some families later burst into as a product of commercializing their evangelicalism. To argue that the bible is explicitly capitalistic, advance "Biblical economics," and relate the gospel through various relationships of ownership feels both wildly dissonant from the core of love thy neighbor, and also deeply American.
What I find particularly wild is that the Greens seem to think God literally talks to them, modern English sarcasm included, gives continuously effective business advice, and cares about their financial success as an extension of his own kingdom and wonders. "God cares about employee retention," is a real quote from their patriarch, David. Every swing of the economy or legislation was interpreted as something they were doing right.
Perhaps as such, Greens have donated far more than 500 million dollars of their vast wealth to religious charities (and the very, very occasional secular organization). Imagine the impact of that money in poverty / harm reduction, environmental sustainability, or protection. Rather, most of it was donated to translate and distribute Bibles around the globe, or support religious leaders, ideologues, and Christian universities. They are also very consistent in their homophobia, patriarchal, anti-abortion stance, belief that the founders were Christians, and that the constitution is rooted in Christian tenets/forms a Christian nation, and other wild contradictions, like that Obamacare is not Christ-like because it could propagate abortion, and that the bible is inherently capitalistic / anti-communism. They are literally responsible for companies being able to deny covering birth control; in some ways, their business has more rights than actual people, and legitimizes legislative discrimination against whoever they deem sinful. I just don't understand how people who can insist upon the necessity of as many humans as possible reading the Bible, can then insist it swears we should restrict people from access to comprehensive healthcare, or deem them as unworthy of love, or salvation based on a litany of human criteria. They also ferociously acquired loads of both legitimate and illegitimate religious artifacts from across the globe (like the Gilgamesh tablet, which, thank goodness, has been returned to Iraq) with an almost absurd naïveté toward both provenance and UNESCO regulations, all in the name of the undeniable legitimacy of the Bible, demonstrating a level of ignorance or hypocrisy that can only fall under the very human criteria they decry so readily in others. I guess this explains their commitment to Donald Trump.
At the beginning of the book, a man was quoted as saying, "I am convinced that God did not make grey. When it comes to moral issues, there is only black of white." If true, there is only one way to classify the type of people these folks are: deluded billionaires. Despite this, we must hold with the contradiction that all evidence thereof is exactly what the Greens et al. would put forth as their litany of goodness. Truly, it boggles the mind how folks can be both ignorantly and willfully cruel, and insist upon the purity of their own plume. I think Jesus would physically recoil if he could see how people contort his doctrine to justify that cruelty.
Prior even really to the Greens, this book opens with the introduction to Holiness and Pentecostalism, which gave me all the exercise in red flag waving I needed to get primed for this wild ride, though the iteration they described allowed women to preach, which is distinct from the ones I've known (thinking of you, Beth Barr). The absolute poverty so many of these families lived in in the early days of Pentecostalism, e.g. insisting on giving 10% of their income despite needing to feed six kids, and the transition to a faith of material plenty ("gospel of prosperity") and into televangelism gives me whiplash, but I appear in the minority of this opinion. While tithing was "just what people did," it also seemed to legitimize the otherworldly wealth that some families later burst into as a product of commercializing their evangelicalism. To argue that the bible is explicitly capitalistic, advance "Biblical economics," and relate the gospel through various relationships of ownership feels both wildly dissonant from the core of love thy neighbor, and also deeply American.
What I find particularly wild is that the Greens seem to think God literally talks to them, modern English sarcasm included, gives continuously effective business advice, and cares about their financial success as an extension of his own kingdom and wonders. "God cares about employee retention," is a real quote from their patriarch, David. Every swing of the economy or legislation was interpreted as something they were doing right.
Perhaps as such, Greens have donated far more than 500 million dollars of their vast wealth to religious charities (and the very, very occasional secular organization). Imagine the impact of that money in poverty / harm reduction, environmental sustainability, or protection. Rather, most of it was donated to translate and distribute Bibles around the globe, or support religious leaders, ideologues, and Christian universities. They are also very consistent in their homophobia, patriarchal, anti-abortion stance, belief that the founders were Christians, and that the constitution is rooted in Christian tenets/forms a Christian nation, and other wild contradictions, like that Obamacare is not Christ-like because it could propagate abortion, and that the bible is inherently capitalistic / anti-communism. They are literally responsible for companies being able to deny covering birth control; in some ways, their business has more rights than actual people, and legitimizes legislative discrimination against whoever they deem sinful. I just don't understand how people who can insist upon the necessity of as many humans as possible reading the Bible, can then insist it swears we should restrict people from access to comprehensive healthcare, or deem them as unworthy of love, or salvation based on a litany of human criteria. They also ferociously acquired loads of both legitimate and illegitimate religious artifacts from across the globe (like the Gilgamesh tablet, which, thank goodness, has been returned to Iraq) with an almost absurd naïveté toward both provenance and UNESCO regulations, all in the name of the undeniable legitimacy of the Bible, demonstrating a level of ignorance or hypocrisy that can only fall under the very human criteria they decry so readily in others. I guess this explains their commitment to Donald Trump.
At the beginning of the book, a man was quoted as saying, "I am convinced that God did not make grey. When it comes to moral issues, there is only black of white." If true, there is only one way to classify the type of people these folks are: deluded billionaires. Despite this, we must hold with the contradiction that all evidence thereof is exactly what the Greens et al. would put forth as their litany of goodness. Truly, it boggles the mind how folks can be both ignorantly and willfully cruel, and insist upon the purity of their own plume. I think Jesus would physically recoil if he could see how people contort his doctrine to justify that cruelty.
April 30, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and Publix Affairs for this ARC.
I found this book absolutely fascinating. It’s covers both the history of the Green family and the founding of Hobby Lobby. The book starts by covering the early life of David Green and his parents and how he ultimately got into the retail business. It continues to follow the growth of Hobby Lobby and the trials and tribulations the store and family faced.
The parts I found really interesting covered the history of Christian evangelicalism and how this influenced the way the Greens run Hobby Lobby and the causes they contribute too. It covers the pet cause each of David’s sons were interested in (one focuses on bible translations and religious films and the other focuses on ancient artifacts). It also covers the controversies they have faced.
I found it very readable and would highly recommend.
August 10, 2026
3.5 rounded up. There’s a lot going on in this book, and if you are aware as I have been of Hobby Lobby’s ventures both in the Supreme Court and Biblical archaeology, none of it will be very surprising. That Hobby Lobby uses its money for such distasteful ventures, and that it has been so influential in the rollback of specifically women’s reproductive rights, has been well known for a long time. But there’s something here about how tolerant we are willing to be over corporations using their largesse to push fundamentalist and restrictive worldviews on a population.
August 11, 2026
Blanding did a good job at explaining the history of this company, the theological elements that made my eyes cross, and the scandal that rocked the antiquities world. Very captivating and not talking down on those who are religious.
Impressive to actually get interviews with those related to the cases. As a crafter, too, David Green's disinterest in crafts (originally starting the store because of previous work with frames and understanding department stores) explains....a lot.....
Impressive to actually get interviews with those related to the cases. As a crafter, too, David Green's disinterest in crafts (originally starting the store because of previous work with frames and understanding department stores) explains....a lot.....
August 17, 2026
Narrated by Rob Reiner
August 13, 2026
An indepth analysis of Hobby Lobby and the Green family. Part history of the Bible itself, and part analysis of those who follow it as the one and only truth, Mr Blanding does a very good job of showcasing what strong, and some may call misguided beliefs, and more money than one could hope for in a 100 lifetimes, does to people who want to convert those around them. He does not judge the Greens for their faith but instead shows how that faith, and a lot of money, can be used to change policy, influence others and drive a particular narrative as they expand their retail empire.
August 1, 2026
This was such an interesting read! I really appreciated the author's efforts to explain the family's beliefs without giving them too much credence, especially the chapter giving background on the Bible's expansion to the people.
August 1, 2026
Even more reasons to never shop at Hobby Lobby.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Truth: I read this book so I can better explain to my quilt group why they should NOT shop at Hobby Lobby. With the demise of Joanne Fabrics and local quilt stores, we don’t have many places left to shop. So my friends go to Hobby Lobby and Michael’s Crafts and Walmart.
Truth: My husband is a retired United Methodist clergyman. For thirty-eight years I was involved with supporting the churches we served. I taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, went to potlucks and attended services. Since retirement, I have not been active in a church.
Truth: My faith was always inclusive and not Christo-centric. While my husband was in seminary I audited classes including Bible studies and theology including a course on Reinhold Niebuhr’s Moral Man and Immoral Society. The professors had been active in the Civil Rights movement.
Truth: My husband’s career spanned the time when Mainstream denominations were in decline and the evangelical, conservative, Christian movement was in ascension. People queried why I preferred Afternoon at the Met to the Christian music station. Why I read 19th c novels instead of fiction imagining the End Times. When we elected to homeschool our son, other homeschoolers were wary of me, especially when I admitted to supporting gay and lesbians in their fight for equality and justice. I once wrote an op ed for the local small town newspaper countering a pastor’s anti-gay one.
This book brought back a lot of memories of what I saw during my husband’s career.
The Green family’s faith is deep and sincere. They truly want to understand God’s will for their lives. It would be admirable except they believe there is only one truth and it is their purpose to ensure that all the world accepts their understanding.
They have used their fortune to support this purpose. They went to court to deny their employees health insurance that covers birth control. The movement they support has caused great pain and persecution.
The Green family focused on collecting early Biblical writings and bibles in a quest to discover the earliest and most complete document. They ended up purchasing illegal and fake items.
Blanding’s book places the Green family and their business within the social evolution of the evangelical movement and how that movement took over Republican politics. Their financial support helped achieve conservative goals, including overturning abortion rights.
The evangelical movement was rife with corruption leading to the downfall of televangelists and TV personalities and university presidents when their immoral behavior was revealed. (I had worked as a temp at Hillsdale College during the time the president was having an affair with his son’s wife.)
Blanding covers the rise of the conservative Christians’ alliance with the Republican party, culminating with their embrace of Trump. The president’s White Christian Nationalism feeds into a mindset that has rewritten history to present Thomas Jefferson as an evangelical Christian.
The book admits the damage fallout of the Green’s mission, but the family is portrayed as well meaning and naive. Blanding falls short of condemnation while admitting the Greens are intent on forcing their worldview on the world.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
Truth: My husband is a retired United Methodist clergyman. For thirty-eight years I was involved with supporting the churches we served. I taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, went to potlucks and attended services. Since retirement, I have not been active in a church.
Truth: My faith was always inclusive and not Christo-centric. While my husband was in seminary I audited classes including Bible studies and theology including a course on Reinhold Niebuhr’s Moral Man and Immoral Society. The professors had been active in the Civil Rights movement.
Truth: My husband’s career spanned the time when Mainstream denominations were in decline and the evangelical, conservative, Christian movement was in ascension. People queried why I preferred Afternoon at the Met to the Christian music station. Why I read 19th c novels instead of fiction imagining the End Times. When we elected to homeschool our son, other homeschoolers were wary of me, especially when I admitted to supporting gay and lesbians in their fight for equality and justice. I once wrote an op ed for the local small town newspaper countering a pastor’s anti-gay one.
This book brought back a lot of memories of what I saw during my husband’s career.
The Green family’s faith is deep and sincere. They truly want to understand God’s will for their lives. It would be admirable except they believe there is only one truth and it is their purpose to ensure that all the world accepts their understanding.
They have used their fortune to support this purpose. They went to court to deny their employees health insurance that covers birth control. The movement they support has caused great pain and persecution.
The Green family focused on collecting early Biblical writings and bibles in a quest to discover the earliest and most complete document. They ended up purchasing illegal and fake items.
Blanding’s book places the Green family and their business within the social evolution of the evangelical movement and how that movement took over Republican politics. Their financial support helped achieve conservative goals, including overturning abortion rights.
The evangelical movement was rife with corruption leading to the downfall of televangelists and TV personalities and university presidents when their immoral behavior was revealed. (I had worked as a temp at Hillsdale College during the time the president was having an affair with his son’s wife.)
Blanding covers the rise of the conservative Christians’ alliance with the Republican party, culminating with their embrace of Trump. The president’s White Christian Nationalism feeds into a mindset that has rewritten history to present Thomas Jefferson as an evangelical Christian.
The book admits the damage fallout of the Green’s mission, but the family is portrayed as well meaning and naive. Blanding falls short of condemnation while admitting the Greens are intent on forcing their worldview on the world.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
July 14, 2026
Thank you PublicAffairs for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
Born in 1980, right when evangelical support ushered Reagan into office, I have felt my life punctuated by the evolution of American evangelicalism. My childhood cartoons and The Price is Right viewings were routinely interjected with Billy Graham’s specials and Tammy Faye’s tear-streaked please for money. My teens were defined by True Love Waits, Promise Keepers, The Left Behind Novels, and The Passion of the Christ. In my professional life, working retail in Florida meant navigating a polarized landscape where choosing between “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas” carried real consequences, all while driving past oddities like Dinosaur World and the Holy Land Experience. Now, what should be the best years of my life are marred by the chaos of radical Christian Nationalists and money-backed politicians. I doubt evangelicals realize how a lifetime of witnessing their double standards and corruption pushes away people who grew up close to God.
This ongoing chaos forced me to scrutinize where my money goes, ensuring my dollars do not fund agendas actively fighting against my well-being. Wanting to make an educated decision about a major corporation, I turned to Michael Blanding’s The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby. It delivered exactly what I needed, and more.
At first glance, using profits and tax breaks to fund a mission to share the Bible globally sounds noble. However, their hypocrisy is maddening. The Greens forcefully impose their ideas on others while turning a blind eye to the greed, corruption, fraud, sexual misconduct allegations, theft, scams, hate, and violence tied to themselves and the prominent figures they bankroll. Alongside the family history, the book masterfully details biblical history, the separation of church and state, religious antiquities, and complex judicial proceedings. It is incredibly fast-paced and engrossing for non-fiction, compiled seamlessly from countless sources without an ounce of fluff. My only wish is that it were fiction, rather than a true story of real people damaging innocent bystanders.
What struck me most is how the Green family and other evangelical leaders view themselves as God’s chosen stewards. They claim the Bible is inerrant and that only their interpretation is correct, dismissing all others. Yet, history shows everyone manipulates scripture to fit their own agenda. The book notes they worry about their legacy 50 years from now—a bizarre concern if their work is truly strictly for God.
I commend Blanding for his impartial, matter-of-fact presentation. Nearly every sentence is sourced, completely free of editorial opinion. The facts are so compelling that they require no authorial bias; the story indicts itself. Because of its logical, research-driven presentation, I hope people of all viewpoints read it. As for me, my stance is clear.
Read more book reviews on my blog...
https://fortandfield.blogspot.com/202...
Born in 1980, right when evangelical support ushered Reagan into office, I have felt my life punctuated by the evolution of American evangelicalism. My childhood cartoons and The Price is Right viewings were routinely interjected with Billy Graham’s specials and Tammy Faye’s tear-streaked please for money. My teens were defined by True Love Waits, Promise Keepers, The Left Behind Novels, and The Passion of the Christ. In my professional life, working retail in Florida meant navigating a polarized landscape where choosing between “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas” carried real consequences, all while driving past oddities like Dinosaur World and the Holy Land Experience. Now, what should be the best years of my life are marred by the chaos of radical Christian Nationalists and money-backed politicians. I doubt evangelicals realize how a lifetime of witnessing their double standards and corruption pushes away people who grew up close to God.
This ongoing chaos forced me to scrutinize where my money goes, ensuring my dollars do not fund agendas actively fighting against my well-being. Wanting to make an educated decision about a major corporation, I turned to Michael Blanding’s The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby. It delivered exactly what I needed, and more.
At first glance, using profits and tax breaks to fund a mission to share the Bible globally sounds noble. However, their hypocrisy is maddening. The Greens forcefully impose their ideas on others while turning a blind eye to the greed, corruption, fraud, sexual misconduct allegations, theft, scams, hate, and violence tied to themselves and the prominent figures they bankroll. Alongside the family history, the book masterfully details biblical history, the separation of church and state, religious antiquities, and complex judicial proceedings. It is incredibly fast-paced and engrossing for non-fiction, compiled seamlessly from countless sources without an ounce of fluff. My only wish is that it were fiction, rather than a true story of real people damaging innocent bystanders.
What struck me most is how the Green family and other evangelical leaders view themselves as God’s chosen stewards. They claim the Bible is inerrant and that only their interpretation is correct, dismissing all others. Yet, history shows everyone manipulates scripture to fit their own agenda. The book notes they worry about their legacy 50 years from now—a bizarre concern if their work is truly strictly for God.
I commend Blanding for his impartial, matter-of-fact presentation. Nearly every sentence is sourced, completely free of editorial opinion. The facts are so compelling that they require no authorial bias; the story indicts itself. Because of its logical, research-driven presentation, I hope people of all viewpoints read it. As for me, my stance is clear.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For a crafting store, Hobby Lobby is very divisive, particularly because of its owners’ beliefs. Blanding explains the evangelical roots of the Greens, founders of the store which became an empire. They also discuss the roots of the evangelical movement, including the Pentacostal tradition, revival meetings, and televangelists. Blanding examines the Greens’ connection to such controversial figures as Bill Gothard (of IBLP fame who resigned because of accusations of SA) and Donald Trump. I found the bits about Gothard interesting; I know two families who are currently recovering from Gothardism. Blanding also sheds light upon the Greens’ conservative political ideology and activism, which is enlightening to say the least. But what surprised me was the link between Hobby Lobby and the biblical museum they founded, and illegally sourced antiquities, many of which were illegally removed from Egypt and Iraq.
Blanding does not approach the subject with neutrality, however. There is a certain detachment at the start of the story, particularly when discussing the first generation of the Greens and the rise of evangelism. This morphs into disapproval midway through the book, and the viewpoint becomes very negative during the discussion of Hobby Lobby’s politics. I didn’t have an issue with this because everyone has a viewpoint and an agenda, not least journalists. But it’s definitely not an unbiased opinion, this book.
I found it to be an interesting book that held my attention, which is miraculous, seeing as how I have the attention span of a two year old hopped up on pixie sticks. Hobby Lobby had appeared in my periphery until the court case in which the company refused to pay for certain types of healthcare. This book gave details, names dates, etc, and delved deeply into the subject. I was especially surprised by the Greens’ foray into filmmaking (with a couple of notable examples of poorly executed film) and by the topic of two of their films: missionaries who had been unalived by the very people they were trying to convert, whose family members chose to dwell with the tribe responsible. The book portrays the Greens as idealistic and somewhat obtuse, but exceptionally canny about business, and later how to use their money and power to support extremism.
I would recommend this book. Be aware, however, that if you aren’t interested or if you already know about the history of the evangelical movement, you might find a good chunk of the book repetitive or boring. I didn’t, but I understand that history of religion is not always a reader’s cup of tea. I didn’t find the book to be boring because I appreciated the work that went into this deep look at Hobby Lobby.
#netgalley
Blanding does not approach the subject with neutrality, however. There is a certain detachment at the start of the story, particularly when discussing the first generation of the Greens and the rise of evangelism. This morphs into disapproval midway through the book, and the viewpoint becomes very negative during the discussion of Hobby Lobby’s politics. I didn’t have an issue with this because everyone has a viewpoint and an agenda, not least journalists. But it’s definitely not an unbiased opinion, this book.
I found it to be an interesting book that held my attention, which is miraculous, seeing as how I have the attention span of a two year old hopped up on pixie sticks. Hobby Lobby had appeared in my periphery until the court case in which the company refused to pay for certain types of healthcare. This book gave details, names dates, etc, and delved deeply into the subject. I was especially surprised by the Greens’ foray into filmmaking (with a couple of notable examples of poorly executed film) and by the topic of two of their films: missionaries who had been unalived by the very people they were trying to convert, whose family members chose to dwell with the tribe responsible. The book portrays the Greens as idealistic and somewhat obtuse, but exceptionally canny about business, and later how to use their money and power to support extremism.
I would recommend this book. Be aware, however, that if you aren’t interested or if you already know about the history of the evangelical movement, you might find a good chunk of the book repetitive or boring. I didn’t, but I understand that history of religion is not always a reader’s cup of tea. I didn’t find the book to be boring because I appreciated the work that went into this deep look at Hobby Lobby.
#netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, let's get this out of the way first. Yes, this is about the craft store Hobby Lobby. If you didn't know, the family who owns the stores is VERY Christian. Or, as I like to say, very Jesus-y. This is not a statement of judgment, but of fact. If you don't think so, well, just go ahead and read The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby by Michael Blanding. By the end, you will also agree that the Greens, who own Hobby Lobby, are true believers. They are also obsessive relic collectors, top-notch business people, and real estate moguls who donate more than they keep.
First, I think it is important to address the elephant in the room (which is technically a pun in this case), politics will be a part of this book. That said, I hate contemporary politics, but I think Blanding does an exceptional job staying on task. This task is explaining how the Greens are involved in all of this. You know whose side Blanding is on, but he stays in his lane as the author who is imparting the information to you. He never makes himself part of this story.
And he doesn't need to because goodness gracious the Greens are interesting. You can decide whether it is a good or bad interesting, but this book kept my attention straight through. Hobby Lobby was built from nothing and then became basically a bank and real estate dispenser for various evangelical Christian causes. In fact, probably all of the causes. Blanding starts from the beginning and explains where patriarch David Green came from, and how he built a crafts empire. This alone would be an interesting case study, but that would be to ignore the massive influence the Green family has on a sizeable portion of the American electorate. Oh, and how they run around grabbing up artifacts of dubious provenance like a less-informed Indiana Jones. Oh, and the media empire. I could go on.
As I said, there is a version of this book which is a tiresome screed against religion and evangelical politics. Blanding will call out inconsistencies when he sees them and that goes for both sides of the religious and political divide. However, the author never doubts the sincerity of the Greens. Yes, they may make some truly bad choices, but they are true believers who are trying to do what they believe to be right. They are not looking for power or an angle to better their lives at the expense of other people. They want to help people in their own very specific way.
Now, if their "help" is helping or harming, well that's why you should read this book. And to be clear, you should definitely read this book.
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by PublicAffairs and NetGalley.)
First, I think it is important to address the elephant in the room (which is technically a pun in this case), politics will be a part of this book. That said, I hate contemporary politics, but I think Blanding does an exceptional job staying on task. This task is explaining how the Greens are involved in all of this. You know whose side Blanding is on, but he stays in his lane as the author who is imparting the information to you. He never makes himself part of this story.
And he doesn't need to because goodness gracious the Greens are interesting. You can decide whether it is a good or bad interesting, but this book kept my attention straight through. Hobby Lobby was built from nothing and then became basically a bank and real estate dispenser for various evangelical Christian causes. In fact, probably all of the causes. Blanding starts from the beginning and explains where patriarch David Green came from, and how he built a crafts empire. This alone would be an interesting case study, but that would be to ignore the massive influence the Green family has on a sizeable portion of the American electorate. Oh, and how they run around grabbing up artifacts of dubious provenance like a less-informed Indiana Jones. Oh, and the media empire. I could go on.
As I said, there is a version of this book which is a tiresome screed against religion and evangelical politics. Blanding will call out inconsistencies when he sees them and that goes for both sides of the religious and political divide. However, the author never doubts the sincerity of the Greens. Yes, they may make some truly bad choices, but they are true believers who are trying to do what they believe to be right. They are not looking for power or an angle to better their lives at the expense of other people. They want to help people in their own very specific way.
Now, if their "help" is helping or harming, well that's why you should read this book. And to be clear, you should definitely read this book.
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by PublicAffairs and NetGalley.)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby is a damning exposé of the powerful Green family and all that they've done in our country to power Christian Nationalism and the rise of Donald Trump. This family, the founders of Hobby Lobby, are, through channels including Signatry, some of the strongest funders behind the powerful Alliance Defending Freedom, or ADF, a powerful force behind Supreme Court decisions including Dobbs; the insidious "He Gets Us" advertisement campaign; and Project 2025. They are a powerful symbol of how entwined capitalism, the "prosperity gospel," and the idea that the USA is, and should be, a Christian nation run by Christian faith, have all contributed to the fierce rise of conservatives in our current politics.
While the book takes a moment to set its scene, explaining how the Green family rose into its wealth and forged an empire rooted in an evangelizing mission, it picks up strongly. Most of all when it hits a story that went under-reported as it peaked during the pandemic: the Museum of the Bible, founded by the Greens and funded by them through donations that they carefully purchased, sorted, "donated," and then wrote off on their taxes, was revealed to hold a tremendous number of stolen, trafficked, and forged artifacts that were seized and returned to Egypt, Iraq, and others. This museum is intensely misleading and a center for Christian nationalism, and meanwhile its artifacts are stored (yes, really) in a Hobby Lobby warehouse. Next to the crafts inventory.
Michael Blanding's revelatory book is an extremely dark look into the insidiousness of modern-day Christian nationalism and its underappreciated, growing impact on the Republican party over the last few decades. It's also a disturbing view into the impact of the power the US has granted corporations to influence our society, and into the way elites are able to use their millions to influence, persecute, and evangelize without ever showing the real faces behind the impact. A revealing read, with a thousand reasons to boycott Hobby Lobby once and forever contained inside. Out July 14 from Public Affairs Books.
While the book takes a moment to set its scene, explaining how the Green family rose into its wealth and forged an empire rooted in an evangelizing mission, it picks up strongly. Most of all when it hits a story that went under-reported as it peaked during the pandemic: the Museum of the Bible, founded by the Greens and funded by them through donations that they carefully purchased, sorted, "donated," and then wrote off on their taxes, was revealed to hold a tremendous number of stolen, trafficked, and forged artifacts that were seized and returned to Egypt, Iraq, and others. This museum is intensely misleading and a center for Christian nationalism, and meanwhile its artifacts are stored (yes, really) in a Hobby Lobby warehouse. Next to the crafts inventory.
Michael Blanding's revelatory book is an extremely dark look into the insidiousness of modern-day Christian nationalism and its underappreciated, growing impact on the Republican party over the last few decades. It's also a disturbing view into the impact of the power the US has granted corporations to influence our society, and into the way elites are able to use their millions to influence, persecute, and evangelize without ever showing the real faces behind the impact. A revealing read, with a thousand reasons to boycott Hobby Lobby once and forever contained inside. Out July 14 from Public Affairs Books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby by Michael Blanding is a well-researched deep-dive into the history and machinations of one of the richest families in America, and how they personally helped push Christian Nationalism in America.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told the story of how Hobby Lobby stole and forged ancient artifacts from other countries for their Bible museum to stunned acquaintances at parties. This is one of those news headlines that feels like it should’ve been a bigger deal than it was, and yet nobody seems to be aware that it even happened.
While I initially picked up this book to watch some of the wealthiest men in America trip over their big clown shoes as they commit one of the dumbest crimes in US history, It was also fascinating seeing how Evangelism got its start, and how the Green family used their money and influence to push their religious agenda and change politics in America for the worse. I was tuned in to most of the big shifts mentioned in this book as they happened, but I was shocked to learn just how hard Hobby Lobby was pressing its thumb on the scale behind the scenes. I had to take frequent breaks because I kept getting stress headaches. Everything that happens in this book is so frustrating and stupid, and I think it’s important that everyone knows about it.
Please read this book, this story is fascinating and completely insane.
Thank you PublicAffairs for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told the story of how Hobby Lobby stole and forged ancient artifacts from other countries for their Bible museum to stunned acquaintances at parties. This is one of those news headlines that feels like it should’ve been a bigger deal than it was, and yet nobody seems to be aware that it even happened.
While I initially picked up this book to watch some of the wealthiest men in America trip over their big clown shoes as they commit one of the dumbest crimes in US history, It was also fascinating seeing how Evangelism got its start, and how the Green family used their money and influence to push their religious agenda and change politics in America for the worse. I was tuned in to most of the big shifts mentioned in this book as they happened, but I was shocked to learn just how hard Hobby Lobby was pressing its thumb on the scale behind the scenes. I had to take frequent breaks because I kept getting stress headaches. Everything that happens in this book is so frustrating and stupid, and I think it’s important that everyone knows about it.
Please read this book, this story is fascinating and completely insane.
Thank you PublicAffairs for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The subject matter here is genuinely fascinating: a billionaire craft store family quietly bankrolling a Christian nationalist movement, acquiring looted biblical antiquities, and fighting Supreme Court cases, all while selling yarn and fake flowers.
Michael Blanding clearly did his homework, and the history of both the Green family empire and the broader evangelical movement is worth knowing.
But I kept bumping up against the same question: what is this book trying to be? Part corporate exposé, part family biography, part evangelical movement history, and it never quite commits. The structure suffers for it. Long biographical detours on prominent figures in the evangelical world sit awkwardly alongside the Greens’ own story, and the transitions between them are rough enough to give you whiplash.
The identity crisis of the book is a shame, and caused the pacing to suffer. It felt like it took me forever to finish, despite the content being interesting.
If the subjects interest you, definitely give the book a shot. I don't regret reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and PublicAffairs publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Michael Blanding clearly did his homework, and the history of both the Green family empire and the broader evangelical movement is worth knowing.
But I kept bumping up against the same question: what is this book trying to be? Part corporate exposé, part family biography, part evangelical movement history, and it never quite commits. The structure suffers for it. Long biographical detours on prominent figures in the evangelical world sit awkwardly alongside the Greens’ own story, and the transitions between them are rough enough to give you whiplash.
The identity crisis of the book is a shame, and caused the pacing to suffer. It felt like it took me forever to finish, despite the content being interesting.
If the subjects interest you, definitely give the book a shot. I don't regret reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and PublicAffairs publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and PublicAffairs for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Hobby Lobby is so much more than just a craft store. The family behind it all are major players in the white evangelical conservative movement, funneling billions of dollars in profit into organizations like the Heritage Foundation, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), and the Museum of the Bible, to name a few. Their impact spans generations, and I was surprised to learn about all the family has had a hand in.
The book is dense with facts, and as someone with an evangelical background, the transitions between the Green family narrative and the history of Christian nationalism were fairly easy to follow, but I can see this being a challenge for readers who don't have any prior knowledge. I wish the ideas expressed in the author's epilogue were not just included at the end but woven into the body of the novel; this was the most powerful piece in my opinion. I think that would have made the intent of the book more clear to the general reader. Overall, I would rate this book a 3.5.
Anyways, shop Michaels!
Hobby Lobby is so much more than just a craft store. The family behind it all are major players in the white evangelical conservative movement, funneling billions of dollars in profit into organizations like the Heritage Foundation, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), and the Museum of the Bible, to name a few. Their impact spans generations, and I was surprised to learn about all the family has had a hand in.
The book is dense with facts, and as someone with an evangelical background, the transitions between the Green family narrative and the history of Christian nationalism were fairly easy to follow, but I can see this being a challenge for readers who don't have any prior knowledge. I wish the ideas expressed in the author's epilogue were not just included at the end but woven into the body of the novel; this was the most powerful piece in my opinion. I think that would have made the intent of the book more clear to the general reader. Overall, I would rate this book a 3.5.
Anyways, shop Michaels!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A thoroughly researched and well written book about how the son of two Pentecostal preachers started and grew a multibillion dollar craft business based on his fundamentalist Christian views. It highlights his financial support for Christian Nationalism, his anti abortion stance (including contraception), and his fight against the LBGTQ+ community, Entire chapters devoted to an overview of the bible and the collection of biblical antiquities were enlightening as well as the hypocrisy of the Green family knowingly buying stolen artifacts while espousing Christian values. A must read for anyone interested in the Christian Nationalist movement or the role that fundamentalist Christians are playing in our national politics. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and PublicAffairs for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and PublicAffairs for an advanced reader copy.
June 27, 2026
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby follows the Green family (founders of the craft store empire) through the rise of Christian Nationalism in America.
This book is incredibly academic - Blanding has certainly done his homework, which I can appreciate. I learned a lot about the ethics of archaeology, fundamental Christianity in America and the Bible.
If you're expecting a Righteous Gemstones style exposé of sex and drugs (I was!!), you will be disappointed. The Green family is squeaky clean, just a little naïve & overconfident with an extremely simplistic view of the world. Maybe that's what so dangerous about the Greens - their poltical power is understated but impactful.
If Blanding's goal was for me to never shop at Hobby Lobby ever again, he succeeded.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair review
This book is incredibly academic - Blanding has certainly done his homework, which I can appreciate. I learned a lot about the ethics of archaeology, fundamental Christianity in America and the Bible.
If you're expecting a Righteous Gemstones style exposé of sex and drugs (I was!!), you will be disappointed. The Green family is squeaky clean, just a little naïve & overconfident with an extremely simplistic view of the world. Maybe that's what so dangerous about the Greens - their poltical power is understated but impactful.
If Blanding's goal was for me to never shop at Hobby Lobby ever again, he succeeded.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and @PublicAffairs for this ARC. This book covers the Green family and the start of Hobby Lobby and Mardels. It begins with David Green's strong Pentecostal upbringing and how it shaped his beliefs. Everyone loves Hobby Lobby and Mardels and they have created a huge business that also supports many worthy causes. However, I think businesses should stay out of politics and they are big benefactors in political affairs. The mass majority of this book explains the start of the Museum of the Bible in WDC and how the artifacts were found or purchased which I thought was a little mundane. This author did a vast amount of research and it is worth a read. #TheGospelAccordingtoHobbyLobby #MichaelBlanding #PublicAffairs #July2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you read this book and still shop at Hobby Lobby, I would be amazed. This book charts the rise of the Green Family and their endeavors while also providing information about religious conservatives (and how they just keep getting themselves involved in pesky sex scandals!), Christian nationalism, and right-wing conservative politics. It does read a bit bland at times, and you can tell at some points that the author is trying as hard as they possibly can to remain somewhat neutral; it still provides an eye-opening look at the power the Green family has acquired as a result of deciding to open a craft store.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had potential, but it didn’t quite live up to it. I think the narrative would’ve been better if the author had focused more on how the Greene family's interpretation of their religious belief affected how they operated their business and the effects that had because of the size of the company rather than the other way around as stated in the title. The author spent several different sections, small sections, talking about various religious themes and information that failed to strongly connect to the operation of the business. It also lacked a coherent through line and jumped from somewhat related to topic to somewhat related topic. I think that the effects that Hobby Lobby has had definitely deserve to be studied about this book didn’t quite do the job.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thought this was a well-researched and fairly even handed look at the family who owns Hobby Lobby and their firm conviction that they are meant to convert others to Christianity. I appreciated the context the author provides that suggests that their interpretation of things is probably wrong. And even though some people may interpret their actions as evil, the author only ever presents the family as people who are truly living out what they believe and trying to do what they believe is best for others as a result of those beliefs.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is absolutely loaded with information about Hobby Lobby and all the drama that has come with it. There is so much info but it’s laid out in a way that I could handle - the start of HL, the things in between, and everything up till the present day. The reporting is so thorough and a lot of things are explained with facts and historical tidbits, which helped especially to explain some of their religious beliefs. I was in awe by the time I got to the final page. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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