One Nation Under God

by James P. Moore Jr.

In this highly original approach to the history of the United States, James Moore focuses on the extraordinary role that prayer has played in every area of American life, from the time of the first settlers to the present day and beyond.

A stirring chronicle of the spiritual life of a nation, One Nation Under God shows how the faith of Americans—from the founding fathers to corporate tycoons, from composers to social reformers, from generals to slaves—was an essential ingredient in the formation of American culture, character, commerce and creed.

One Nation Under God brings together the country’s hymns, patriotic anthems, arts, and literature as a framework for telling the story of the innermost thoughts of the people who have shaped the United States we know today. Beginning with Native Americans, One Nation Under God traces the prayer lives of Quakers and Shakers, Sikhs and Muslims, Catholics and Jews, from their earliest days in the United States through the advent of cyberspace, the aftermath of 9/11, and the 2004 presidential election. It probes the approach to prayer by such diverse individuals as Benjamin Franklin, Elvis Presley, Frank Lloyd Wright, Martha Graham, J. C. Penney, Mary Pickford, Cesar Chavez, P. T. Barnum, Jackie Robinson, and Christopher Columbus. It includes every president of the United States as well as America’s farmers, clergy, immigrants, industrialists, miners, sports heroes, and scientists.

One Nation Under God shows that without prayer, the political, cultural, social, and even economic and military history of the United States would be vastly different from what it is today. It engages in a thoughtful, timely examination of the modern debate over public prayer and how the current approach to prayer bears deep roots in the philosophies of the country’s founding fathers, a subject which remains distinct from the debate over church and state.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

519 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America by James P. Moore Jr. takes a look at the important role prayer played in our history from the initial landings and settlements in the New World before there was even a thought of anything like the United States to the present with its increasing backlash against pray and religion generally. The author attempts, and in my opinion generally succeeds, in looking at the spiritual life of our country and the communities that it had evolved from. He discusses how "One Nation Under God" was a natural result of the American culture of the time and is but a representation of patriotic songs, hymns, arts, and literature. Prayer in America is not related to any specific religion and is derived from the spiritual lives of members of all religions. Much of our popular culture has its origins in religious music and hymns including celebrities as Benjamin Franklin, Elvis Presley (some of his best ballads have their roots in church), P.T. Barnum, and Jackie Robinson as well as most or all American presidents (although they may be trolling for votes), common people across the country, and every field of careers from Christopher Columbus to cyberspace. I may not be that religious personally, but I did find this an interesting and thought-provoking read and would even recommend it to atheists.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

An thoroughly researched book that contains many new and at times surprising facts about the religious commitment of many figures from American history. The author debunks some old myths and highlights the prayer life of some men and women that have traditionally not been viewed as religious. It is long, and there are places where it bogs down to perfunctory listing of names and dates but it is a must read for anyone who claims to have a knowledge of American history.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter had bought this for me when she was on a HS trip to DC back in '06, I finally got it in the queue and read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it up till the turn of the 20th century. Before then, while it did bring up some prominent Americans from time to time, it focused primarily on pastors, hymn writers, and other people of faith . I thought that after the turn of the 20th century it gradually started focusing more and more on politicians, and drifting away from regular people and prayer. Towards the end it was focused primarily on politicians, and to be quite frank, while that's all fine and good that they may be people of faith, I just don't care to hear about them. They do little or nothing to promote faith of any type, and primarily use it to gain votes from what I have seen. There were some big missed opportunities, nothing on the Jesus movement in SoCal, not really enough on the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Maybe Malcolm X for some diversity, since its about prayer of all types. I think the author did a great job when he had one faith to follow, but struggled bringing it all together when faiths became more diverse, leaving them out, rather than trying to tie it together.

Overall a good book, particularly up to the 20th century. Probably a 3.5 to 3.75.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author uses many sources to show how prayer has shaped America. Focus is mainly on presidents and Washington D. C.
Lots of information that lists sources so you can learn more if interested. Learned age of many familiar songs and hymns. Author gave history about what was going on at different stages of America's history to show how songs, prayers, and traditions came about. Very interesting to the point where it was overwhelming. Have a long list of other books that I would like to read to learn more about different periods in America's history.

[A.J. Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. If you're at all interested in the history of religion in America you will want to read this fascinating history of prayer in America. I would have given the book five stars had it included illustrations/photos. A book like this really deserves illustrations. I was missing being able to turn to them when I wanted to do so.

[Collette Mcdonough · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of American history through the lens of prayer and spirituality. It most focuses on Christianity but does include other faiths. I wish he would have included more information on women.

[Barry Paul Autry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about prayer in the United States!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the book. I liked the book group discussion our book group had about prayer and quotes taken from the book...but the book itself was hard for me to get in to. To be honest, everytime I opened it and began to read, it put me to sleep, but again, I think it made an awesome book group discussion.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I anticipated a great read, and found that it was rather boring. It ended up being a great overview of history, built around the common theme of prayer. Somehow, though, every time I'd start reading this book I'd fall asleep. I feel like I should give it another go down the road. I didn't finish it before book group, but we still had a great discussion.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scholarly history of prayer in America. Because it covers such a vast topic, however, the book presents itself as more of a chronology of every instance of prayer from American national figures rather than a synthesis of the meaning of prayer in American history. This would make a good starting point for those looking for ideas to research further in American prayer life.

[C.interruptus · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is well meaning and earnest and the author has collected a lot of information, but I had to give up around disc 3. Probably it would be more interesting to a Christian. Even so, this author's point seemed to be "Prayer has been very very important in American history." I can't make out how that could be riveting reading even for the most devout of Christians.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did this as an audio book, which I do not recommend. I had some long drives home where the content was so dry that I thought I might dose off behind the wheel. A great book in theory, less so in execution. I quit about halfway through.

[Arie · Rating 1 out of 5]

first part of the book was interesting then i think the author was stretching his points in the chapters dealing with the last 50 yrs or so. I wouldn't recommend the book.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderfully enlightening

[Andy Mitchell]

This book starts brilliantly, bogs down in the middle, and ends with a plea for an acknowledgement of the nearly universal desire of Americans to pray publicly.

[Beth Shultz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The topic was interesting, but the writing was so so.