Blessed with Tourists

“The book is well written and accessible to a large audience and addresses current issues in American cultural studies, such as race and class. . . . Scholars . . . will find this book impressive and helpful for thinking about the relationship between religion and tourism.” — Journal of American Folklore

“Will be of interest to all students of American church history.” — Word and World

“Successful in examining a number of emerging themes in the study of religion and tourism, including the intersection between religion and capitalism, the production and consumption of religious sites by pilgrims and tourists, the process of resolution of contested interpretations of sacred sites, and secular interests in sacred sites.” — The Professional Geographer

“A reasoned, scholarly analysis. . . . Recommended.” — CHOICE

“Bremer does an excellent job of explaining the conflict among local residents, religious practitioners, and tourists. If you are planning a trip to San Antonio or want to know more about the Alamo City, get a copy of Blessed with Tourists.” — Mexia Daily News

“This book is at once a fine biography of the evolution of an interesting American city and a revealing case study of the many links between religion and tourism and how modern market forces and the production, consumption, and expression of religion influence each other in so many ways. The subject is wonderful, the research is impeccable, and Bremer writes elegantly and accessibly.” — Edward T. Linenthal, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

“The theme of religious pilgrimage in the United States is a neglected topic outside of the 'civil religion' area. By addressing this theme in a North American context — where commercial tourism has become a major industry — Bremer fills a scholarly void, juxtaposing religion and capitalism motifs very effectively.” — Peter W. Williams, Miami University