God's Almost Chosen Peoples

“Religion in the Civil War has been an understudied subject, but Rable’s thorough study goes a long way toward rectifying the neglect. . . . A heroic feat of research.” — James M. McPherson, New York Review of Books

“Brilliant and groundbreaking. . . . Rable’s engrossing study of the role of religion in the Civil War will stand as the definitive religious history of America’s most divisive conflict.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“An excellent analysis. . . . Stands out for its accessibility and thorough research. . . . Highly recommended for readers of Civil War history or American religious history.” — Library Journal

“Rable’s sweeping book synthesizes a massive amount of primary source material and provides a narrative that unfolds as intensely as the war it chronicles.” — Journal of American History

“God’s Almost Chosen Peoples is one of the most significant books published in recent years on a Civil War subject. Impeccably researched and gracefully written, it fills a significant void in the historiography of the conflict….God’s Almost Chosen Peoples should stand for years as the definitive work on religion and the Civil War. The author’s research is meticulous, his narrative flowing, and his judgments sound. Dr. Rable’s important book is recommended without reservation.” — Blue and Gray Magazine

“Until George C. Rable’s God’s Almost Chosen Peoples . . . an exploration of the role of religion has been strangely absent from the standard histories of the sectional conflict.” — Foreword Magazine

“The most comprehensive and deeply researched account of the role of religion in the American Civil War to date. . . . No other study has canvassed such a collection of source materials on the topic. . . . God’s Almost Chosen Peoples should become the starting point for any future studies of religion and the Civil War.” — Civil War Book Review

“Research [this] estimable warrants delighted admiration, even were it presented without any special éclat — as so often is the case. But Rable’s prose breaks the mold and makes God’s Almost Chosen Peoples gratifying reading, accessible to any audience. . . . Interesting and important.” — America’s Civil War

“A groundbreaking account. . . . Examining a wide range of published and unpublished documents . . . Rable illuminates the broad role of religion during the Civil War. . . . The only comprehensive religious history of the war. . . . Will make an important addition to your Civil War library. . . . Excellent.” — Lone Star Book Review

“Encompasses a wide range of religious expression in the United States at the time. . . . Contains many anecdotes that illustrate how religion played an essential part in the war.” — University of Alabama News