American Heretic

“Skillfully traces Parker’s intellectual evolution. . . . A masterful treatment of Parker’s life and times. . . . A fresh look at an important figure in American religious history.” — Journal of the American Academy of Religion

“Scholars of American religious history owe a debt to Grodzins for a masterful treatment of Parker’s life and times. . . . A fresh look at an important figure in American religious history.” — Journal of American Academy for Religion

“Grodzins brilliantly brings Parker to life. . . . [his] rich and textured portrait is buttressed by meticulous scholarship: He has left no available book or journal unopened. . . . Great fun: an elegant, deeply scholarly work that by turns reads like a coming-of-age novel, a conversion narrative, a tragic historical romance, and an intellectual odyssey. . . . A dazzling — and essential — read.” — UU World

“Grodzins provides an intricately remastered portrait of a highly controversial yet profoundly influential scholar and pastor. . . . Far more than an impressive account of a religious figure, American Heretic provides a noteworthy contribution to American intellectual history. . . . Highly recommended.” — CHOICE

“Grodzins has written what is without a doubt the definitive treatment of the early life of Theodore Parker. . . . For its sheer scale, depth of research, level of clarity, and more, it stands as quite an achievement.” — H-SHEAR

“This book uncovers so much new evidence and produces so many gems of original insight into Parker’s brilliant yet complex personality that any reader interested in the social or intellectual aspects of the period should profit greatly.” — American Historical Review

“A discerning and comprehensive account of Parker’s life and thought through 1846. . . . Grodzin’s sequel on the last fifteen years of Parker’s life will be eagerly awaited.” — Journal of American History

“Deeply researched, elegantly written, and [an] altogether convincing portrait of Theodore Parker. . . . Grodzins guides the reader with a sure hand and a clear commitment to Parker. . . . He seamlessly integrates published writings and extensive manuscript resources to capture the nuance, passion, and brilliance of Parker’s mind. . . . One of the best antebellum biographies of recent decades.” — Journal of the Early Republic

“An inspired biography, destined for classic status.” — Religious Studies Review

"American Heretic . . . [offers] a fair-minded, perceptive, and detailed account of the transcendentalist phase of Parker’s career from the early 1830s to 1846. — Journal of Religion