Saving History

“[An] excellent debut. . . . Thoughtfully documenting and reflecting upon the contours of a uniquely American subculture, this ethnographic study will appeal to anyone interested in the pull of American Christian nationalism.”—Publishers Weekly

“Kerby’s writing is clear and crisp, resulting in an exceptionally smooth read that is full of revealing insights. . . . Saving History is an enriching read with much to offer about the cultural reproduction of white Protestant fundamentalism and Christian nationalism.”—Material Religion

“Kerby provides an interesting study of the portrayal of history as story and the way that story shapes the lives of its hearers. This accessible treatment will be valuable for a broad audience. . . . Highly recommended.”—CHOICE

“An important study . . . [that] sheds light on the molding and reimagining of history that is influencing how white evangelicals see themselves and how they respond to the current culture and political environment.”—Baptist History & Heritage

“An insightful study of Christian heritage tourism in Washington, D.C. . . . [that] persuasively shows that history matters when it comes to understanding the political activity of white evangelicals in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.”—Journal of Church and State

“I have been waiting for a book like this. The Christian nationalist tourism industry attracts thousands of Christian Right tourists each year, yet they do not usually make the news. Weaving the thoughts of ordinary tour-goers into her analysis, Kerby provides a much needed and significant contribution to understanding religion in the United States today.”—John Fea, author of Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?

“Exciting and extremely well-written, Saving History brings to life Christian heritage tours in order to illuminate how white evangelicals create a usable history by laying claim to past insider status and present outsider status—and marshal the power that comes with both. This trend in history-making is intensely prevalent among U.S. evangelicals—yet until now it has been a largely overlooked part of conservative evangelical infrastructure. A significant contribution to our understanding of Christian nationalism.”—Hillary Kaell, author of Walking Where Jesus Walked: American Christians and Holy Land Pilgrimage