Vote for Your Favorite Religious Historian! By John Fea
Which American Religious Historians are the Best Writers?
Over the last day or two the subscribers to the H-Net listserv H-Teach (devoted to teaching college history) have been discussing which historians are the best writers. The responses continue to pour in, but the American historians mentioned include: Simon Schama, William Hogeland, John Perkins, Patricia Limerick, Joseph Ellis, Jill Lepore, Robert Gross, Camilla Townsend, William Cronon, Eric Foner, Tim Tyson, Walter MacDougall, Edward Larson, Carol Berkin, H.W. Brands, David McCullough, Allen Nevins, and Samuel Eliot Morrison. Someone also mentioned J.G.A. Pocock!
Let me modify the question for the readers of our blog. Which American religious historians are the best writers? I look forward to reading your responses.
Comments
Grant Wacker.
I would also have to include Tracy Fessenden and Marie Griffith on my list. Tracy's newest work, _Culture and Redemption_, (of which I consistently sing praise) provides a critical assessment of American Religious History with wit and charm. Griffith's works are well-written because she is able to convey the worldview of her informants and her historical actors with empathy while simultaneously providing thoughtful critical analysis.
has taken things a step further. He ask his readers to chime in on which Mormon historian is the best writer. And he already has 32 responses!!
Stephen Prothero--I overheard someone calling him a "journalist," intending it as an insult. My take: he writes well and on things people are actually interested in. So if that makes someone a journalist, call me George Will.
Sam Hill--Southern Churches in Crisis is a classic for good reason.
For some awesomely bad writing, see:
The Bad Writing Contest Press Releases, 1996-1998
http://www.denisdutton.com/bad_writing.htm
George Marsden has a way of making one feel like they were there--his biography of Edwards transports me to the 18th century in a way few books do (Tommy Kidd--his former student--manages to do this as well, especially in his latest offering on the Great Awakening).
Robert Orsi and Thomas Tweed have a way of making theory fun and attractive and understandable--_Between Heaven and Earth_ and _Crossings and Dwellings_, respectively.
Ed Blum makes the past come alive and infuses his prose with, at times, poetic sensibility; the prose has a certain rhythm to it. This not only keeps the pages turning in _W.E.B. Bu Bois: American Prophet_ , but winsomely communicates the complexities of Du Bois's life and times.
Kathleen Flake, Catherine Brekus, Tracy Fessenden, Ann Braude, David Hall, Jon Sensbach, Colleen McDannell, Randy Balmer, and yes, of course, Grant Wacker. Some of the best writing I have read recently is found in articles. Check out: Rachel Wheeler, Philip Goff, Doug Winiarski, Martha Finch, & Katheryn Lofton for engaging writing and interesting topics.
I was surprised that so many people are on board with evangelical historians such as Stout, Marsden, and Balmer. For my money, Sensbach and Butler are among the best, and I really like David Brion Davis too.
I think it is worth mentioning some old(er) favorites too: Perry Miller, his student Edmund Morgan (who himself has some great students), Francis Parkman...