Religion and the American West :
Published by : University of New Mexico Press (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Physical details: ix, 193 pages illustrations (chiefly color) ; 27 cm ISBN:9780826365118; 0826365116.| Item type | Current location | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 - 299 | 200.978 Rel (Browse shelf) | Available | 116565 |
Companion to an exhibition entitled "Acts of Faith: Religion and the American West" held at the New-York Historical Society, September 22, 2023-February 25, 2024. Curated by Marci Reaven and Lily Wong.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 183-191).
Foreword / John Vanausdall -- Introduction / Jessica Lauren Nelson -- Chapter One. Sacred spaces : religion, land, and identity in the Trans-Appalachian West (1800-1840) / Jessica Lauren Nelson -- Chapter Two. Religion and empire : mythic trails, stolen homelands, and forced migration in the antebellum West (1840-1860) / Danae Jacobson -- Chapter Three. Frontier violence : making Americans and the myth of the West (1860-1890) / Konden Smith Hansen -- Chapter Four. Religion here and now / Daisy Vargas -- Conclusion. A Visual epigraph / Jessica Lauren Nelson -- Bibliography -- Contributors.
Religion and the American West offers a lavishly illustrated and comprehensive overview of the ways religion has shaped the idea of the American West and how the region has influenced broader religious and racial categories. Starting when the concept of the "American West" emerged in the early nineteenth century and continuing through modern times, Religion and the American West explores the interplay between a wide range of American belief systems, from established world religions to new spiritual innovations. Weaving together more than a hundred evocative images with compelling narrative and analysis, the book provides a fresh perspective on the story of religion and the American West. Each chapter offers revealing stories of key people, movements, and events within a larger framework of American history, showing how a diverse range of beliefs and worldviews helped shape the very idea of the West. For many people, religion was a way of constructing and defending a home for themselves in the American West. Sometimes these definitions came into conflict with each other, often in violent ways, as when Chinese immigrants were persecuted for maintaining their burial practices, or when Protestant attempts to establish missions led to warfare. At other times, religion helped strengthen a sense of community, such as the interconnected Jewish congregations established across the West. The historical roots of these various definitions continue to shape the world around us. A stunning selection of material and print culture illustrates the varied range of religious expressions across the history of the American West. Additionally, the book includes reflections from scholars and community members explaining the importance of items featured in the illustrations. These mini essays amplify a wide range of voices and perspectives, providing unique insight into the way sacred objects function within different communities. Collectively, the contributors challenge longstanding definitions of the American West and provide a new narrative that recenters our attention on the lived experiences of diverse peoples and communities. The book also serves as a companion publication for the New York Historical Society's traveling exhibition "Acts of Faith." Religion and the American West is a story of vibrant innovation and tragic conflict, showcasing how historical actors and modern day readers wrestle with the meaning of religious belief in the American West.
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