The Praeger Handbook of Religion and Education in the United States, 2 vols

A review of the most important cases regarding the religion clauses of the First Amendment will reveal that issues related to education take up the greatest percentage. In light of this importance, one can understand why James Carper, professor of social foundations at the University of South Carolina, and Thomas Hunt, professor of teacher education at the University of Dayton, have assembled one of Praeger Press's handbooks on this subject. The authors hope the books will be a resource for “parents, journalists, policy makers, educators, religious leaders and citizens as well as scholars” interested in this particular subject (xiii). Indeed, the volumes contain a wealth of references to most of the key historical events, groups, or movements related to the subject. The authors come from a variety of academic backgrounds and expertise and for the most part include the leading scholars in the field. Fortunately, the authors avoided asking advocates or leaders of interest groups to write about various issues. As a result, the articles largely succeed in providing accurate, balanced, and fair information about a variety of controversial groups and issues while also not whitewashing possible blemishes. For example, the anti-Catholicism and old name of [Protestants and Other] Americans United for Separation of Church and State is acknowledged in its entry, and William Martin openly questions some of Pat Robertson's dubious claims in his Christian Coalition entry.

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