Customer Reviews

The Catholic Experience in America (The American Religious Experience)

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Dr. Varacalli's The Catholic Experience in America is a superb social history and sociological reflection of the key events of the Catholic Church in America. Its examination of different parts of the American Catholic community, the different aspects of Catholic life, the unfortunate effects on American Catholicism after 1965 of an increasingly secular culture, and the issues which have divided Catholics in recent decades will ensure that it will be a reference source of record for a long time to come. His objective, insightful study is social service at its best. He rightfully sees that only by return to orthodoxy - for Catholics to be truly Catholic - that the American Catholic community can have a salutary effect on the renewal of a troubled and confused American culture.

Stephen M. Krason, Esq.
Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies
Franciscan University of Steubenville
President, Society of Catholic Social Scientists

If someone were to tell me that he had time to read only one one book, and wanted the best, about the history of Catholicism in America, without fear of exaggeration I would tell him to read Joseph A.Varacalli's masterly THE CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA.
This is no lightweight, politically correct treatment insulting
to the critical reader, but a historical discussion both objective and probing.
Prof. Varacalli and Greenwood Press have rendered a singular service to the truth, the truth about today's crisis in the Church, and the history of how it came about.
THE CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA is a work of fine scholarship and brilliant, penetrating insight.

Donald J. D'Elia, Ph.D.
Professor of History
State University of New York
New Paltz, New York

This is a great book about the history of the Catholic Church in America. It's interesting reading, gives both sides of an issue, and provides a good understanding of the historical context, often explaining why things are the way they are in our Church. Very good treatment of current issues, and you will learn a great deal of excellent "Catholic Trivia" as you read this book. The author shows a lot of respect for the Church and our traditions. Great illustrations, and concise writing style, even when dealing with complex ideas, so it is useful for "regular folks" as well as scholarly types. and, goodness, that kid on the cover looks a lot like me at that age!!

This book provides the historical and social context for the Catholic Church in the U.S. The author presents an accurate view of the Catholic Church because he recognizes the authority of the official teaching of the Church about herself. Yet, he does not gloss over the serious problems that face the Church in America from so many who are either openly or covertly trying to undermine the traditional self-understanding of the Church. The book is a basic introduction to the Church for non-Catholics and for Catholics in the common situation of having little knowledge of their own Church's structure and history. The book is also of interest to knowledgeable and more advanced readers, especially the chapter on post-Vatican II issues. In many ways, context is everything; and this book provides the context for the evolving and fascinating situation of the Catholic Church in the U.S. (For a more detailed review, see my blog above for Sept. 20, 2006.)