About the Book

Americans were once content to disregard religion as a criterion for voting. But today’s voters have come to expect candidates to fully reveal their personal relationship to the Almighty. In God in the White House, Historian Randall Balmer takes us on a tour of presidential religiosity in the last half of the twentieth century - from Kennedy’s 1960 speech that proposed an almost absolute wall between American political and religious life to George W. Bush’s overt Christian messages. God in the White House explores the paradox of Americans’ expectation that presidents should simultaneously trumpet their religious views and relationship to God while supporting the separation of church and state.

Randall Balmer is professor of American religious history at Barnard College, Columbia University, and visiting professor at Yale University Divinity School. He is editor-at-large for Christianity Today, and his commentaries on religion in America have appeared in Sojourners, The Nation, the New York Times, and in newspapers across the country. He regularly appears on television and radio to discuss contemporary religious issues in America. His books include Thy Kingdom Come: An Evangelical’s Lament and Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, which was made into a three-part documentary for PBS. He lives in Woodbury, Connecticut with his wife Catherine Randall.

“Whether you agree or disagree with Randall Balmer’s politics, his new book is a valuable contribution to a conversation that will be with us always.”

– Jon Meacham, Editor of Newsweek and author of Franklin and Winston and American Gospel

Critical Praise

Balmer traces the culture’s journey from the days of Kennedy and his famous speech promising to keep religion out of politics to George W. Bush trolling explicitly for believers’ votes . . . Balmer wisely counsels skepticism that candidates’ religious statements foretell moral governance. — The Boston Globe

A thoughtful analysis of the nine presidents from Kennedy to George W. Bush. Balmer contends that no clear connection exists between a president’s faith and personal morality and his policies. . . Balmer’s critique of American Christian’s self-delusion and hubris is commendable. — Books & Culture

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780060872588
• ISBN 10: 0060872586
• Imprint: HarperOne
• On Sale: 01/06/2009
• Trimsize: 5.310 in (w) x 8.000 in (h) x 0.580 in (d)
• Pages: 256
• List Price: $14.99
• BISAC1 : HISTORY / General
• BISAC2 : HISTORY / United States / General
• BISAC3 : HISTORY / United States / 20th Century
• BISAC4 : HISTORY / United States / 21st Century
• BISAC5 : RELIGION / General
• BISAC6 : RELIGION / Religion, Politics & State