Thomas K. Beecher Minister to a Changing America, 1824-1900

Subjects:

• Religious Studies » History of Religion
• Popular Culture » American Studies
• History » American History -- Nineteenth Century

Reviews:

• Not only a fascinating study of one pastor's struggle with a changing America, this work adds appreciably to understanding the entire Beecher family. Libraries would find this...useful in the areas of American religious and intellectual history.
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  Choice
• In this fascinating biography....Glenn achieves more than simply recounting Thomas K. Beecher's life and work. She uses his thoughts and ministry as a window onto the 19th century. For this reason alone the book is not only interesting but also useful....This meticulously researched study draws on a wealth of previously untapped archival resources. In short, Thomas K. Beecher makes a fine contribution to American cultural and religious history.
  —The Journal of American History

Table of Contents:

• Preface
• Acknowledgements and a Note on the Text
• Growing Up a Beecher
• The Struggle for Independence: The Philadelphia Years
• Teaching and Courting in Hartford, Connecticut
• Coping with Failure: The Williamsburgh Ministry
• Starting Over: The Early Years of Beecher's Elmira Ministry
• Taking Risks: Marriage, Friendship, and Political Activism
• The War Years: Political Intrigue and Family Conflict
• Tackling the Elmira Establishment: Beecher and the Politics of Conflict
• Park Church: An Experiment in Christian Socialism
• Coping with Social Turmoil, Family Tragedy, and Old Age
• Epilogue
• Select Bibliography