Communities of Dissent

"Clearly presented material... [The religious groups'] ideas, organizational structure, and beliefs and practices are described in a readable narrative style.... Enough detail is included to give a clear understanding of the practices and ideas that have made each group unique.... The tone throughout is nonjudgmental and the emphasis is on people and their ideas. Black-and-white photos and reproductions add information and perspective to the presentation."--School Library Journal "A fair and balanced treatment of a wide range of alternative traditions in America. The prose is very readable and the vocabulary is well within the range of junior or senior high school students."--Religious Studies in Secondary Schools "Primary source inserts for each chapter and an abundance of period illustrations move the discussion along."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Exactly what the title says: a survey of Quakers, Christian Scientists, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses, among many others....One unique aspect of Stein's work is how he shows the connection between the rise of some of these alternative religious groups and how they affected racial relations and the growing liberation and empowerment of women. This feature alone makes the book worthwhile."--Reformation & Revival "Stephen J. Stein's sampling of early American church history, Communities in Dissent, focuses on forms of Christianity not widely embraced. Not surprisingly, people who embraced these expressions of faith were often ridiculed and persecuted." -- The Houston Chronicle "Clearly presented material... [The religious groups'] ideas, organizational structure, and beliefs and practices are described in a readable narrative style.... Enough detail is included to give a clear understanding of the practices and ideas that have made each group unique.... The tone throughout is nonjudgmental and the emphasis is on people and their ideas. Black-and-white photos and reproductions add information and perspective to the presentation."--School Library Journal "A fair and balanced treatment of a wide range of alternative traditions in America. The prose is very readable and the vocabulary is well within the range of junior or senior high school students."--Religious Studies in Secondary Schools "Primary source inserts for each chapter and an abundance of period illustrations move the discussion along."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Exactly what the title says: a survey of Quakers, Christian Scientists, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses, among many others....One unique aspect of Stein's work is how he shows the connection between the rise of some of these alternative religious groups and how they affected racial relations and the growing liberation and empowerment of women. This feature alone makes the book worthwhile."--Reformation & Revival