Julie Ingersoll

Quivering Families

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“For evangelicals and fundamentalists, “the family” is a microcosm for the larger world; their understanding of biblical rules and images governing family life serve as a template for their efforts to shape the larger culture. This is especially true with regard to gender and sexuality. McGowin’s rich ethnography of Quiverfull mothers will surprise you by showing this seemingly obscure movement as deeply reflective of, and influential on, American culture writ large. McGowin traces the history and rise of the Quiverfull movement. She situates her careful fieldwork among Quiverfull mothers in a close and careful reading of documentary sources and literature, producing a well-rounded study of this important movement. This strategy allows her to present a complex picture balancing the statements of leaders with the everyday lived reality of practitioners, treating conflict as real and important rather than something to be smoothed over for the sake of a narrative. This is an excellent book.”

The Christian Past That Wasn't

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“In The Christian Past That Wasn't, Throckmorton takes on the whole project of Christian nationalist mythmaking. From exploring why mythic narratives are appealing to showing how damaging they are to democracy, this book couldn't be timelier.”