A review by nannybonkerz
Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States by Samuel L. Perry, Andrew L. Whitehead

challenging hopeful informative sad medium-paced

5.0

Anyone and everyone who is concerned about the rise in Christian Nationalist rhetoric in the last decade should read this book. I've now read about half a dozen books on the topic, and I think I can safely say this is the best in terms of data and research. (Jesus and John Wayne is the best for historical context). 

Many of the books I've read on the topic tend to lump all evangelicals into the same group of potential Christian Nationalists. Having a significant number of evangelical Christians in my life who are NOT Christian Nationalists and folks in my life who are not practicing Christians but seem to have a remarkable bent towards Christian Nationalist beliefs, this book provided the greatest amount of context for these seemingly counter experiences. 

I would recommend this book hand over fist to anyone curious about the rise in this rhetoric in our political landscape. It also gives hope that, in fact, the number of folks who are ambassadors and accommodators are actually on the decline in the country. But as the authors point out, that in no way decreases the visibility of those who most loudly proclaim its beliefs. 

Christian nationalism is not going away any time soon and this book provides essential information on how to approach it moving forward.