Church History: The Democratization of American Christity
Book Report: Hatch, Nathan. The Democratization of American Christianity. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1989. ISBN: 0300050607.
Book Review – Each student will write a 2,000-word book review of Nathan Hatch’s The Democratization of American Christianity (word count does not include a title page, footnotes, bibliography, etc.).
BOOK: Hatch, Nathan. The Democratization of American Christianity. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1989. ISBN: 0300050607.
Directions for your Book Review:
Overview: You will read Nathan Hatch’s Democratization of American Christianity and write a 2,000-word review of it (roughly 7-8 pages; word count does not include a title page, footnotes, bibliography, etc.). You will submit your review to Turnitin in Canvas; please check the syllabus for the due date. Total Points Possible: 200
Directions: Your review should contain a thorough summary and thoughtful, critical evaluation. Here is a list of topics you should cover:
1) Introduction and Thesis (~400 words): In your introductory paragraph, you should briefly introduce the book and its author. From there, you will identify the central argument the book attempts to make (the thesis). Ask yourself the following question: “What is the thesis, purpose, or main goal of this book?”
2) Analysis of Argument (~900 words): This is the first major section of your review. Here, you will thoroughly summarize the contents of the book. Ask the question, “How does the author make a case for his thesis?” Identify four to six major points or themes Hatch makes which supports the thesis of the book. Write a paragraph on each point you identify, making frequent references to the contents of the text. Include quotations when necessary, but do not use any block quotes (quotes over three lines long), for they are not appropriate for a book review. Do not over quote.
3) Critical Evaluation and Conclusion (~700 words): A critical evaluation does not mean you are criticizing the book. Rather, it asks what the book does well, and what areas does it need improvement. Use the following questions to guide your writing of this section:
a) What are the book’s strengths? (List them with “first…” “second…” “third…”)
b) What significance does Hatch’s work have for the study of the history of Christianity? Is there any significance you can identify for Christians today?
c) Who is this book for? Is the book helpful for ministers, churchgoers, academics, politicians? Why, or why not?
d) What did you think of the book? (Easy to read? Boring? Etc.)
e) Conclusion: A short wrap up with your final thoughts.
You will be graded on how well you articulate your answers to these questions: are you succinct, clear, to the point, etc.? Is your review a summary or a critical review?
Style Notes:
• Use parenthetical citations for the book you are reviewing, for example: “… as noted by Hatch (256).” If by chance you need to use a footnote (i.e. to explain something or reference another work) then include one. However, footnotes are not required for this assignment.
