Village Atheists: How America's Unbelievers Made Their Way in a Godly Nation

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A much-maligned minority throughout American history, atheists have been cast as a threat to the nation's moral fabric, barred from holding public office, and branded as irreligious misfits in a nation chosen by God. Yet, village atheists--as these godless freethinkers came to be known by the close of the nineteenth century--were also hailed for th

Reviews

"This well-written and lively text will be of interest to both scholars and more general readers with an interest in American irreligion."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A felicitous, informative story from a highly knowledgeable author."--Kirkus "Schmidt offers an entertaining yet educational read for those interested in America's secular history and the struggles many faced to become vocal freethinkers without persecution."--Library Journal "Noteworthy."--Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution "An engaging examination of unbelief in the 19th and early 20th centuries at the grassroots."--Glenn C. Altschuler, Tulsa World "Village Atheists engagingly explores a persecuted American minority."--John Garratt, PopMatters "His deep reading in letters from small-town citizens to the editors of infidel journals--a major source of the anecdotes in Village Atheists--prove that irreligion existed in all areas of the country, including what would become the Bible Belt."--Allison Miller, Perspectives on History "Schmidt's rich, deep exploration of atheist thinkers in 19th-century America contextualizes questions pressing on American Christianity today."--Choice "The extensive research and clear writing in Village Atheists provides significant enlightenment about our history."--Mark Kolsen, American Atheist "For anyone interested in the birth, growth, and development of grassroots secularism in the United States--and the leading lights of American atheism long before Sam Harris or Madalyn Murray O'Hair--this book is an absolute must."--Phil Zuckerman, Los Angeles Review of Books

Author Bio

Leigh Eric Schmidt is the Edward C. Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. His books include Restless Souls: The Making of American Spirituality and Heaven's Bride: The Unprintable Life of Ida C. Craddock, American Mystic, Scholar, Sexologist, Martyr, and Madwoman. He lives in St. Louis.