Summary:
The book is an in-depth look at the relationship between religion and politics (church-state relations) in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Chapter 1 lays out the approach taken to the project and describes the research and the book. Chapter 2 is a brief history of Springfield from its Congregational roots in the 1600s up to 1950. Chapter 3 is a history from 1950 to the then present - late 1980s. All of the history of Springfield in the book focuses on politics and religion except where other elements are relevant to the ultimate analysis, so if you are looking for a thorough treatment of the history of Springfield you should look elsewhere. Chapter 4 is a closer look at church-state relations.

Chapters 5-7 are case studies used to advance the understanding of church-state relations in Springfield. Chapter 5 focuses on the issue of homelessness. Chapter 6 takes a closer look at race issues and poor areas in Springfield. Chapter 7 examines issues of abortion and sex education in light of religion and politics.

Chapter 8, the final chapter, is where the authors bring everything together. They summarize the book and the research findings thus:

"Our own summary involves four conclusions at odds with what might have been predicted. First, despite Springfield's predominant Catholicism, there are fewer violations of the law and less bridging of church and state than many constitutional Cassandras might have expected, or than might have been predicted on the basis of community opinion. Second, this does not mean that religion has become a political cipher. Religionists of varying stripes - not exclusively Catholic - have exerted considerable political influence on selected issues, indeed more influence than many social scientists might have expected. Third, attempting to understand where religion does and does not exert civic influence leads to the realization that the contingencies and vicissitudes of power are themselves more complex than many political analysts have suggested. As one pointed example, most accounts have focused on the 'structure' of power, but it is the 'culture' of power - and the power of culture - that requires increasing attention. Fourth, and finally, religion's varying influence on civic matters is obviously related to larger changes in religion itself. Once again there are paradoxes to be confronted. A continuing religious influence in community disputes is not a rebuttal to long-term trends of secularization, as many students of religion might aver. Secularization and sacralization are more mutually dependent than mutually exclusive, and each tendency can only be understood with reference to the other."

The findings are based on interviews, comparative analysies, and survey data collected by the authors.

My Comments:
Unlike many 'academic' books, this book is intentionally designed to be readable. Undoubtedly there are many parts that might not be understandable to the individual that is not a specialist in sociology or the sociology of religion specifically. However, the authors make a notable effort to present their findings in such a fashion that it is enjoyable to read and intelligible to a lay audience.

The book (I am looking back in time now) was also timely in the study of the sociology of religion as debates surrounding the concept of secularization were on the rise. The authors' discussion is timely and still relevant.

Overall, this book is an excellent examination of church-state relations and likely applicable in many cities (despite the authors continual reminders that the findings should not be extrapolated universally). If you would like a better understanding of church-state relations in the U.S. you should read this book.

This book details the history of the settlements on the Cape Cod peninsula in the first eight decades of the English period. It covers the establishment of the towns, the social structure, the political and religious controversies, the economics, and a whole lot more. It's a scholarly work, extensively documented; but unlike a lot of academic historians, this author can write. It is, therefore, highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Cape Cod history. If your interest in Cape Cod is genealogical, there's a wealth of detail about many of the early settlers that I've seen nowhere else.

This book captures the prestige and elegance of America's most beautiful island.

As the author of this guide, I am partial to thinking IT IS THE BEST guide to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. I will be researching the region from June through August 1998 and would appreciate any comments or suggestions for the next edition. If your suggestion/s is/are used, the publisher will send you a free copy of the third edition.

I don't live on Cape Cod, nor have I ever been there - but this book was facinating. The author started by providing an interesting history of the ways that humans have created shelters at the beginning of the book. The rest of the book takes you through all the different architectural styles that can be found in Cape Cod, along with an idea of how and why they evolved. There are lots of great pictures and drawings to illustrate the main points. Overall a facinating, well researched and easy to read book.

A book for those who like to cook, Brody's latest, organized by course, features lots of seafood. There are traditional dishes from chowders (without thickener!) to Bacalhou (Portuguese Salt Cod) to instructions for a real on-the-beach Clambake, as well as an indoor version. The gorgeous color photos are still-lifes with food, or neighborhood scenes or boats. There are Mussels Steamed with Wine and Garlic, Bonfire Mussels and Grilled Mussels, Steamed Clams and Fried Clams and Baked Stuffed Clams and Clam Fritters as well as White Clam Pizza and Spaghetti with White Clam Sauce.

There's a chapter on breakfast which features one of the few restaurant recipes, Cottage Street Bakery Dirt Bombs, luscious heavy donut-like balls, as well as Oatmeal Brulée, and Strawberries and Cream French Toast. Appetizers range from Classic Deviled Eggs to Boiled shrimp to Smoked Salmon Cheesecake. Among the soups are Oyster Stew and Bread Bowl Salmon Chowder. Mac's Calamari Salad comes from Mac's Seafood in Wellfleet and Sunset Slaw features beets, red cabbage and pickled cocktail onions.

Main courses range from New England Boiled Dinner, made with Stout, to Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast, Grilled Bluefish with Mustard and Lime, Sea Bass Poached in Ginger Fish Broth with Cilantro Pesto, Baked Stuffed Lobster (Ritz crackers and Maine crabmeat), and Grilled Sea Scallops (kabobs). Desserts range from kid-oriented (Chocolate-Covered Cape Cod Potato Chips, Mint Chip Brownie Ice Cream Sundae) to the Lavender Crème Brulee from Provincetown's Chester Restaurant, and Cranberry-Pear Linzertorte. Final chapters include drinks (Chatham's Candy Manor Hot Chocolate, Cranberry Martini) and condiments (Fish Stock, Beach Plum Jam, Pumpkin Cranberry Chutney).

Brody, the author of 22 cookbooks, lives on the Cape half the year and imparts a lot of Cape atmosphere and enthusiasm with the recipes. Recipe notes include background, cooking tips and variations (including a comprehensive lobster how-to). The lay-out is attractive and easy to read and the photographs are luscious. Brody has another winner.

It's amazing to me that this book has not been reviewed yet! This book is one of the very best collections of fine art I have ever seen. It beautifully preserves the natural details of an age-old paradise with the personal narrative of a brilliant photographer discovering his own truths in his surroundings.
The colors vibrant, the landscapes fantastically orchestrated, and the frankness astounding, this book makes the perfect gift for any friend, relative, art enthusiast or coffee table.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hover magically over a coffee table while watching your husband sprinkle plant food on your neighbor's dandelions? This is the amazing book that will no doubt show you how.

i loved reading this book! if you like mysteries, romance or cats you'll love this book! of course, i like all of those, so it's perfect for me! ;-) everybody says it's for 9-12 year olds, but i think adults would like it too! after all, i'm kinda adult..... :-) anyway, this book is GREAT!

This is an outstanding collection of traditional Wampanoag stories by well-known Wampanoag Story-teller Manitonquat. Stories that explore many facets of the "Long-Ago Time" -- when the humans and animals still spoke the same language -- focused around the actions of the twin culture-heroes of the Wampanoag, these stories are a joy for children and contain important insight and information for adults.