The Confessions of Nat Turner was once required reading in many high schools. But students rarely learned more about Nat Turner's world or the evangelical religious movement that influenced him. In this study, Scully (history, George Mason University) demonstrates how the evangelical movements of the mid-eighteenth century created a sense of individual worth among their members, some of whom were slaves. Many of the early leaders of the Baptists and Methodists were abolitionists, strengthening the call to freedom. Scully utilizes the copious Baptist records of three counties in southeastern Virginia to trace the religious movement and the increasing trend toward more conservative, patriarchal attitudes as the church became a part of the established community. Black men were discouraged from preaching or taking a role of leadership. Turner's rebellion shattered Virginia's self-image of benevolent, strong, male masters and contented, grateful slaves. It also caused a crisis of faith, especially among the evangelical churches, since Turner believed he had received a divine mandate to free his people. Religious establishments are often considered as historically important, but the role of religious belief in events is generally ignored. Scully has added an important dimension to the history of antebellum Virginia. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)