Now retired from Claremont School of Theology and Graduate U. in California, scholar of early Christianity Mack tries to flesh out the shallow understanding of religion in the US by examining the social significance of Christianity. He synthesizes thought by scholars of religion, philosophy, history, and the social sciences in a manner intended to be accessible to general readers with a liberal education. He begins with the religions of other peoples, discussing such topics as Europeans looking for religion in the New World, and watching myths in the making. Then, coming closer to home for himself and most presumed readers, he explores early Christian mythmaking, the social formation of Christendom, the state of the Christian nation, and religions in a polycultural world. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)