Prophetic language is axiomatic in American life, says Shulman (New York U.), and assesses its political bearing during the 19th and 20th centuries. His concern is whether it is too powerful a political weapon to be contained by democracy, or just powerful enough that believers in democracy can and should wield it. Examples include Thoreau, James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Junior, and Toni Morrison. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)