Vallianatos’ book addresses a crime of the past that still affects us today, and whose rectification could facilitate a more humanistic future. He reveals the censored history of the conflict between Christianity and ancient Greek culture (“Jerusalem versus Athens”) in late antiquity.

Many people may be only dimly aware of the profound changes taking place in the medical establishment. In an appealing narrative style, Bob Keck offers a personal and social history of the transformation of medicine from being totally materialistic and mechanistic to becoming comprehensive, holistic, and integrated. He provides scientific data and a rational basis for accepting the irrational, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the healing process. Although the book is aimed primarily at the individual, religious communities as a whole could profit from paying attention to what Keck has to say about developing an appreciation of the sacred in the quest for physical health (James R. Adams, TCPC)

Examines the roles, lives, and philosophies of life of the African-American slave woman during the period of slavery in the United States and later. Dr. Martin, a Presbyterian minister, describes and dissects how the Christian religion of the slaveowner was used (and abused) by him to control his slaves, but also demonstrates how the slave women (and men) found in the same Christianity the key to their survival.

Anyone who cares at all about economic justice must read Barbara Ehrenreich’s account of trying to support herself on low wage jobs:

“The worst, for some reason, are the Visible Christians–like the ten-person table, all jolly and sanctified after Sunday night service, who run me mercilessly and then leave me $1 on a $92 bill.”