Religion and the Culture of Print in Modern America

This compelling history explores how religious expression and print culture became deeply intertwined in American life, tracing the relationship from colonial times through modern publishing. Charles L. Cohen examines how printed materials—from Bibles and theological works to newspapers and polemical tracts—have shaped religious identity, debate, and practice across diverse communities. The book reveals how Americans have consistently used print to articulate faith, defend doctrines, and sometimes challenge religious authority, creating a unique marketplace of religious ideas.

Cohen's work stands out for its nuanced analysis of how commercial print culture and religious devotion coexisted and reinforced one another, making the United States simultaneously a leading producer of print and a distinctly religious society. Readers interested in American history, religious studies, or media culture will find this exploration particularly valuable for understanding how printed words have fundamentally shaped spiritual life and public discourse about belief.