"Manning's thoughtful critique shows how contradictory attitudes can arise out of, and in reaction to, a common adherence to absolutes. Her Scottish/American pairings, Home/Edwards, Smith and Jefferson, and so on--are strategically brilliant." London Review of Books

• Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Calvin's theology and the puritan mind; 2. After Armageddon: Jonathan Edwards and David Hume; 3. From puritanism to provincialism; 4. The pursuit of the double; 5. Spectators, spies and spectres: the observer's stance; 6. 'Is anything central?'; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

"Manning's thoughtful critique shows how contradictory attitudes can arise out of, and in reaction to, a common adherence to absolutes. Her Scottish/American pairings, Home/Edwards, Smith and Jefferson, and so on--are strategically brilliant." London Review of Books

• Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Calvin's theology and the puritan mind; 2. After Armageddon: Jonathan Edwards and David Hume; 3. From puritanism to provincialism; 4. The pursuit of the double; 5. Spectators, spies and spectres: the observer's stance; 6. 'Is anything central?'; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

"Manning's thoughtful critique shows how contradictory attitudes can arise out of, and in reaction to, a common adherence to absolutes. Her Scottish/American pairings, Home/Edwards, Smith and Jefferson, and so on--are strategically brilliant." London Review of Books

• Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Calvin's theology and the puritan mind; 2. After Armageddon: Jonathan Edwards and David Hume; 3. From puritanism to provincialism; 4. The pursuit of the double; 5. Spectators, spies and spectres: the observer's stance; 6. 'Is anything central?'; Notes; Bibliography; Index.