R. Murray Thomas is Professor Emeritus, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Thomas attempts to show how religious interests intersect with the contemporary American public school. After a brief introduction and a chapter that details the history of religion in education, the book takes the form of a straightforward, issue by issue analysis of religion in education. The historical development of each issue (e.g., Darwinism, school prayer, release time for religious activities) is described, followed by a depiction of the current political landscape of a given issue, and an explanation of the kinds of arguments which are made about various issues. The book is well written, and comes across as an informative and straightforward approach to delineate a range of religious/educational issues. In this sense, it is a good starting point for any student or scholar who is interested in gaining a basic understanding of religion and education in America.... the text makes this survey of the role of religion in public schools very accessible to a range of readers. Recommended. All levels.

• Chapter 1 Introduction: As Seen From HereChapter 2 From Then to NowChapter 3 God and DarwinChapter 4 Curricula and Text MaterialsChapter 5 Prayer and Scripture ReadingChapter 6 Holidays and CelebrationsChapter 7 Financial SupportChapter 8 The Pledge of AllegianceChapter 9 Released Time and ClubsChapter 10 Symbols and MaximsChapter 11 Sexual MattersChapter 12 State/Church/Secularists/Schools

R. Murray Thomas is Professor Emeritus, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Thomas attempts to show how religious interests intersect with the contemporary American public school. After a brief introduction and a chapter that details the history of religion in education, the book takes the form of a straightforward, issue by issue analysis of religion in education. The historical development of each issue (e.g., Darwinism, school prayer, release time for religious activities) is described, followed by a depiction of the current political landscape of a given issue, and an explanation of the kinds of arguments which are made about various issues. The book is well written, and comes across as an informative and straightforward approach to delineate a range of religious/educational issues. In this sense, it is a good starting point for any student or scholar who is interested in gaining a basic understanding of religion and education in America.... the text makes this survey of the role of religion in public schools very accessible to a range of readers. Recommended. All levels.

• Chapter 1 Introduction: As Seen From HereChapter 2 From Then to NowChapter 3 God and DarwinChapter 4 Curricula and Text MaterialsChapter 5 Prayer and Scripture ReadingChapter 6 Holidays and CelebrationsChapter 7 Financial SupportChapter 8 The Pledge of AllegianceChapter 9 Released Time and ClubsChapter 10 Symbols and MaximsChapter 11 Sexual MattersChapter 12 State/Church/Secularists/Schools