In addition to showing how Sherman's march was decisive in leading to the collapse of slavery, this book demonstrates that the events of the Civil War lead directly to a greater scale and scope of independent activity on the part of black churches.

In light of the recent death of C. Eric Lincoln, the renowned theorist of race and religion, scholars came together and created this compelling collection that represents twenty years of critical intellectual reflection in Lincoln's honor. "How Long this Road" is a social study of African American religious patterns and dynamics. C. Eric Lincoln's principle concern with the racial factor in American social and religious life expands in these pages to include such correlative factors as gender, the African Diaspora, and social class. "How Long this Road" is an impressive work that is bound to become a classic in religion and sociology courses, church studies and African American studies.

In light of the recent death of C. Eric Lincoln, the renowned theorist of race and religion, scholars came together and created this compelling collection that represents twenty years of critical intellectual reflection in Lincoln's honor. "How Long this Road" is a social study of African American religious patterns and dynamics. C. Eric Lincoln's principle concern with the racial factor in American social and religious life expands in these pages to include such correlative factors as gender, the African Diaspora, and social class. "How Long this Road" is an impressive work that is bound to become a classic in religion and sociology courses, church studies and African American studies.