Description
Book SynopsisCollins shows that biblical narratives have inspired a multitude of nationalist narratives, myths ingeniously spun out to justify a number of decidedly unchristian policies and institutions—from Indian genocide, the slave trade, and the exploitation of immigrant workers to Manifest Destiny, imperial expansionism, and, most recently, preemptive war.
Trade Review“For too long, scholars assumed that national policy could be understood in terms of rational choice economics and game theory. Fortunately, we are coming again to realize the power of stories in our national rhetoric. Homeland Mythology is a timely and engaging analysis of what it means for America to be our home. Christopher Collins has done us a great service in examining the roots of many of our unexamined national myths.”
—Robert Wuthnow,Princeton University, author of American Mythos: Why Our Best Efforts to Be a Better Nation Fall Short
“Collins addresses issues of considerable cultural resonance. By formulating these issues through the elements of myth, he promises to deepen greatly our understanding of the interplay between symbol and society. Because the subject crosses conventional divides, this work will be of interest to historians, literary and rhetorical critics, religious scholars, and students of culture generally.”
—Stephen H. Browne,Penn State University
“Much of what is covered [in this book] represents an important contribution to the fields of American studies and religious studies. It also represents a unique contribution in that it brings together important issues in ways that haven’t been synthesized before and traces back in history ideas that are very much the subject of discussion and debate among contemporary Americans.”
—Jacqueline Bacon,author of The Humblest May Stand Forth: Rhetoric, Empowerment, and Abolition (2002)
Table of ContentsContents
Preface: Tracking Down an Old Story
1. Homeland and Its Discontents
2. Biblical Time and the Full Narrative Cycle
3. Myths of Curses, Myths of Blessings
4. Narratives of the Night
5. Abduction Narratives
6. Homeland Nostalgia and Holy War
7. Secular Modernism, Biblical Style
Notes
Bibliography
Index
