Righteous - by Lauren Sandler (Paperback)

About the Book

What happens when today's counterculture has a mindset more akin to Jerry Falwell's than Abbie Hoffman's? Sandler's eye-opening and empathetic investigation uncovers America's new moral majority--dressed up in punk-rock garb--and how it is shaping the future of America.

Book Synopsis

Illuminating, often troubling, and unapologetically frank, Righteous is dynamic young journalist Lauren Sandler's report from the nexus of religious fundamentalism and youth culture. As a secular guide through the passion and politics of the teenage evangelical "Disciple Generation," Sandler offers the first front line exploration of the Christian youth counterculture and what its influence could mean for the future of America. She intimately connects with skateboarding missionaries, tattooed members of a self-sufficient postpunk mega- church, rock- 'n'-rolling antiabortion protestors, and rap preachers who merge hip-hop's love of money with old- fashioned Bible-beating fundamentalism-true believers who reveal themselves with openness and truly astonishing candor, but what they reveal about our nation is most astonishing of all.

Review Quotes

"...an intriguing journey into a burgeoning and often contradictory phenomenon"
-The Washington Post

"If you have any doubt that there is a culture war that must be waged and won by secularists in America, read this book."
-Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith

"Compassion for her subjects and brisk writing make her increasingly alarming story go down easy."
-Rocky Mountain News

About the Author

Lauren Sandler is the Life Editor of Salon. She has written about cultural politics for numerous newspapers and magazines including The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times, and has been featured on National Public Radio.