In A Short History of Religion in America, Jon Butler, Grant Wacker and Randall Balmer cover centuries of religious history to show the role religion has played in American life. Jon Butler begins by describing the state of religious affairs in both the Old and New Worlds on the eve of colonization and traces the progress of religion in the colonies through the time of the American Revolution. Grant Wacker looks at different groups (Native Americans, immigrants, etc) reflecting the rapid pace and constant change of religious growth in 19th century America. Randall Balmer discusses the massive cultural changes in 20th century America and the effects such forces as industrialization, modernization and secularization had on established religions as well as ones being strengthened by influxes of immigrants. Back matter includes chronology, further reading and an index.