Discovery and revelation Religion, science, and making sense of things

Throughout history, discoveries in the natural world have been used to support and to challenge the doctrines of religious faiths. In this volume, Manseau and Aghapour (both, National Museum of American History) seek to locate and examine this relationship between religion and science specifically in the context of the last 300 years of history in the US. Addressing this chronologically, the authors weave stories of prominent figures in the history of American science, including illustrations, photos, and pictures of artifacts from the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of History exhibit of the same title. This relatively brief study provides a general overview of the topic, so readers will appreciate the material culture visuals used throughout the text as examples of how science has shaped the faith of a nation and how faith has influenced the scientific understanding of some of the US's greatest thinkers and leaders. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers. --Alexis Nicole Weiss, Loyola Marymount University

Smithsonian National Museum of American History scholars and authors Manseau and Aghapour ask readers to consider that science and religion are intertwined rather than being two separate entities. They invite readers to see science and religion working together in everything from Benjamin Franklin's lightning experiment, to paleontology, to the ethics of the smallpox vaccine (a timely comparison in today's pandemic). Science and religion together were once championed by minister Cotton Mather (who also supported the Salem witch trials). Prominent politicians have been greatly influenced by religious beliefs as well, and this book delves into how these beliefs shaped their policies. Finally, photographs of artifacts from the Smithsonian's collection tie each entry together and will stoke the reader's desire to visit them in person. The authors' avoidance of being preachy adds to the book's approachability as it perfectly toes the line between educational and entertaining.