A collection of essays in which young scholars discuss their work and interests as they recall how the circumstances of their upbringing and education steered them toward religious history. They tell of their growing awareness of how religion ties into larger social issues.

John B. Boles is William Pettus Hobby Professor of History at Rice University and managing editor of the "Journal of Southern History." His books include "The South through Time"i and "Autobiographical Reflections on Southern Religious History" (Georgia).