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BOOK REVIEWS 289 individualism by exploring in depth two concepts central to the Revolution. The first of these, the public or common good, was privileged by republicanism , rationalism, and reformed Protestantism over any appeal to the private needs of individuals. In fact, the autonomous self was viewed as sinful and hence to be distrusted. Autonomy belonged not to individuals, but to communities and families; and communal concerns and values drove the politics of the Revolutionary era. Staunchly majoritarian, localism then and afterwards could be abusive of minorities and intolerant of what was regarded as deviant behavior . Those like the Loyalists who balked at the community consensus had few alternatives to leaving. The second portion of the book examines the various meanings of liberty. Shain locates eight, only one of which was related to individualism. The most basic was spiritual liberty, the capacity to respond voluntarily to "a life of righteousness " (p. 193) within a situation heavily influenced by original sin. What a person might consider liberty today—the freedom to do whatever one wishes—the Revolutionary generation regarded as license. True liberty meant possessing sufficient control over oneself to choose the virtuous course of action ,"the freedom to act in rationally or religiously responsible ways" (p. 201). Personal liberty was not individual autonomy but what Shain calls "familial independence " f. 179), the ownership of sufficient property to avoid social, political , or economic subservience to others. Even ownership of private property, however, was not an absolute value, but was meant to serve society and the public good. The revolutionary generation regarded only two rights as inalienable: freedom of conscience and political liberty , the ability of a community to self-government. The final chapter illustrates the communal character of liberty by its opposite, slavery. Much more than chattel slavery, the term indicated a condition of dependence that prevented the political and personal liberty that was only possible within the supportive reciprocal relationships of a community. In sum, Shain argues that America's roots are to be found in a reformed Protestant, communal past. His thoughtful conclusion makes it clear, however, that he is not advocating a return to those values. Indeed, he suggests that may not be possible or even desirable. Thomas E. Buckley, SJ. Loyola Marymount University Marvels ofCharity:History ofAmerican Sisters and Nuns. By George C. Stewart , Jr. (Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. 1994. Pp. 607.) Stewart's "Acknowledgments" begin with the statement: "No average Catholic , the intended readership, could be less knowledgeable about the history of 290 BOOK REVIEWS American sisters and nuns than I was at the outset of this book. However, abysmal ignorance was a distinct advantage in one respect—I unhesitatingly sought help from any and all sources throughout the research process."That ignorance , leading Stewart to knowledgeable, professional help, was certainly bolstered by a love and respect for American sisters and nuns. It also led him to valuable sources, the success of which is attested to by the final product. The number of pages in this book should not frighten readers away. The publisher chose type and format for a pleasant reading experience. It has been well edited so that there are very few typographical errors or strange sentence constructions . Valuable appendices are found on pages 474 to 571; these are followed by a glossary that could prove helpful to the uninitiated and "Select Bibliography." I would not hesitate to recommend this book to students or anyone interested in the topic. In addition to being a history, this book could well serve as a ready reference on the topic of women religious in the United States. In "Appendix A: Order Title Abbreviations," for example, one can find all the abbreviations listed alphabetically with the official title of each congregation that uses it. After the congregation 's title is found the number given the community in the Official Catholic Directory, thus simplifying the search for further information. Most of the photographs in the book are of sisters and nuns in traditional habits, historical records in their own right. Because of the vast number of communities of women religious it would be "impossible," as Stewart was advised in his early planning...

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