The Enduring Legacy of Albertus C. Van Raalte as Leader and Liaison (review)

128 The Michigan Historical Review Lauck notes that there had been a time when historians studied the Midwest with greater seriousness and a deeper recognition of its significance. Populism and farming were the most intense aspects of this environment, and these Prairie Historians searched for and established outlets for their work, especially state historical societies and regional academic journals. They organized the Mississippi Valley Historical Association (MVHA) which would later be replaced by the American Historical Association (AHA). Lauck’s argument then turns to the need for future Prairie Historians, but he neglects to acknowledge the economic resources that have diminished or disappeared particularly in the Midwest during recent decades, especially with limited government funding to state historical societies and academic presses. In other words, Lauck could be more political with his argument, probing more into the shortage of funding which has contributed to the further demise of Midwestern history. Also, in making his argument about a ‘lost’ history, Lauck seems to ignore present-day Midwestern historians who have survived despite the odds and who deserve perhaps a chapter or bibliography drawing together their current research and publications. “This lost region is worth finding again,” Lauck laments. Yet, what are we searching for? What do we hope to find? What do we wish to create? It’s often not monumental history; instead, the search continues to recover and celebrate a Midwestern democratic spirit, its inspiring personalities, and the region’s subtle but dramatic narratives. Lauck’s The Lost Region should be required reading for many history activists as well as graduate history seminars and writing workshops. Lisa Payne Ossian Des Moines Area Community College Jacob E. Nyenhuis and George Harinck, eds. The Enduring Legacy of Albertus C. Van Raalte as Leader and Liaison. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2014. Pp. 558. Appendices. Index. Notes. Photographs. Cloth, $60.00. This volume of essays is the result of an ambitious, bi-national conference commemorating the bicentennial of the birth of Holland, Michigan, and its founder Albertus C. Van Raalte. These essays highlight his multiple roles as a church leader and pastor, businessman, Book Reviews 129 transnational liaison, promoter, and public figure. Taken together, the essays offer an in-depth analysis of the life of Van Raalte. The fifteen essays are divided into biographical, thematic, and reception studies sections. Michael Douma’s historiographical essay about Van Raalte biographies provides a needed analytical framework for placing the current volume. The strongest essays position Van Raalte within his historic context both in the Netherlands and frontier Michigan. For instance, Hans Krabbendam’s contribution emphasizes the Dutch educational situation of the early nineteenth century when Van Raalte received his education. Krabbendam adroitly emphasizes the preparation of Van Raalte to be an immigrant leader and liaison. Richard Harm’s essay provides the social and religious context of the founding of Holland, Michigan, noting that not everyone wanted or needed Van Raalte’s leadership to build a new life in the United States. In contrast to these strong contributions, some of the essays unfortunately lean towards the hagiographic. Furthermore, the publication of these papers could have been improved by revising many of them for a larger audience than just the experts who attended the conference. The published essays often do not provide enough context for a novice to follow the arguments. Issues of religion and theology play a large role in the book, yet few authors take the time to try to explain the theology they take for granted. Dutch words and titles, sometimes translated and other times not, will also cause many readers to stumble. Also detracting from the scholarly contribution of the volume are the many photographs of the conference itself, and the appendices which include conference material and press coverage in addition to a very thorough bibliography. Despite these weaknesses, this is a useful and valuable book. It makes important contributions to a fuller historical understanding of the many facets of Van Raalte. Each author brings new ideas and sources to light such as Earl Wm. Kennedy’s discussion of Van Raalte’s views on parochial and public schools. Robert Swierenga’s contribution specifically highlights the multiple roles he held apart from being...