"In recent decades Protestant evangelicalism has become a conspicuous - and to many Americans, a worrisome - part of this country's cultural and political landscape. But just how unified is the supposed constituency of the Christian Coalition? And who exactly are the people the Christian Right claims to represent?

In the most extensive study of American evangelicals ever conducted, Christian Smith explores the beliefs, values, commitments, and goals of the ordinary men and women who make up this often misunderstood religious group.".

"Moving beyond the characterizations of evangelicals as seen from the outside, Smith gets inside their world and listens attentively to its multitude of conflicted voices. What he presents is a carefully assembled cultural analysis that does much to explain who evangelicals are, what they want for America, and how they hope to get it."--BOOK JACKET.