''Rediscovering God in America'' is a book written by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with photography from his wife

Callista Gingrich Callista Louise Gingrich (née Bisek; March 4, 1966) is an American businesswoman, author, documentary film producer and former diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to the Holy See from 2017 to 2021. She is married to former House Sp ...

. and a film series based upon the book and narrated by the two Gingriches. The book was a ''New York Times'' bestseller.

Synopsis

From the National Archives and Capitol Building to

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

and

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library ...

, the Gingriches lead the reader on a tour of

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

to point out the religious beliefs incorporated in the Nation's monuments. The role of religion in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

' founding is examined and explained.Roger Chapman, ''Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices'', Volume 1, M.E. Sharpe, 2010 Gingrich's tour is based in part on the controversial ideas of right-wing historian David Barton, which Bruce Wilson claims include "misleading and inaccurate claims".Bruce Wilson
"Gingrich In Video Which Claims the Constitution Is Based On the Old Testament"
'' Huffington Post'', 03/04/2012,

Critical response

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'' found the book's argument "predictable", but praised the idea of basing the book on the tour of Washington, saying this "structure does much to freshen up a book that is otherwise indistinguishable from prior offerings". In ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'',

Andrew Ferguson Andrew Ferguson (born June 28, 1956) is an American journalist and author. Career Ferguson is currently a staff writer at ''The Atlantic''. Previously, he was senior editor of ''The Weekly Standard'' (defunct since December 2018), and a columni ...

said it "had the potential to be charming" and finds Callista Gingrich's photographs to be "lovely" and the book's production to be "elegant", but is otherwise scathing.

"What Does Newt Gingrich Know?"
''

'', 2011/7/3, ''

The New York Review of Books ''The New York Review of Books'' (or ''NYREV'' or ''NYRB'') is a semi-monthly magazine with articles on literature, culture, economics, science and current affairs. Published in New York City, it is inspired by the idea that the discussion of i ...

'' commented it was "an item meant to be sold in the gift shops on the Mall as a sort of earphone substitute and eventual souvenir."

Film series

Citizens United Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection". Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...

and Gingrich Productions have produced two "Rediscovering God in America" films, hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich.Anthony Kaufman
"Newt Gingrich: Indie Movie Mogul?"
''

IndieWire IndieWire (sometimes stylized as indieWIRE or Indiewire) is a film industry and review website that was established in 1996. The site's focus was predominantly independent film, although its coverage has grown to "to include all aspects of Holl ...

'', November 28, 2011 Gingrich decided to make the film in part as a riposte to the success of liberal documentarist Michael Moore; he had the help of Citizens United's

David Bossie David Norman Bossie (born November 1, 1965) is an American political activist. Since 2000, he has been president and chairman of conservative advocacy group Citizens United and in 2016, Bossie was the deputy campaign manager to the Donald Trump ...

who was an experienced maker of polemical films.Robert Costa
"Hollywood Gingrich"
''

National Review ''National Review'' is an American conservative editorial magazine, focusing on news and commentary pieces on political, social, and cultural affairs. The magazine was founded by the author William F. Buckley Jr. in 1955. Its editor-in-chief ...

'', November 28, 2010 ;''Rediscovering God in America'' ''Rediscovering God in America'' was produced in 2008, with Newt and Callista Gingrich narrating as the book illustrates the importance of "our Creator" to America's founders and their successors. Based on the New York Times bestseller, ''Rediscovering God in America'', this documentary seeks to remind viewers that the United States is indeed “One Nation Under God.” By June 2011, the film had sold between 300,000 and 400,000 units. ;''Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage'' This second book in the series premiered in September 2009 at the Washington Visitor Center, hosted by the author and his wife. The film explores “the role of religion in early nited States ofAmerica and the belief that ‘our Creator’ is the source of our liberty, prosperity, and survival as an exceptional nation. From the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown in 1607, through the American Revolution, to the end of the Civil War in 1865, this film tells the story of the deep faith that motivated and sustained our great leaders, and dramatically presents our nation’s belief in religious freedom.” In contrast to the first film, they are careful to talk about religion in general rather than privileging one faith.

Conferences

Gingrich has also held a series of conferences around the USA on the themes of the book, including in

Virginia Beach Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...

in 2009 and Iowa in 2011. Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, David Barton, and

Haley Barbour Haley Reeves Barbour (born October 22, 1947) is an American attorney, politician, and lobbyist who served as the 63rd governor of Mississippi from 2004 to 2012. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as chairman of the Republican ...

addressed the Iowa conference. Speakers in Virginia included

Ron Luce Ronald Allan Luce, (born July 11, 1961) is the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries which was located in Garden Valley, Texas. Together with his wife Katie, Ron founded Teen Mania in 1986 and led the organization until its bankruptc ...

, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, David Barton,

Oliver North Oliver Laurence North (born October 7, 1943) is an American political commentator, television host, military historian, author, and retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. A veteran of the Vietnam War, North was a National Secu ...

, and Bob McEwen.Craig von Buseck
"Government Threatens Bible Study Shut Down; ReDiscovering God in America"
'' Christian News Network'', May 29, 2009

References

External links

Book descriptionOfficial film website for Rediscovering God in AmericaOfficial film website for Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage
* * {{Newt Gingrich American documentary films Books by Newt Gingrich Christianity in the United States Documentary films about Christianity in the United States Citizens United Productions films