evangelist and the impresario, The

evangelist and the impresario, The

By Kathryn J. Oberdeck

Book Description

What shapes the spiritual and cultural landscape of a society, and who holds the power to define what matters most? These timeless questions about authority, values, and meaning take on fascinating dimensions in this exploration of early twentieth-century America.

Kathryn J. Oberdeck examines how Americans grappled with fundamental questions about culture and spiritual authority during a pivotal era when traditional boundaries were shifting. Through the compelling stories of two contrasting figures—Irish-born socialist Alexander Irvine and Italian-American entertainment entrepreneur Sylvester Poli—this work reveals the complex interplay between religious conviction, popular entertainment, and social class dynamics.

The narrative unfolds at the vibrant crossroads where evangelical faith met vaudeville theater, where immigrant experiences intersected with American cultural formation, and where competing visions of what constituted "good" versus "bad" culture played out in public spaces. These cultural battles, which may seem familiar to contemporary readers, were already raging with intensity a century ago.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual movements interact with broader cultural forces, this book offers valuable insights into the ongoing tension between sacred and secular influences in American life. It illuminates how individuals from different backgrounds—whether driven by religious mission or entertainment enterprise—helped shape the cultural conversations that continue to influence our society today.

The work demonstrates that questions about cultural authority and spiritual meaning have deep historical roots in the American experience.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~12 hours)

📄 Length: 429 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Social aspects
  • ✓ Explore Vaudeville
  • ✓ Explore Religion and culture
  • ✓ Explore History
  • ✓ Explore Politics and culture
  • ✓ Explore Mass media, united states, history
  • ✓ Explore United states, religion, 20th century
  • ✓ Explore Popular culture, united states

Topics Covered

Social aspects Vaudeville Religion and culture History Politics and culture Mass media, united states, history United states, religion, 20th century Popular culture, united states Social aspects of Evangelistic work Social aspects of Vaudeville Mass media and culture Intellectual life Evangelistic work Working class

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