Dolan writes in a lively manner and synthesizes vast amounts of material with a flair reminiscent of Martin Marty at his best. Tracing the history of Catholicism in America from the Spanish missions to the 1983 pastoral letter ``The Challenge of Peace,'' Dolan (who considers himself a social historian) describes the life and faith of the ``little'' people without ignoring the intellectual currents that swirled about them. Despite some occasional choppiness and confusion engendered by the book's mixed chronological/topical organiza tion, this is an admirable work that will appeal to general readers and still serve for academic use; indeed, the footnotes are a treasure trove for students and scholars of American Catholic history. Highly recommended. "This book ... will quickly capture your attention, and engage your mind, and make you think what it meant--and means--to be 'a Catholic in America.' This book cannot be 'recommended.' It must be labeled 'essential.'" -Spirituality Today "The American Catholic Experience is a model of cogency, its every seam fastened by rivets of documentation. In it we see ourselves more clearly. This is what we ask from history, and here obtain." -The Recorder "For anyone interested in American Catholic history, Dolan's book is pivotal. The solid research and extensive citations make it a valuable teaching tool, while its solid writing makes the ideas easily accessible." -St. Anthony Messenger "In this work, Dolan is concerned less with traditional institutional history-orders, bishops, churches-than with a broader social history of the Catholic experience itself. At the same time, he does not ignore structures and institutions, but seeks to place them within the context of Catholic life. Dolan's style is provocative and allows him to hold the reader's interest while providing endless material. This is a helpful volume which serves as an excellent introduction to Catholic experience in America." -Review and Expositor