SKU: 45710560580

1-Sided 2-Color LED 5x Hardwired Makeup Mirror, Brushed Brass - Kimball & Young

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Description

1-Sided 2-Color LED 5x Hardwired Makeup Mirror, Brushed Brass - Kimball & YoungBrass! There's nothing like it. Brass warms up a room and the more the merrier. Brass finishes are timeless and can be seen historically and equally sumptuous looking in palaces and in regular homes. A Brushed Brass finish for a makeup mirror with lights will complement your other brass bathroom fixtures. These makeup mirrors have triple plated steel frames; plated first with brass, then nickel, and then with the final finish of Brushed Brass.

Brass! There's nothing like it. Brass warms up a room - and the more the merrier. Brass finishes are timeless and can be seen historically and equally sumptuous-looking in palaces and in regular homes. A Brushed Brass finish for a makeup mirror with lights will complement your other brass bathroom fixtures. These makeup mirrors have triple-plated steel frames; plated first with brass, then nickel, and then with the final finish of Brushed Brass. Beautiful!

The 944-2 Series 5x Hardwired LED Round wall-mounted makeup mirror gives you a flawless image. The 3-position switch changes as follows: 3,500k - Off - 5,600k. The 3,500k temperature setting produces light very, very similar to regular light bulbs, while the 5,500k temperature setting produces light very similar to blue-sky white daylight. Both color temperatures are equally as bright at 475 Lumens. The silver-backed mirror lens has 5x magnification and the mirror can extend up to 12.8" from the wall - more than adequate to give you a close-up view over even 24" vanity tops (and most vanities are 18" deep). The mirror pivots at the elbow, pivots on axis and tilts up and down for the perfect view. Finished in Brushed Brass.

Other Finishes: Polished Chrome | Polished Nickel | Matte Black | Brushed Nickel

If you need a reversible makeup mirror with lights (5x/1x) check this out Brushed Brass Kimball & Young 945 Series Makeup Mirror.
Installation Instructions  
Features
  • Top quality Kimball & Young Hardwired makeup mirror is single-sided with 5x Magnification power. The non-reversibility allows for a thinner profile, and the somewhat larger format yields a clearer magnified image.
  • Bright 475 Lumen 50,000 hour LED lighting is switchable from 3,500 degrees Kelvin - very close to "regular" indoor lighting - to 5,500 degrees Kelvin - very close to blue sky white daylight.
  • The 5x mirror lens is not backed with aluminum, but rather with pure silver, yielding a bright, crisp, clear image. And the final touch of high quality is shown by the on/off switch located on the mounting plate, eliminating the need and expense of a separate wall switch installation.
  • Dimensions: 7.88" Diameter viewing size in a 9.63" Diameter x 1.63" deep frame. Mounting plate: 5.57" Diameter x 1.38" Deep. Mirror center is 1.57" offset from mounting plate center. Extension: 12.8". Retracted size is 9.75" High x 9.63" Wide x 4.75" Deep.
  • The steel frame and structure is triple plated - first with brass, then nickel, then the final finish plating of Brushed Brass. UL listed. 3-Year manufacturer's warranty.
945 / 944 Series Comparison
Summary: Both 944 and 945 series are wall-mounted, hardwired makeup mirrors, with dual-color switchable LED lighting. The page you're on is for a 944 series mirror - corresponding to the images at left, below.

The 944 series is single-sided at 5x magnification. The viewing area is a little larger but the overall size is significantly smaller. The 945 series is reversible 5x to 1x, with a 7x conversion for the 5x side available. Although the viewing area is slightly smaller, the assembly overall is significantly larger.
Complete Specifications

944 Series Hardwired Makeup Mirrors

Magnification
• 5x Single Side

Lighting
• 50,000 Hour LEDs - Not Dimmable
• Switch Control - 3,500k / Off / 5,500k
• 15 Watts
• Incandescent equivalent - 150 Watts
• 475 Lumens
• 110-120 Volt (only) operation.

Extended Dimensions
• Projection from Wall- 12.75"
• Width - 9.5"
• Height - 9.75"

Retracted Dimensions
• Projection from Wall - 4.25"
• Width - 10"
• Height - 9.75"

Other
• Glass Area 7" Diameter
• Base Plate 5.75" Diameter
• Weight - 3 lbs.
• Horizontal Mounting only - Base Plate screwed into wall.
• Indoor use only.

Finishes
• Polished Chrome
• Polished Nickel
• Brushed Nickel
• Matte Black
• Brushed Brass
• Italian Bronze

Buyer's Guide

Mirror Buyer's Guide

Magnification: Don't make the mistake of automatically opting for the greatest magnification offered. Most people are surprised to find how strong that might be. Most cosmetic-counter mirrors have 3x or 5x magnification power, but our most popular magnification power is 5x.  Indeed if you have vision problems or you have particularly critical tasks to accomplish, then go for the higher magnification mirrors - we have some up to 15x magnification.  (To give you a basis of comparison, a jeweler's loop is 10x power.)


Factors other than the magnification itself affect the quality of the image you see.  The size of the mirror is an important factor.  When two mirrors with the same magnification are compared, the larger size mirror always wins - both for image clarity and freedom from distortion.

Tilt and Swivel: Every wall mounted mirror we carry both tilts and swivels.  Swivel is usually 360° or close to it.  Tilt is usually 15° up or down - sometimes more.   A double-arm wall-mounted mirror has more capability than a single-arm mirror because in addition to rotating at the mirror pivot, you can also rotate through 360° or almost, at the elbow.


Distortion: All magnification-mirrors distort the image.   If they didn't, they wouldn't magnify anything.  The reason for this is that the mirrors magnify by using bent glass to form a sort of lens which does the magnification.  The larger the magnification, the greater the bend in the glass and the greater the distortion.  The center portion of the mirror, at any magnification level, always has the least distortion.  In a larger mirror, the absolute size of the center section is relatively larger, and therefore the area of least distortion is larger.   This is the main reason a larger mirror is preferable.


Expensive Mirrors: All of our mirrors are high quality mirrors, usually better quality than those found in big-box stores; both for image and finish.  But some of our mirrors are dramatically more expensive than others. The reasons are manifold. The "expensive" mirrors have silver-backed glass forming the image, rather than aluminum-backed glass.   The larger mirror sizes of the more expensive mirrors are much more difficult to produce correctly but once you've seen the difference in the larger image it's hard to go back.   The plating on our Miroir Brot mirrors is thick and perfect, as is the finish itself - tiny imperfections are simply not present.  Lastly, the expensive-mirror frames themselves are solid brass or triple-plated steel and heavily built - as these mirrors are often used in hotels and need to be able to take abuse.


Fluorescent, Incandescent, or LED: The long and the short of this is that it's what you prefer that counts.  All of our fluorescent-lighted or LED mirrors are so noted.


Our mirrors use only color-corrected fluorescent lamps and LED lamps, which approximate daylight or indoor lighting - your choice in most cases. They do not have the green tinge of commercial indoor fluorescent lighting - which people find objectionable. (See full explanation below.) Even so, daylight is not always preferable. Light from incandescent lighting or "regular" light bulbs usually used indoors, is often preferred by many.


A feature of modern fluorescent lamps is that greatly reduced wattage produces light output perhaps four times the wattage consumed - and the lamps stay cool.   LED lamps consume even less electricity, stay cooler and last 50,000 hours on average.  That's 6 years of continuous usage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Lighting color is measured in degrees Kelvin. Running through the spectrum, the higher the Kelvin temperature, the closer to pure white light.  The light on bright sunny day with blue sky measures 5,600° Kelvin.   A very bright day with a cloud-covered sky weighs in at 6,000° Kelvin.  An incandescent (regular) bulb gives off light at approximately 3,200° Kelvin.  This is quite yellow, as evidenced by photographs taken by lamp-light.  But our eyes are used to the color and in most circumstances it looks normal if not pleasing.  By contrast, most fluorescent lighting is a color called "cool white" used because it is the cheapest color to produce. Cool-white is 4,600° Kelvin and definitely green. Any photo taken under cool-whites looks green to the viewer.  A color-corrected fluorescent used in our mirrors usually run between 5,000° and 5,400° Kelvin, and approximates blue-sky daylight.  The closer to daylight color the more expensive the bulb.  


So where does this leave us?   With the exception of cool-white fluorescent, most people find color-corrected fluorescent lamps and most LEDs agreeable, as they do regular incandescent lamps - it's purely a matter of preference.


Switch on Base: Putting a switch on the electrical cord is the cheapest way to include a switch. 99% of our makeup mirrors do not have a switch on the cord - but have a switch on the base or mounting plate of the mirror.


Hardwired Mirrors: Hardwired mirrors are intended to be installed by a licensed electrician and connected to the house wiring.   All of our hardwired mirrors are marked "HARDWIRED" on the website.   Also, all of our hardwired mirrors have a switch on the mirror itself, so your electrician need not install a separate switch.


Electrician's instructions

  • All of our hardwired mirrors have the switch on the base or on the mounting plate. No other switch is required. Also note that each of our hardwired mirrors tilts vertically and swings horizontally.
  • Install a 4" octagon box on a CGFI line, flush with the mounting surface at a height determined by the user. Remember, the center of the mirror is usually higher than the mounting plate center by somewhat more than half the diameter of the mirror frame.  The box should be capable of supporting 10 lbs. (The mirror doesn't weigh 10 lbs., but remember it may be on an arm as long as 20".)
  • NOTE: Hardwired mirrors, once connected electrically, are non-refundable.

Gifts: Makeup mirrors make excellent gifts.  18k Gold or Brass are the best finishes for use in rooms other than bathrooms, while most bathrooms have chrome fixtures, and chrome-framed mirrors should be at the top of the list.  Consider the situation at your recipient's home... their style and preferences, and whether or not they'd want a lighted or unlighted mirror; and if lighted and wall-mounted, whether it should be hard-wired or plug-in.


Bulk Commercial Orders, and Hotels: Let us know what you need, by contacting customer service.


Returns: In accordance with our Refund Policy most mirrors can be returned for a full merchandise refund provided they are returned according to our regular refund procedures.  Custom-made mirrors are non-refundable except for manufacturing defects - extremely rare.  Also non-refundable are hardwired mirrors that have been electrically connected.  A restocking fee of $10 is required for all mirrors with greater than 7x magnification.


Major Brands Only
At PMM we carry only better to best mirror brands.  These even the least expensive of our mirrors will exceed in quality, most of those found at "big-box stores."

99% of our makeup-mirrors are glass (i.e., not plastic) and those that are not are clearly specified.  Similarly 99% of our lighted mirrors have switches on the base or mounting plate - not on the cord.   Vanity-table mirrors all have padded, weighted bases.


  • Aptations makeup mirrors including Kimball & Young, First Impressions, Clear Mirror, and Mirror Image makeup mirrors are an upper mid-priced line of high-quality Makeup Mirrors and come with a 3-year Manufacturer's Warranty.  Finishes include Chrome, Gold, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel, and Italian Bronze.  Magnifications run from 3x to 10x with many lighted, reversible, and hardwired mirrors as well as a many cool-running LED-lighted mirrors.
  • Jerdon Style makeup mirrors are a mid-priced line that compares favorably with most in this price range.  Exceptional values may be found in their quality mirrors.
  • Miroir Brot mirrors are made in Paris France and hold the world standard for supreme quality.  A Miroir Brot mirror is truly a luxury for those able to afford one.  Each Miroir Brot makeup mirror is shipped directly to your door from Paris.
  • Sharper Image mirrors have numerous clever and useful innovations in their line of high-tech makeup mirrors.
Magnification Guide

Makeup Mirror Magnification Comparison


These images are an approximation and may not be 100% accurate but they are useful as a basis for comparison. &nbspThe image you will actually see in the mirror is dependent upon several factors in addition to magnification power; including the size of the mirror, the viewing distance from mirror, and the quality of the lens.


Magnification Approximate
View
Viewing
Distance
Focal Length
3x Face, Hair, and Neck 10" - 13" 16"
5x Face and Some Hair or Some Neck 8" - 9" 11"-12"
7x Part of Face 5" - 6" 6" - 7"
10x Eyes and Nose 3" - 4" 3.5"
15x Eyes 2" 2"

There is no industry standard for specifying magnification power for makeup mirrors.  This opens the door to a high degree of subjectivity on the part of manufacturers when they describe the magnification power of their mirrors.  To ensure you're getting what you expect it is best to rely to the integrity of high quality makeup mirror manufacturers.


Don't make the mistake of opting for the highest magnification offered.  Most people are surprised to find how strong that might be.  Many find the 15x and greater mirrors much too strong and the viewing distance of approximately 2 inches, much too close for comfortable viewing.


For comparison purposes, most cosmetic-counter makeup mirrors have magnification powers between 3x and 7x.  Our most popular magnification power is 5x.  Indeed if you have vision problems or you have particularly critical tasks to accomplish, then you may want to opt for an extreme magnification makeup mirror. As an additional reference point: A jeweler's loop, used to inspect diamonds, is 10x power.


Factors other than the magnification affect the quality of the image you see.  The size of the makeup mirror is an important factor.  When two makeup mirrors are compared that both have the same magnification, glass quality, and silver-back quality, the larger size makeup mirror always wins - both for image clarity and freedom from distortion.  There is a simple reason for this.  Magnification is achieved by shaping the glass to a convex lens.  It is impossible to have zero distortion, but the center of the glass/mirror/lens is the point of least distortion.  The larger the mirror, the larger the center, and the less apparent distortion.


The quality of the glass and whether or not it's backed with pure silver or aluminum are two other important factors to consider.  And finally the quality of the material used for the frame and other metal parts is important if the mirror is to be used in a humid location such near a shower or bath.


3,500k vs. 5,500k

Color Temperature Comparison



Color Temperature is not Brightness Color temperature describes the color of the light.

The color temperature of any light bulb, including LEDs is measured in degrees Kelvin ("k").  The higher the color temperature, the closer the light is to pure white light at 10,000° K.  A blue sky sunny day at noon has a color temperature of about 5,500° K.  On a very bright cloud-covered day, the sky registers a color temperature closer to white, of about 6,500° K., while a "regular" incandescent light bulb has a color temperature of about 2,700° K.

The color temperature of the lighting in your mirror may affect the way you apply your makeup and then how it's viewed by others, in a real-life situation.  It's best, therefore, to choose a lighted makeup mirror with a color temperature to approximate your most frequent environment.

Many of our LED mirrors have their color temperature specified. And some makeup mirrors have adjustable or switchable color temperatures.  For those where color temperature is not specified a reasonable guide is this: For incandescent bulbs, a color temperature of around 3,000° K. is normal. LEDs with no color temperature specification often have color temperatures around 4,000° K. The chart at right can serve as a guide.


If you're planning for an outdoor day, the higher the color temperature the better. For evenings on the town, 2,700&deb; K. to 3,500° K. is best. For office environment lighting conditions, color temperatures around 4,500° K. provide the closest match.
Hotels

Partial List of Hotels with Aptations Brands Makeup Mirrors

  • Holland America Cruise Lines
  • Omni Hotels
  • Trump International Hotels
  • Fountainbleau Resort
  • The Wynn Hotel
  • Harrah's
  • Hotel Oceana
  • Marriott Hotels
  • W Hotels
  • Hyatt Regency
  • The Fairmount Hotels
  • Hard Rock Hotel - Las Vegas
  • Crown Plaza Hotel
  • Hilton Palmer House
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
  • Terranea Resort
  • LaCosta Resort
  • The London Hotels
  • Kapalua Bay Ritz Carlton
  • Hotel del Coronado
  • Marriott's Grand Chateau

Hardwire Installation

Electrician's Hardwired Makeup Mirror Mounting Instructions

•  Hardwired mirrors should be installed by a licensed electrician in accordance with local codes.

•  We strongly recommended that installation only be done when the mirror itself is present, and the actual user is available, in order to set the most convenient mounting height.

•  Install a 4" octagon box on a GFCI line or on a line where a GFCI outlet is installed, or both.  The box should be flush with the mounting surface at a height determined by the user.  The box should be capable of supporting 15 lbs.  The mirror doesn't weigh 15 lbs., but remember it may be on an arm as long as 20".  Note that the center of the mirror is usually 1/2" to 6" higher than the mounting-plate center.   All of our hardwired makeup mirrors have the switch contained within the mirror mounting plate, mirror base, or mirror housing.  No other switch is required.  Also note that each of our single and double arm wall mirrors tilt vertically and swing horizontally.

•  Hardwired mirrors, once wired, are no longer eligible for refund.

Shipping Information
Most Aptations Brands products ship within 48 hours (2 business days). The majority of Aptations brands makeup mirrors ship via UPS or FedEx from Kansas City, Missouri or from Seattle, WA. Time in transit generally takes between 2-4 business days, but depends on the destination. Your total delivery time to receive your order is the lead time (approximately 2 business days + transit time).

Product lead time is subject to item availability. With 99% certainty, if an item is back-ordered, the item will be greyed-out or missing from the selection list. If an and item "sneaks through" and allows an order, even though the idem is on back-order, we sincerely apologize, and we will do our best to notify you promptly.

To request tracking information for an order already placed, please contact customer service.


Warranty & Returns

 

Manufacturer's Warranty
Aptations Mirrors in all collections are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship. All metal finishes and reflective materials are fully warranted for three years.

The life of the finish will be best cared for, especially in areas of high heat and moisture, by keeping all surfaces clean and dry. Cleaning should be done with a non-abrasive cleaner and soft polishing cloth.

The warranty does not cover damages resulting from an accident after purchase, misuse, abuse, lack of reasonable care, or loss of parts. For lighted mirrors, this warranty does not cover the original light bulb beyond the normal lifetime of the bulb, or replacement bulbs. Replaceable bulbs (not LEDs) are easily replaceable and may be purchased at most local hardware stores or through Aptations directly.

Should your experience a product defect covered under the expressed warranty period, please contact our customer service department for prompt replacement of the defective item.

Returns & Exchanges

We understand that ordering online is different than purchasing a product in a store. Online, you are unable to touch, feel, and see the item "live and in person." Should you wish to return or exchange an item, simply contact us within 30 days of receipt. We will provide return instructions to ensure a prompt and accurate refund is issued.

Items must be returned in new, unused, and resalable condition with all original packaging intact. Returned items will be inspected prior to issuing credit. Return shipping costs will be deducted from refund for returns unless the mirror was received defective or damaged. Return shipping costs may be waived if exchanging for another item of same or greater value. Custom made products cannot be returned due to their uniqueness.

Free shipping applies only to merchandise shipped within the 48 contiguous United States.

If your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 5 business days of receipt of your order to ensure refund or exchange. We do not guarantee refund or exchange after 5 business days for items that may have been damaged in shipping due to requirements set forth by our shipping carriers.

Aptations Brands
What Sets Aptations Mirrors Apart?
Mirrors in the Aptations collections are usually reserved for elegant showrooms and display cases. The high quality and unbeatable clarity make these mirrors the best value for your money. Whether you need a mirror for applying make-up, shaving, or want to impress guests at your home, Aptations Mirrors stun with their brilliance and design. Superior quality and selection reasonable prices. Numerous exclusive innovations give you exceptional value in Mirror technology. And check our prices, always less than what you'd pay at a department store.

All mirrors in the Aptations collections mirrors go through a 4-step process to prevent pitting and tarnishing. - Step 1. The metal frame is cleaned in a neutralizing water bath. - Step 2. The metal is treated to a brass plating, then a pre-plating nickel bath. - Step 3. An acid-bath plating method is used to apply the chrome, gold, nickel, or other finish plating. - Step 4. Completion occurs with an application of an anti-tarnishing lacquer coating. All joints are either welded or reinforced and carefully machined to give you a mirror that won't turn into a "spinner" after a few months or even years of use. All glass lenses.

Bulbs are replaceable in incandescent and fluorescent models. Most lighted models, however, use LEDs that need no replacement. 3-Year Manufacturer's Warranty - best in the industry. Magnifications of 1x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 7x, and 10x. Please bear in mind that most mirrors are 3x or 5x magnification. 7x is larger than most people are accustomed to and more than adequate for most purposes. The 7x and 10x magnification mirrors produce dramatically large magnifications. Many models reverse to regular view. Non-reversible mirrors have plated metal backs, not cheap plastic. Table-top and Vanity Stand Mirrors have weighted and padded bases. Wall Mirrors have concealed mounting hardware. Most wall makeup mirrors are available in hardwired models. Lighted Mirrors are all UL listed. Incandescent illumination models use 25-Watt bulbs. Fluorescent models use low-heat 20 and 22 Watt bulb for the equivalent of 75 to 90 watt illumination. LED illuminated mirrors usually come in two color temperatures - 3,500° K. for indoor lighting and 5,500° K. that closely approximates daylight. They are very bright, and consume tiny amounts of electricity. Shipping usually within 48 hours.


Prop 65 Warning
Prop 65 Warning
Chromium hexavalent compounds.
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 45710560580

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Kevin M. Kruse’s One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America dismantles the enduring myth that the United States was founded as a “Christian nation.” Instead, Kruse demonstrates how this identity was deliberately constructed in the mid‑20th century as a political strategy. Beginning in the 1930s, business leaders alarmed by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal sought to counter what they perceived as government “slavery.” To resist these reforms, they partnered with clergy and promoted the idea of “freedom under God,” blending economic resistance with religious appeal. This alliance reached its zenith during Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency. Eisenhower expanded religion’s role in public life, inaugurating the National Prayer Breakfast, adding “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance, and making “In God We Trust” the official national motto. These initiatives reshaped American identity, fueling a surge in church membership and embedding religious language into civic rituals. The phrase “one nation under God” became a widely accepted marker of patriotism, crossing political and denominational lines. Kruse’s central argument is that Christian nationalism was not inherited from the Founders but deliberately cultivated by corporate and political interests in the 20th century. By exposing its origins, he reveals how this “invented tradition” continues to shape and divide American politics today. C.S. Lewis, in The Screwtape Letters, anticipated this danger with remarkable clarity. He warned that the gravest temptation is not outright disbelief but the subtle corruption of faith—when Christianity is treated as a means to another end rather than as an end in itself. Lewis’s insight resonates with Kruse’s account: both show how faith can be co‑opted when believers confuse God’s kingdom with Caesar’s. History is important, but it is equally important that we do not allow bad history to repeat—or even to rhyme—when each stanza leads us further from God. Kruse provides the historical scaffolding, Lewis the theological discernment. Together they invite us to vigilance: to name the temptations of Christian nationalism, to resist its allure, and to anchor our communities in the truth that God’s kingdom cannot be co‑opted by worldly power.
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One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America by Kevin Kruse “One Nation Under God" is an even-handed book that makes the record clear on where America’s religious identity came from. Professor Kevin Kruse makes the compelling historical case that America’s religious identity had its roots in the domestic politics against Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s and 1940s. This scholarly 386-page book includes eight chapters broken out into the following three parts: I. Creation, II. Consecration, and III. Conflict. Positives: 1. Interesting and well-written book. Fair and respectful treatment. 2. A fascinating premise, how Corporate America invented a Christian America. 3. Kruse does not waste time in establishing his thesis for the book. “This book argues, the postwar revolution in America’s religious identity had its roots not in the foreign policy panic of the 1950s but rather in the domestic politics of the 1930s and early 1940s.” 4. The origins of the union of Christianity and capitalism. “At First Congregational and elsewhere, the minister reached out warmly to the wealthy, assuring them that their worldly success was a sign of God’s blessings and brushing off the criticism of clergymen who disagreed.” 5. The anti-New Deal movement. “For Fifield and his associates, the phrase “freedom under God”—in contrast with what they saw as oppression under the federal government—became an effective new rallying cry in the early 1950s.” 6. The role that Billy Graham played in American politics. “As the Washington crusade began in January 1952, Graham made clear his intent to influence national politics.” 7. It’s always interesting to read about the fathers of prominent politicians and religious leaders of today or recent past. See how many you find. 8. Political opportunism illustrated. “Vereide recognized that the tensions of the Cold War could be exploited to win more converts to his cause.” 9. A comprehensive look at the history of the National Day of Prayer. “In an apparent nod to the previous year’s “Freedom Under God” observance, which was set to be repeated in 1952, Truman selected the Fourth of July as the date for the first National Day of Prayer.” 10. Eisenhower unlikely role as the spiritual leader of a nation. “Eisenhower’s relationship with the Freedoms Foundation ran back to its founding. In his first meeting with Belding in September 1948, he discovered that the ad man shared his belief that the free enterprise system was in desperate need of defense.” “FOR EISENHOWER, THE “GOVERNMENT UNDER God” theme of the first prayer breakfast became a blueprint for his entire administration.” 11. Key stats that show the influence of religion and politics. “The decade and a half after the Second World War, however, saw a significant surge: the percentage claiming a church membership climbed to 57 percent in 1950 and then spiked to an all-time high of 69 percent at the end of the decade.” 12. The drive to declare the United States as one based on the Bible. In God We Trust. “In July 1953, the National Association of Evangelicals arranged to have Eisenhower, Nixon, and other high-ranking officials sign a statement declaring that the United States government was based on biblical principles.” 13. Interesting tidbits about our founding fathers. “The founding fathers had felt no need to acknowledge “the law and authority of Jesus Christ,” and neither had subsequent generations of American legislators.” 14. A comprehensive look at the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. “THE ORIGINAL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, much like the Constitution itself, did not acknowledge the existence of God. Its author, Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister from Rome, New York, was a decidedly religious man, but when he wrote the pledge in the 1890s he described himself as something that would seem an oxymoron in Eisenhower’s America: a ‘Christian socialist’.” 15. Interesting history on the need to create an illusion of historical accuracy. 16. Separation of church and state. “The justice reached back to borrow a metaphor coined in a letter to his fellow Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut, two and a half centuries before. “In the words of Jefferson,” Black wrote, “the clause against establishment of religion by laws was intended to erect ‘a wall of separation between church and state.” “Religious liberty was essential, he told his wife, because “when one religion gets predominance, they immediately try to suppress the others.” 17. A look at the quest for school prayer amendment. The tactics used by both sides. “The issue is that agencies of government cannot avoid favoring one denomination and hurting another by the practical decisions that have to be made by government authority on what version of the Bible shall be imposed and what prayer. The churches know this and that is why they are against the Becker Amendment.” 18. Prayers at the White House. “In creating a “kind of sanctuary” in the East Room, Nixon committed the very sin the founders had sought to avoid.” 19. Republicans use of religion for political gain. “Much as Reagan used school prayer as a partisan issue, Bush used the pledge.” 20. An excellent epilogue. 21. Notes included. A section of abbreviations. Negatives: 1. Interesting but on the dry side. The book is scholarly but the author lacks flare. 2. Lacks conviction. The book feels more like a cold report than an engaging thesis. 3. Charts and timelines would have added value. 4. No formal bibliography. 5. At $14.92 for a Kindle book when the Hardcover was available for $15.70 at time of purchase may hurt some trees. In summary, this is really a 3.5 star book but I’m feeling generous. On the one hand, it’s an interesting topic that is covered in a fair and respectful manner while on the other hand it lacks panache. Kruse provides great insights into the evolution of the religious right and makes a compelling case of their true origins. A worthwhile book to read, I recommend it! Further recommendations: “Why the Religious Right Is Wrong about Separation of Church and State” by Robert Boston, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “The Dark Side of Christian History” by Helen Ellerbe, “Birth Control, Insurance Coverage, & the Religious Right” by A.F. Alexander, “The God Argument” by A.C. Grayling, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “Moral Combat” by Sikivu Hutchinson, “Republican Gomorrah” by Max Blumenthal, “American Fascists” by Chris Hedges, “Doubt” by Jennifer Michael Hecht, and “Society Without God” by Phil Zuckerman.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2015
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Rick Reckamp
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
A book from the real No Spin Zone
Format: eTextbook
Like so many others this book is about politics. What it is not - is another one of those research deficient screeds that are one percent fact and 99 percent fantasy pulled out of someone's behind. It is fully annotated, with references and a bibliography that is both impressive for its references and its sources. Every paragraph and every assertion is factcheckable. Names, dates and places are attached to the narrative leaving the debunkers little room to quibble. It begins with the Election of DD Eisenhower in 1952 and describes, in an exhaustively researched narrative, how we have through the succeeding administrations erroneously come to believe that we are a Christian Nation instead of a Nation of Christians. The meticulousness of the references prevents it from being a page turner, but it is a fascinating read for those who believe the Conservatives have hijacked God and the Flag, but don't know how it happened. Kruse details the process and the players during the 63 years Americans have been turned from a more liberal secularism to a more conservative sectarianism. Conservatives will not like the obvious conclusions to be drawn from "One Nation Under God", but they will find a lot to like in it. As I read certain passages I could almost hear them echoing, "THAT'S RIGHT" and "Of COURSE", not realizing they are affirming sectarianism and authoritarianism which are contrary to their reverently held Constitution. Liberals, who feel that the Conservatives have appropriated patriotism as their exclusive property, will find the facts to support their own Constitutional ideals. I give it 5 stars for scholarliness, sticking to the facts, timeliness, historical veracity, and as a book that will become a valuable reference for future study.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2015
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Jon Hunt
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
One Nation Under God.....Divisible
Format: Hardcover
"How Corporate America invented Christian America" is a perfect subtitle to Kevin Kruse's excellent book, "One Nation Under God", for as the author discusses, this is what happened to our culture over the course of several decades. It's an eye-opener and he presents an offering full of depth and insight. As Kruse reminds us in the epilogue, the source of America's becoming a "Christian" nation stems from the vitriol of those clergymen who opposed the New Deal. James Fifield and Abraham Vereide, two early proponents of this new America they sought, gave way to Billy Graham and Pat Robertson, who cemented the fact that God and the Republican party were joined at the hip. A large part of the book deals with how U.S. presidents dealt with the issue. Dwight Eisenhower presided over the change in the Pledge of Allegiance to include, "One Nation under God" and that American currency now bore the phrase "In God We Trust". His chapters lay the necessary groundwork nicely for the two most revealing chapters, "Our So-Called Religious Leaders", which largely deal with efforts to pass a constitutional amendment requiring school prayer, and "Which Side Are You On?", an intense look at how shamelessly Richard Nixon and his administration publicy made God "their own". While it is hard to imagine today the thousands of billboards and leaflets displayed in the manner that they were in the 1960s, the undercurrent of nastiness that exists to "promote" God remains. You can hear it in the Tea Party. What Kevin Kruse reminds us is that religion was, and still is, as divisive a force as any we have had in the past and have in America today.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2015

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