James V. Spickard is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Redlands and author of Alternative Sociologies of Religion, among other books.

"From one of sociology's most astute interpreters, this book invites readers to listen to six stories that have shaped how we understand the presence of religion in the world. Rich in a diverse array of data, Spickard shows us what those stories help to explain and what they miss. This is a magnificent introduction to the ways sociologists see religion." - Nancy T. Ammerman, author of Studying Lived Religion: Contexts and Practices "Spickard achieves something rare: comprehensiveness without sacrificing readability. Integrating canonical and recent scholarship, he evaluates each major approach with critical maturity, showing where each succeeds and where it falls short. An honest, well-grounded reckoning that rewards students, scholars, and serious readers alike. Highly recommended." - Gerardo Martí, co-author of The Church Must Grow or Perish: Robert H. Schuller and the Business of American Christianity "Not all stories are theories, but all theories are stories. This book is a brilliant tour of the key stories sociologists of religion have told in the last half a century. Like all of Spickard's writing, it is infused with wisdom, wit, and wonder." - Titus Hjelm, author of Peter L. Berger on Religion "Jim Spickard has written an engaging and enlightening book showing different understandings of contemporary religion and how those differences came to be. He reminds us that no one "story" can give the full picture. These richly told examples, many from outside of the United States, provide ways to assess each story's strength and weaknesses. Spickard clearly models generous scholarship, pointing to how we can learn from those who are different from us." - Mary Jo Neitz, editor of The Handbook on Gender and Religion