Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements

These 16 contributions advance the notion that a wave of apocalyptic and millennial ferment has been washing over American society and culture for several decades. The authors discuss this ferment in terms of its contemporary secular forms, its manifestation in American institutionalized religion, and its connection to violence and confrontation in such groups as the Branch Davidians and the Order of the Solar Temple. Although the focus is on North America, several contributors address developments overseas. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR