For anyone who cares to understand how we’ve gotten ourselves in our present ecclesiastical mess, I’d suggest that he read the following five works:
America’s God, Mark Noll
Revival and Revivalism, Iain Murray
The Democritization of American Christianity, Nathan Hatch
Christianity’s Dangerous Idea, Alister McGrath
Promise Unfulfilled, Rolland McCune
Diakrisis 
conservativesojourner
October 31, 2011 at 10:29 am
What about:
Fundamentalism and American Culture and
Reforming Fundamentalism
By George Marsden?
Michael Riley
October 31, 2011 at 10:32 am
I’ve read both, and I’d say that Reforming Fundamentalism definitely left a more lasting impression; it’s a great read and I’d definitely recommend it.
I suppose it’s kinda sad that we could add several volumes to a list like this.
Nathan Hitz
November 20, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Recommended: Jesus Made In America, by Stephen Nichols. More so a popular-level introduction than the books above, but worthwhile nonetheless.