Choice Review
Scott (Stanford Univ.) illuminates the Christian practice of pilgrimages to healing shrines from medieval to contemporary times. He also explores the contemporary phenomenon of "virtual pilgrimage" on the Internet as a foil to the practice of physical pilgrimage. The author carefully weaves detailed textual and historiographic work with the latest social scientific findings on pain, and environmental and behavioral factors that promote health and shape the experience of illness. With these tools, he believes, social and medical evidence can explain why medieval and contemporary Christians found and continue to find transformative healing in the midst of their journey. Theologically inclined readers might find this analysis too reductionist since it avoids theological claims and refuses to engage the question of divine agency. However, Scott is open and honest about his approach, noting that he simply works as a social scientist. This book is an extremely valuable addition to the growing body of literature on faith and medicine. It represents a sophisticated integration of historical analysis of religious practice with the latest findings in medicine and the social sciences. Readers at all levels should enjoy this engaging but sophisticated book. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. A. W. Klink Duke University
Library Journal Review
Scott (former deputy director, Ctr. for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences; Gothic Enterprise: A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral) has written a very fine book on the phenomenon of miraculous healing, dating back to the Middle Ages, with pilgrimages still a phenomenon today. He deals first with the situations and persons among whom cures were likely to occur (apparitions, pilgrimages, shrines) and then with the conditions addressed and some possible etiologies of apparent cures. Scott's book dwells very heavily on medieval experience-when he moves toward the modern era, it's because he's established his reasoning in medieval phenomena. The emphasis here is on the medieval experience. His approach, while informed and respectful, is that of the sociologist rather than the theologian, believer, or historian, and his findings are both illuminating and, ultimately, rational. VERDICT An intellectually fascinating book, Scott's treatment will be eye-opening for students of history, theology, and human nature.-Graham Christian, Pelham, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
