A look at some of the important people and places in American history that were influenced or impacted by Catholics. In well researched, engaging chapters, Schmiesing examines such places as the Washington Monument and the University of Notre Dame and such people as Mother Cabrini and the first Black priest ordained in America. This is a bit of a travel guide, a bit of a biography. Easy to read and filled with tidbits that are both entertaining and informative. Although certainly aimed at a Catholic audience, anyone interested in American history will enjoy reading this book. I grew up Catholic and spent 12 years in Catholic school, but many of the stories here were new to me. I learned a lot, and now I want to visit some of these sites.

This was an interesting look at the many Catholic sites in the United States. It was even more interesting to see Notre Dame mentioned especially living close to the college.

I enjoyed reading about each one of the sites mentioned by Schmiesing. I knew a little bit of information about some of the sites, but Schmiesing went into much more detail sharing about the struggles and difficulties of the everyday life of people involved with these places. I was not aware of the tremendous effort that was put forth by many Catholics to share the Good News of the Catholic faith. It also surprised me how they were willing to put up with many hardships in their everyday life, including poverty, just to be able to minister to others in charity. The turmoil that happened at some of the sites, because a few Catholics were totally against fellow Catholics, was eye opening for me! The cited resources at the end of each chapter, make me realize how much time and solid research has gone into the writing of this book. I learned a great deal about many places that I knew nothing about, and the details behind the scenes of those places I am already familiar with. I am glad I read it, as I now have a much greater appreciation of those who kept laboring while keeping their Catholic faith, amidst much suffering and turmoil during the early days of the United States.

Using places, well-known and not well-known, as the starting point, this book examines American history through a Catholic lens. Beginning with the founding of St. Augustine's church and ending with the presence of a moon rock in a Catholic high school in Ohio, you'll learn so much in each of the chapters.

I loved that the author did not shy away from controversial topics and events, but always presented them in an even-handed way, too often absent in current works. You'll easily be able to take a fruitful armchair pilgrimage with this book.

I received an ARC of, A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History, by Kevin Schmiesing. I never realized how many Catholic pilgrimage sites we have in the US. This was a well written book, on the history of the sacred sites.