"Scholars of American religion have shown new interest in evangelical and Pentecostal movements. Of particular interest is revivalism - an enthusiastic or ecstatic form of religion which has affected religious institutions, ideas, behavior, and adherents throughout American history. In Embodying the Spirit Michael J. McClymond and his fellow contributors offer a new look at this extensive and often puzzling phenomenon. Going beyond institutional history, they examine a wide range of cases from colonial to contemporary America. The contributors explore the role of gender, church architecture, Latino revivalism, youth groups, radio evangelism, Catholic revivalism, and recent events such as the Toronto Blessing - an outbreak of laughter, crying, and dancing which began at Toronto's Airport Vineyard Church in 1994 and has since spread to other congregations throughout the world." "This book will appeal to scholars and students of popular religion as well as to general readers interested in the subject."--BOOK JACKET.