"A mixed multitude" : the struggle for toleration in colonial Pennsylvania /

Schwartz (Eastern Montana College) insists that Pennsylvania more than any other American colony encouraged pluralism, and practiced toleration and liberty of conscience. She traces Pennsylvania's growing diversity and concomitant commitment to ethnic, religious, and political toleration. Prejudice and conflict existed but, Schwartz argues, manifestations were episodic, and increasingly condemned. The book's charm and usefulness are found in its detail rather than in its conclusions, which are neither novel nor altogether convincing. Schwartz finds that the early policies of William Penn, the heterogeneity, competitiveness, and individualism of Pennsylvania's inhabitants, the isolation of its communities, and the failure of Old World institutions that were faithfully replicated in Pennsylvania produced an undogmatic approach to differences among peoples. Schwartz exhibits an impressive grasp of primary materials, but the decision to limit her notes leaves the impression she is ungenerous. Authors not cited make up a veritable who's who of contributors to Pennsylvania historiography. Nonetheless, this is a good companion piece to Joseph Illick's Colonial Pennsylvania: A History (CH, Oct '76). Public and academic libraries, community college level up. -G. S. Rowe, University of Northern Colorado