An inspiration to Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, and other leaders of the civil rights movement, Howard Thurman was a crucial figure in the history of African Americans in the 20th century. Until now, however, he has not received the biographical treatment he deserves. In Against the Hounds of Hell, Thurman scholar Peter Eisenstadt offers a fascinating exploration of the life of this religious thinker and activist. Thurman’s life, was as notable for its remarkable variety as its accomplishments. The first significant African American pacifist, Thurman was the first African American to meet Mahatma Gandhi. An early and outspoken feminist, environmentalist, and advocate for social and economic justice, he was one of the first and most insistent mid-twentieth-century proponents of racial integration. At the same time, he was a key figure in the emergence of mysticism and spirituality as an alternative to formal religion. Thurman dedicated his career to challenging what he called the "hounds of hell"―the ways in which fear, deception, and hatred so often dogged the steps of African Americans and the marginalized and disinherited peoples of the world. This biography will at last establish this multifaceted historical personage as a leading figure of twentieth-century American politics, religion, and culture. Until now, there has been no standard one-volume biography of this transcendently important figure, one of the most important ministers, theologians, and philosophers of twentieth-century America. Eisenstadt’s magisterial work is the definitive biography of Thurman. ― Paul Harvey, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, author of Howard Thurman and the Disinherited: A Religious Biography Peter Eisenstadt gives current and future generations a masterpiece for understanding Thurman’s significance in shaping our history and a promising future. ― Luther E. Smith Jr., Emory University, author of Howard Thurman: The Mystic as Prophet With this thoroughly researched and elegantly written biography, Peter Eisenstadt has secured the legacy of Howard Thurman's life and work. Just as importantly, he offers readers who are just now discovering Thurman a very good idea why the renaissance of this great American's spiritual wisdom is long overdue. Read the book to learn your history, feed your soul, or change your life. Whatever your reason, Thurman and Eisenstadt will not disappoint. ― Barbara Brown Taylor , Learning to Walk in the Dark Peter Eisenstadt explores Howard Thurman through a lens only a gifted historian can offer. Eisenstadt shows that Thurman is more than a seminal religious figure; he's a genuine American icon whose wisdom and cultural importance becomes richer over time. Thurman's life story has all the elements of a rich human drama. But in the telling by Peter Eisenstadt, every detail is wrapped in just the right historic, cultural and theological context to make it ever more engaging. ― Martin E. Doblmeier , "Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story " This will likely be the definitive biography for a half-century or more. ― Spirituality and Practice This thoroughly researched and well-written biography of an influential African American preacher and teacher shines a light on the origins of the civil rights movement by concentrating on one who lived and preached his Christian beliefs in his own personal way. ― Library Journal Peter Eisenstadt has created a must-read biography. The thoroughness with which he undertakes this important subject matter exposes the connectivity of Thurman to the modern era of the Black freedom struggle. The book also demonstrates that this connection was not a passing concern. For anyone who strives to become familiar with the Black struggle for freedom in America, they cannot simply ignore Howard Washington Thurman nor can they ignore this book. ― American Historical Review Howard Thurman was a puzzle, to be sure, but in this excellent book that is useful to researchers and appropriate for both graduate and undergraduate teaching, Eisenstadt manages to capture his philosophy succinctly.― Peace & Change This will likely be the definitive biography for a half-century or more. This thoroughly researched and well-written biography of an influential African American preacher and teacher shines a light on the origins of the civil rights movement by concentrating on one who lived and preached his Christian beliefs in his own personal way. Peter Eisenstadt has created a must-read biography. The thoroughness with which he undertakes this important subject matter exposes the connectivity of Thurman to the modern era of the Black freedom struggle. The book also demonstrates that this connection was not a passing concern. For anyone who strives to become familiar with the Black struggle for freedom in America, they cannot simply ignore Howard Washington Thurman nor can they ignore this book. Peter Eisenstadt explores Howard Thurman thro