Upton Sinclair, the famous muckraker who wrote The Jungle, turns his sharp eye from the meatpacking industry to the church in this book. This isn't a theological debate. Instead, Sinclair lays out a case, backed by his research and fiery prose, that the established churches of his time were deeply entangled with big business and political power. He paints a picture where religion was used to preach contentment with poverty, discouraging workers from demanding better pay or conditions, all while wealthy industrialists donated to churches and sat in the front pews.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a punch to the gut, and I mean that in the best way. It forces you to look at familiar institutions through a completely different lens. Sinclair's passion is contagious, even when you might disagree with his sweeping conclusions. Reading it today is fascinating because you can see the roots of modern debates about wealth, power, and social control. It's less about whether you believe in God and more about asking: Who benefits when people are told to accept their lot in life?

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love historical deep dives, social criticism, or books that challenge the status quo. If you enjoyed the exposé style of The Jungle or the skeptical analysis of writers like Christopher Hitchens, you'll find a fascinating ancestor here. Be warned: it's polemical and one-sided by design. Don't read it for a balanced view of religion; read it to understand a powerful, angry argument about money, class, and power that still echoes today.