C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy

C Street follows journalist Jeff Sharlet's investigation into The Family, a secretive Christian fundamentalist organization with deep connections to American political power. The book centers on a townhouse at C Street in Washington D.C., which serves as both a residence for politicians and a hub for The Family's activities. Sharlet traces The Family's influence through recent political scandals, including those of former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford and Nevada Senator John Ensign. The narrative expands beyond domestic politics to examine The Family's international reach, particularly their involvement in Uganda's anti-homosexuality legislation and relationships with authoritarian leaders worldwide. Through interviews, historical research, and firsthand observations, Sharlet documents how The Family operates at the intersection of religion and politics in America. The investigation reveals their methodology of working through personal relationships with powerful figures rather than traditional lobbying or public advocacy. The book addresses fundamental questions about the separation of church and state, and examines how religious organizations can shape public policy through informal networks of influence rather than official channels.

Readers found the book to be a detailed investigation into religious influence in American politics, with many noting its revelations about powerful figures connected to the C Street house. Positive reviews highlighted: - Deep research and documentation - Clear connections between religious groups and political decisions - Engaging narrative style that makes complex relationships understandable Common criticisms: - Repetitive content from Sharlet's previous book "The Family" - Scattered narrative structure that jumps between topics - Some readers felt the thesis about threat levels was overstated Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.0/5 (90+ ratings) Several readers noted the book works better as journalism than as a cohesive narrative. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "Important information but could have been edited down significantly." Multiple reviewers mentioned the book helped them understand previously unclear connections between certain religious movements and American political decisions.

The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power by Jeff Sharlet A companion investigation into the same religious organization's influence on American politics through historical documents and firsthand reporting.

Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party by Max Blumenthal An examination of the Christian right's impact on the Republican party through interviews with movement leaders and participants.

One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America by Kevin M. Kruse A historical analysis of how business leaders and religious figures collaborated to link Christianity with free-market capitalism in American politics.

The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism by Katherine Stewart An investigation into the political networking and funding behind the Christian nationalist movement in contemporary America.

Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right by Anne Nelson A detailed mapping of the organizations, donors, and media outlets that connect religious conservatism to political power in the United States.

🏛️ The book investigates "The Family," a secretive religious organization that operates the C Street Center, a townhouse on Capitol Hill where several members of Congress have lived. 🌎 The Family has influenced American foreign policy through their National Prayer Breakfast, which has been attended by every U.S. president since Eisenhower. 📚 Author Jeff Sharlet first infiltrated The Family while posing as a member at Ivanwald, one of their young men's residences, which became the basis for his previous book "The Family." ⚖️ The C Street house gained national attention in 2009 when it was linked to three political sex scandals involving Senator John Ensign, Governor Mark Sanford, and Representative Chip Pickering. 🔍 The organization traces its origins to 1935 when founder Abraham Vereide had a vision that God wanted him to minister to political and business leaders rather than the poor and downtrodden.