This challenging volume is at once a work of political analysis, cultural criticism, and theological engagement. Elshstain explores the true meaning of personhood and exposes the internal and external trappings that so easily lead us to forgot how to be faithful to something other than ourselves. Tapping the wellsprings of the Christian tradition, Elshtain shows, with the help of exemplars drawn from Christian history, the renewing role of faithfulness and hopefulness in contemporary life.

Elshtain suggests that much of what we rightly interpret as troubling presents fascinating interpretive occasions for Christians, who, of all people, are called to live in hope. She highlights in particular certain aspects of youth culture, taking up popular films like Seven and Titanic and tragedies like the shootings at Columbine High School. What she finds running through all of these are examples of courage and a search for a source of truth and meaning that seems to elude so many.