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Kerry Walter’s book <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616141905/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616141905&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5a7e8cbbf95e7da22a3a5103f4916a6a Revolutionary Deists: Early America's Rational Infidels]</i> published by Prometheus Books focuses upon the period from 1725 to 1810 and the influence of deism on American society and its religious life. The main argument of the book is that deism played a leading role in America life and influenced some of the leading figures in American life at this time and left a lasting impression on the young nation.

David Hume’s criticism of reason raised doubts as to whether it could be reliable and if humans were rational creatures. The rise of Transcendentalism was another blow to Deism. Influenced by Romanticism, it suggested that there were unfathomable aspects of the human experience and emphasized intuition over reason. Ironically the Deists success in ’ameliorating the dogmatic supernaturalism of Orthodox Christianity in America’ meant that their arguments were not as pertinent to American religious life. <ref> Walters, p 116</ref> Walters finally discusses the legacy of the Deists. They had an impact on religious life in America and ensured that the various Orthodox Christian groups did not emphasize the supernatural aspect of Christianity. Their influence was also particularly in the area of social reform. They were early champions of the abolition of slavery and women’s rights. The American tradition of and commitment to social reform is perhaps their greatest legacy.

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