The Rise to Respectability: Race, Religion, and the Church of God in Christ, by Calvin White, Jr. Fayetteville: The University of Arkansas Press, 2012. 239 pages.The Rise to Respectability demonstrates great knowledge of African American religious life from the late 19th century in the South, particularly in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas, to the early 20th century. Calvin White documents the progress of the Holiness movement by providing insight into the origin and how it all came about at the hands of Charles Mason and other leaders. White begins by providing a brief history of Manson and his family's early life. He then goes on to describe the many battles Manson faced since the creation of the Church of God in Christ, religious accountability, civil courts, and disagreements regarding his style of worship that many, especially whites, considered embarrassing. This book examines the effects of the Holiness-Pentecostal movement on African American history as well as its cultural and religious impact on Southern history. It weaves together the history of religion, race, and class and the religious experience of blacks during the Jim Crow era. The title of the book, The Rise to Respectability, gives the impression that the book imparts knowledge regarding the religious aspects of African American members of the Church of God in Christ and their journey to earn respect in the religious community. Leaders of the Church of God in Christ had different views on black charismatic religious traditions that were deeply rooted in slavery such as shouting, dancing, and speaking in tongues. This disagreement quickly spread among clergymen who demanded a more sophisticated religious experience from Mason and… interesting enough for the reader to overcome this disconnect, especially if interested in all aspects of African culture. American history. It provided information about this reviewer's hometown of Memphis, TN and its connection to the Church of God in Christ and the Holiness movement that they were unaware of. This is the purpose of this type of book. It's not just about providing a rundown of historical and religious events, it's about providing the reader with a means for a personal connection, and it's up to the reader to find that connection. This connection may not be as obvious as a hometown fact, but it may be deeply rooted in the overall message of the work. Find that personal connection and this book will definitely be worth reading. However, this book provides an in-depth window into religion and how it connects with the many branches of history.