“Hildebrand has contributed a perspective on Methodist evangelistic activities in the aftermath of the Civil War that will help scholars continue the investigation of this important aspect of American religious history.” - Gardiner H. Shattuck Jr. , American Historical Review
“Hildebrand has written a thought-provoking, well-documented book analyzing the manner in which Methodist ministers from the Civil War to the end of Reconstruction presented the gospel to African Americans in the South and how that presentation affected the activities of blacks in both church and society. . . . A fine scholarly contribution, displaying sensitivity and precision of research.” - Sandy Dwayne Martin, Journal of Southern History
“Hildebrand has written an important and often moving account of Methodist preachers during the Reconstruction era.” - Randy J. Sparks, Georgia Historical Quarterly
“This is a very fine, nuanced, carefully wrought, painstakingly researched, and important contribution.” - Russell E. Richey, Journal of Religion
"The Times Were Strange and Stirring demonstrates the significance and relevance of church history to the study of the diverse reaction of ex-slaves to the new possibilities that freedom opened to them and to the realities of the postbellum South." - John R. McKivigan, West Virginia University
"This book fills an important gap in the history of the black church, reconstruction, and southern history. Hildebrand makes a significant contribution to our understanding of black religious history during the last quarter of the nineteenth century." - Clarence E. Walker, University of California, Davis
