Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-226) and index.

Homeschooling is a large and growing phenomenon in American society--between 1952 and 2003 it grew at ten times the rate of public school enrollments. Current estimates suggest that about two million kids are homeschooled, but information about them is incomplete. Here, educator Robert Kunzman uses his unprecedented access to six conservative Christian homeschooling families to explore this elusive world, from the day-to-day lives of its adherents to its broader aspirations to transform American culture and politics. He shows us what their homeschooling experience looks like firsthand, what their political and religious beliefs are, and what their kids learn about democratic citizenship and engaging with people with different beliefs. Woven throughout Kunzman's narrative are larger questions about the purpose of public education, what makes an educated citizenry--and how American political and intellectual life could change as conservative Christian homeschooled children reach adulthood.--From publisher description.

1. Shaping a godly world -- 2. The Palmer family : in the world, not of the world -- California homeschool convention -- 3. The Rivera family : "I can see that I'm doing the right thing" -- Bridgeway Academy -- 4. The Branson family : "a godless conspiracy" -- Academic achievement and socialization -- 5. Generation Joshua and HSLDA : "a few good soldiers" -- Civic engagement done differently -- 6. The Carroll family : "public school is the enemy" -- Race, homeschooling, and the common school vision -- 7. The Wallis family : "God gave her to me" -- Indiana homeschool convention -- 8. The Shaw family : "nobody can teach my kids better than I can" -- 9. Becoming a public -- Acknowledgments -- Bibliographic note -- Index.