The introductory note encapsulates the premise and problems with which An American Bible: A History of the Good Book in the United States, 1777-1880 grapples. Gutjahr writes: "The Bible is a unique book in Western Culture, reflected by the frequent capitalization of the word Bible in general usage. I differ slightly from this practice - by capitalizing the word Bible only when I refer to the work itself, but not when I speak of Bibles collectively" (xiii).