Jon Butler, the Howard R. Lamar Professor Emeritus of American Studies, History, and Religious Studies at Yale University discusses his work and the importance of studying the history of the Midwest. His publications include \u201cAwash in a Sea of Faith: Christianizing the American People,\u201d which earned the American Historical Association\u2019s Beveridge Award for the best book in American history in 1990, \u201cBecoming America: The Revolution Before 1776," published in 2000, and his current research focuses on religion in the late 19th and early 20th century Manhattan. (photo courtesy of Yale University, Department of History)