Author Guide · Religion & Politics
Books Written by
In 2002 Jeff Sharlet, a young writer about religion, went to live in a house in Arlington, Virginia, run by a little-known Christian organisation that worked quietly with members of Congress and foreign leaders. What he found there became The Family, a book about the influence of an elite evangelical network on American politics, later a Netflix series. He has spent his career writing about belief in America, from small-town churches to the rallies of recent years. This guide covers all six of his books in order, and where to start.
By Lisanne Swart · 6 books · Religion and politics · 2004–2023 · Updated October 2026
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Quick answer
Jeff Sharlet has published six books: Killing the Buddha (2004, with Peter Manseau); The Family (2008) and C Street (2010), about an influential Christian political network; Sweet Heaven When I Die (2011) and This Brilliant Darkness (2016), on faith and doubt; and The Undertow (2023), about American politics and belief.
Where to Start with Jeff Sharlet
If you want the famous one
→ The Family (2008).
If you want the most recent
→ The Undertow (2023).
If you want essays
→ Sweet Heaven When I Die (2011).
All 6 Jeff Sharlet Books, in Order
Killing the Buddha
Written with Peter Manseau: a road trip across America in search of how people actually practise religion.
The Family
An investigation into the Fellowship, a Christian network that works with politicians in Washington and abroad, based partly on Sharlet's time living in one of its houses. It became a Netflix documentary series in 2019.
C Street
A follow-up to The Family, focused on the network's Washington house on C Street and its members in Congress.
Sweet Heaven When I Die
Essays on belief and unbelief in America, from a folk singer to a gay preacher to a small-town church.
This Brilliant Darkness
Portraits of strangers he met, combining text and photographs, written after he nearly died of heart failure.
The Undertow
Reporting from across America on political rallies, churches and movements, and the anger and belief driving the country's divisions.
How Many Books Did Jeff Sharlet Write?
Six books between 2004 and 2023, besides anthologies he edited.
- Religion and power — The Family, C Street and The Undertow. Read the entries →
- Faith and doubt — Killing the Buddha, Sweet Heaven When I Die, This Brilliant Darkness. Read the entries →
In What Order to Read Jeff Sharlet
The Family and C Street belong together; read them in that order.
A reading path
1. The Family (2008)
2. The Undertow (2023)
3. Sweet Heaven When I Die (2011)
Quick facts about Jeff Sharlet
- Teaches
- English and creative writing at Dartmouth College
- Magazines
- Harper's, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair
- Adaptation
- The Family, Netflix documentary series (2019)
- Books
- 6, from 2004 to 2023
How Jeff Sharlet Writes: Belief Up Close
Sharlet writes about religion by spending time with believers, from Washington insiders to small-town congregations, and takes their beliefs seriously.
He combines investigation with literary essay, and often writes in the first person about his own encounters.
Frequently asked questions about Jeff Sharlet's books
How many books has Jeff Sharlet written?
Jeff Sharlet has published six books, from Killing the Buddha (2004) to The Undertow (2023).
What is The Family about?
The Family (2008) investigates the Fellowship, a Christian network with influence in American politics. It became a Netflix series.
Footnotes
Bibliography last verified 1 October 2026.
This list was not put together by a machine.
The notes are all mine,
and the books are all his.
Lisanne x
Written by Lisanne Swart, who has curated reading lists and author guides at lisanneswart.com since 2021.
See more on her personal bookshelf.
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