Stephen Mansfield’s two books, The Faith of Barack Obama and his upcoming The Mormonizing of America, are gaining new importance as guides to the upcoming 2012 election. The Faith of Barack Obama, a 2008 international best seller, has recently been updated and expanded so that it includes a fascinating overview of Obama’s first term journey of faith. The additional material is so detailed it includes samples of the devotionals the president receives each day on his Blackberry.

The Mormonizing of America helps explain the faith of the other candidate in the presidential race, Mitt Romney. Though the book rarely mentions Romney, it is an engaging, hard-hitting overview of Mormon beliefs and history that illuminates one of the most critical issues in the 2012 race–What does the rising influence of Mormonism mean for America?

The expanded, updated edition of The Faith of Barack Obama is in stores now. The Mormonizing of America releases in late June. Watch this website for interviews and updates on both books.