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Has anyone read this book by John Krakauer? It's about a murder in the mormon community of Utah but it's interspersed with historical and current information about the only modern day religion with it's roots in North America.
It was well written, engaging, and nothing like other religious history books I have read (more honestly tried to read) before.
Has anyone read this book by John Krakauer? It's about a murder in the mormon community of Utah but it's interspersed with historical and current information about the only modern day religion with it's roots in North America.
It was well written, engaging, and nothing like other religious history books I have read (more honestly tried to read) before.
I listened to the book on CD. Very interesting. It was clear the mainstream LDS church has backed way away from this group, but the point seemed to be that the underlying philosophy is way to blame for that type of situation.
No I'm not Mormon but I found the book and the history of the religion quite interesting. I knew nothing of the gold tablets having been found in America.
No I'm not Mormon but I found the book and the history of the religion quite interesting. I knew nothing of the gold tablets having been found in America.
The book is basically an attack on religion generally, using a twisted non-Mormon pair of Utah-brothers to attack Mormonism specifically. The underlying thesis is that religion inherently brings out the violent in people and is a source of great suffering for humanity.
It may be a "good read" but it isn't "good history." Fundamentally it is anti-religion propaganda written by a professional writer basically unfamiliar with the complex issues underlying the titillating and lurid story of an insane murderer.
You can read Allen L. Wyatt's "reader's journal" review of the book here.
You can read historian Richard E. Turley, Jr.'s review of the book here (note that this is a pdf file, not a website).
And you can read Craig L. Foster's review of the book here (broken link) (note that this is also a pdf file, not a website).
This book worths reading.
I just borrowed it from my school's library and read a few pages.This book will give you some thoughts on the power of religious power,brainwash....etc.
Jon Krakauer is a great author... he only has a handful of books out and his research is EXTENSIVE. I found Under the Banner of Heaven fascinating. Although, I had to stop reading it at times as some of the facts were upsetting.
Jon Krakauer is a great author... he only has a handful of books out and his research is EXTENSIVE. I found Under the Banner of Heaven fascinating.
I am in agreement with Mommabear on this one. When I first read this book about two years ago, what initially struck me was the fact that it seemed like such a departure from the other books that Krakauer had written. I have to admit I was curious as to why he chose to write "Under the Banner of Heaven." I second Mommabear's opinion that Krakauer is extremely thorough in his research, and he certainly did not stray from that in writing this book.
I have to say that this was one book that remained with me for a very, very long time after I had finished reading it, as it made me ponder the nature of religious experience in FLDS in particular, as well as human beings in general.
I have read it and was also impressed with the quality of the writing. Krakauer did seem to do he research. I think the only distinction that needs to be made is that this is FLDS, not LDS. I never got the feeling that this book was anti-religion propaganda. It may have been anti-FLDS, but not anti-religion.
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