Tell a friend about this book...
Friend's Email:
Subject: I have found a book that I think you would enjoy
Member $avings: $16,041,795.68
|
Books Available: 4,135,704
|
Members Online: 195
Your source for swapping books online - Read...Swap...Save!
How To Swap Books?
Sign Up
Search 
Kiosk
All Books
Book Browser
Advanced Search
Books Posted Today
Member Book Reviews
NYT Best Seller List
Newbery Medal Winners
Pulitzer Prize Winners
Most Traveled Copies
Club Wish List
Login
Community
Member Directory
Discussion Forums
Blog
Live Chat (1)
Box-O-Books
Book Journal
Maps
The Eclectic Pen
Fun Stuff
Top 50s
Pulse of PBS
Spread The Word
Photo Gallery
Recipes
Club Tag Cloud
Member Testimonials
Friends of PBS
Help Center
Kiosk
Need Help?
Search - Under the Banner of Heaven : A Story of Violent Faith
|
Under the Banner of Heaven : A Story of Violent Faith Author: |
|
|||
Book Information
|
|||||
Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio Cassette (Abridged), Audio CD (Abridged)
Book Description:
Jon Krakauer’s literary reputation rests on insightful chronicles of lives conducted at the outer limits. He now shifts his focus from extremes of physical adventure to extremes of religious belief within our own borders, taking readers inside isolated American communities where some 40,000 Mormon Fundamentalists still practice polygamy. Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the renegade leaders of these Taliban-like theocracies are zealots who answer only to God.
At the core of Krakauer’s book are brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a commandment from God to kill a blameless woman and her baby girl. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this appalling double murder, Krakauer constructs a multi-layered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, polygamy, savage violence, and unyielding faith. Along the way he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America’s fastest growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief.
At the core of Krakauer’s book are brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a commandment from God to kill a blameless woman and her baby girl. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this appalling double murder, Krakauer constructs a multi-layered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, polygamy, savage violence, and unyielding faith. Along the way he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America’s fastest growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief.
Members who requested this book also requested:
Similar books to this author and title:
 |  |  |  |
Genres:
- History >> Americas >> United States >> 20th Century >> 1945 - Present
- Nonfiction >> True Accounts >> Murder & Mayhem
Top Member Book Reviews
Leigh P. (
9 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is very biased. I'm an atheist, so I have no vested interest in the religion, but Krakauer chooses to reveal some pretty harsh history about Mormonism. He takes a somewhat mocking tone while describing how the religion began, describes some pretty graphic scenes of violence, and glosses over some of the parts describing Mormon values.
By the title, I wasn't expecting this book to try and be objective; however I had hoped Krakauer would present at least some part of Mormonism that wasn't "bad." For instance, I had hoped he would describe, with the same level of detail he gave the massacre, why the group had to move around so much.
Parts of this book are slow, but the interesting parts do redeem the book by moving so quickly. I recommend this to those who are interested in the history of the Mormon faith, but suggest reading the other side, too.
Marta J. (
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
A very well-researched, bone-chilling account of brutal murders committed in the name of God. This present-day story is intertwined with a history of Mormonism and its many splinter fundamentalist groups.
Jennie B. (
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
A compelling history of FLDS sects, the mainstream Mormon church, and the events leading to a grotesque crime. Also a thought-provoking look at the psychological and sociological underpinnings of fundamentalist religious fanaticism in general (worth contemplating in today's world). A great read.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
A riveting true account of the brutal murders of a young mother and her infant daughter at the hands of two fundamentalist Mormon brothers who claimed to be directed by God. Traces the histories of the Mormon church and various excommunicated splinter sects, and discusses the seeds of fundamentalism and how ordinary people can be turned into fanatics willing to commit acts of violence in the name of God. Fascinating reading.
Joan E. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Dryer than I expected it to be, Under the Banner of Heaven is still an interesting non-fiction read. It recounts the story of the brutal murder of a woman and her baby daughter, committed by two brothers who insist God commanded them to kill their victims. In investigating and writing about the crime, Krakauer ends up revealing a darker side of Mormonism - a darker sect of religious folks (not mainstream Mormons) with distorted (and dangerous) views of faith. It's fascinating; just a little more clinical than I expected.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Anybody with an interest in the history of the West should read this book. The history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre is thoroughly researched by the author. This has been swept under the rug in the past. It shows in great detail why some consider the Mormons, at least at times, not to be a particularly benign or positive group!
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great informative book about Mormons researched from a non-Mormon perspective. I have a new appreciation for Mormons after reading the stories in this book.
Paul C. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a book about Mormons especially the fundamentalists... and how bizarre religious thinking led to the murder of an innocent mother and her child... a true story.
I found the writing objective and enlightening -typical of a journalist.
For me in 2009, my #1 book.
Lynda C. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Study of the history of the Mormon Church and its various schisms, mostly over the issue of polygamy, and how they led to fundamentalist violence extending into the present day.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
as one of my favorite authors, jon krakauer does an excellent job turning his research into a story full of history, mystery, confusion, and questions. i learned many things about the mormon religion, the fundamentalist mormon religion, and their history.
Please Rate these Book Reviews
Jon Krakauer is great to read and pulls no punches in this controversial book.
Great story of the Mormon religion. I enjoy Jon Krakauer's writing style.
Fascinating book, some of the history I found a little bit tedious...but that's just me. Overall, a very interesting account of the "American Religion".
This book was incredible. I did not know if I was going to like it or not, but, you just have to read it. I cannot beleive this actually goes on in America today.
A fascinating history of America, Mormondom, and fanatacism. Disturbing, revealing, and engrossing.
Can be tedious at times, but it provides interesting background on Mormon Church.
This book does a great job in tellnig the history of the Mormon church in America, and builds on recent events. However, the book was a little dry for my taste, and as such was not as quick a read as I would like. All in all, a good book.
Book Wiki
Common Title
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Real Places
Fictional Places
Important Events
Awards and Honors