Book Reviews of Under the Banner of Heaven : A Story of Violent Faith

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Interesting and alarming book on some truly scary people.

i think the book was great. it did deviate (a LOT) from the topic, but it always reminded you of what you'd forgotten. there's a ton of mormon history, really teaches you a lot. is riveting, and sheds light on just what a charlatan joseph smith really was. sorry, mormons.

This book was absolutely amazing and I learned more about the Mormon faith from it than I have learned from any of my Mormon friends. While most Mormon's see this book as an unflattering view of their faith's history, I really took it as a compliment to their passionate dedication to their God and their heritage. I think Krakauer researched this book impeccably and brought a very unbiased view in to some of the more extreme sects of Mormonism. He writes with confidence but also acknowledges there are parts of the story that he can not speak to. All in all a fascinating book that taught me a lot and brought a new appreciation for one of the world's fastest growing religions.

I grew up in Southern Idaho--Mormon country--so I know well much of the landscape covered in this book. Most of the Mormons I know are decent, honest people, but don't kid yourself. As a non-Mormon, if you open a 7/11 in a predominantly Mormon town, you will go broke. Run for a public office against a Mormon candidate and you will lose. The Mormon church dictates to its members with a heavy hand. They take care of their own. Consequently, you won't see any good Mormons on welfare, so it's a mixed bag. In truth, I have no argument with individual Mormons, but with the church as a whole, I have a lot of problems, starting with the hypocrisy of their leaders.

For the person who said this was a harsh look at their history, well, it's a harsh history. Like any religion, they've suppressed things that make them look bad. The early revelations leave a door open for those who are prone to fanaticism to embrace polygamy, which I find in my readings of both the Mormons and the Muslims that this practice creates horrible misery.

That the church allows no question of their authority, no ability to follow your own conscience, is one of the big points, in my mind, that makes them a cult, rather than a religion. That they always look to the book of Mormon for answers before they look to the bible is also a problem I've long had. Since when would the writings of a prophet be a better guide than the words of the one you believe to be God?

One of the things about the edition I read is that the author includes the LDS church's criticism of this book in the back as well as his response, point by point. I found that extremely interesting.

This book is about the violent history of Mormonism but it should be titled UNDER THE BANNER OF STUPIDITY because anyone who believes that this man had a revelation from heaven and had gold tablets given to him and then disappeared has fewer marbles than any human being I know. With all due respect for those who love God and his only son Jesus...WHAT ARE YOU THINKING TO BELIEVE MORMONISM! Unbelievable! Youve got to read this book for the sheer shocking truth behind this pseudo-religion.
What a crock! If you are not religious then I assume the virgin birth seem a bit outlandish but really you dont have an idea what outlandish is until you read what Joseph Smith pulled over the eyes of, forgive me, really stupid people!
And for every man who has practiced Mormonism and plurality of wives and told these young teenage girls that God said they must marry them or be banished to hell, has in my opinion, just sealed their own hellish fate!
Well I thought Id read just about everything but this true story, while well written and I commend the author, this religion takes the audacious and brutal cake of a bizarre faith and twists it around and trys to force us to eat it! I give it a 3 for originality and a 10 for brazen hypocracy and evilness personified.

This book really provides interesting insight into the history of the Mormons and of Mormon Fundmentalists as well as telling the horrifying story of a murder. Really good read!

COULDN'T GET INTO IT,SO GONNA PUT IT BACK OUT THERE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

Fascinating read, appears to be well researched, and very well written. The author tells of the history of Mormonism and interweaves it with a the story of a modern day murder.

Pretty powerful expose on some extreme Mormon sects. Riveting content, written by the same author who wrote, "Into Thin Air", about the ascent of Mt. Everest. Hard book to put down, hard to leave the images behind.

Extraordinarily disturbing book, but one of the most fascinating I've read in a long time!! Everyone NEEDS to read this book!!

I requested this book because I loved Krakauer's "Into Thin Air". I requested this book without knowing the subject matter and as I have a little one of my own, I just don't think I could read about this - as interesting as it might be. Call me a softie.

Really eye-opening book; glad I read it.

Interesting book about Mormonism, some of its splinter groups, and a murder that takes place in 1984, seemingly as a result of some of the beliefs of the church.

A fascinating and disturbing analysis of how polygyny in Mormon subgroups could result in the murder of an innocent woman and baby.

Excellent, chilling portrait of a fundamentalist mormon life.

Enthralling. Unsettling, to be sure, at times, but always extremely educational. This book is NOT about bashing Mormons. This book does, however, explain a lot about the history of the religion's development, in order to explain how the splinter Fundamentalist Mormon groups came about. Fascinating details of early American history covered that I never heard about in any class. I suppose it could be considered a 'true crime' story as well, but I've never read a book in that genre that really brought the story to life as captivatingly as this one did. I thought the author had a great organizational style, in piecing together the flow of facts and stories being revealed. Even if you are not interested in the subject, I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in writing non-fiction for a popular audience.

Good historical research and interesting outlook on the Mormon religion - quite a different Krakauer, but still good.

Jon Krakauer is great to read and pulls no punches in this controversial book.

a wonderful read

interesting 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.

Good book, for those of us that like non-fiction

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.

Krakauer's writing style leaves much to be desired, however the account itself is worth the read.

very interesting,i did'nt know much about mormans or their faith but it was an eye opener.

Jon Krakauer jumps between three different storylines in his Mormon expose, but the book never really gelled for me as a whole. He was at his best exploring Mormonism's checkered past and the tiny Western communities where polygamy still flourishes. He was less convincing in arguing that two chilling murders committed by religious fanatics indicate Mormonism is, at heart, a violent religion.

Wow! A portal to a different world within our own. Krakauer is a master journalist.

This book was very interesting. I learned a lot about the Mormon church. More then I probably ever wanted to know. But, I found it so interesting I have satarted reading about other religion start ups.

Plenty of history on the Mormons. Very interesting.

A bit long but good. Very interesting.

A little hard to get into but when you do, you will read a bone-chilling account of polygamy, violence and unyielding faith of the nature of religious belief.

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