Rating: 
Summary: Undoubtedly too true for the God fearing
Review: I am an individual with solid Mormon ancestry on both sides. I believe that this is first book that seamlessly combines a starkly realistic and accurate account of Mormon history and militant Mormon fundamentalism. In the process, it demonstrates the relationship between the two and exposes the inevitable consequences of strongly held religious beliefs, consequences that are strewn through out history, but are here etched into dramatic relief by a religion conjured up only 170 years ago.
Rating: 
Summary: Depends on what you're looking for
Review: I was surprised to have enjoyed "Under the Banner of Heaven" as it is not my typical pick. I usually enjoy true-crime subject matter, and in this genre, I was pleased with the story and the way it was written. I do, however, have some reluctance to recommend this book as a factual account of Mormonism. I am most suspicious of the generalizations made regarding the various sects of the LDS church and their beliefs. I find the manner in which Jon Krakauer presents this aspect of the book almost inciting and the people with whom he speaks to all be "on one side of the fence" in regards to their take on present of past experiences within the religion.
Rating: 
Summary: rushed to the printer
Review: As a True Crime story Krakauer succeeds in my opinion. He writes a compelling tale. As a reporter, historian and analyst he trips up with a thud. For example: You can read in the book that Porter Rockwell is believed to have made an attempt on the Governor Missouri Boggs life in 1842 but Krakauer says "...Rockwell had no difficulty eluding arrest. Neither he nor any other Saint was ever brought to justice for the deed." page 106
Later in chapter 19 you can read Krakauer's assertion that despite the belief of most credible historians - Mormons rather than Shivwitts Indians were responsible for the 1869 murder of 3 members (Dunn and 2 Howland brothers) of the Wesley Powell expedition party. The most compelling evidence for this assertion Krakauer believes, is that "...nobody attempted to punish the Shivwits who'd allegedly killed Dunn and the Howlands--no real effort was even made to recover their valuable guns, scientific instruments or papers from the Indians."
After reading this last quote on page 244 I wondered -if lack of punishment is evidence for innocence, why doesn't Krakauer apply that same reasoning to Porter Rockwell's alleged attempt on Bogg's life?
But wait -- it turns out that Krakauer got it very wrong on page 106. Rockwell was indeed arrested, but never indicted. Due to lack of evidence, he was eventually released.
This in Missouri where Bogg's had issued an extermination order on all Mormons. An order that wasn't officially removed until about 20 years ago. It would seem that the state of Missouri and Governor Bogg's suddenly became very generous to Mormonfolk. But this is beside my point which is: I would like to see Krakauer come back with an addendum at least, to answer the questions that have been raised concerning his scholarship. Maybe even issue a revised more balanced edition. As it stands, it seems to be akin to the Fox News channel's idea of "fair and balanced" journalism.
Rating:
Summary: What to expect from this wonderful book
Review: I think that what Krakauer set out to do was to examine the lives and beliefs of two fundamentalists, to discuss how fundamentalism breaks away from and distorts the main-stream, and how two once rational people could be so caught up in this type of zealotry that they could commit such a heinous crime without remorse. I believe that Krakauer accomplished these goals with integrity and aplomb. But it seems to me, in reading other reviews, that some people were confused as to what kind of book he was intending to write. It seems clear to me that while this is a scholarly work, it is not an academic work. The lack of constant source citations was not an issue for me because, frankly, I think that they would reduce readability and are unnecessary. This book reads like a newspaper article (sans citations) rather than a journal article (with citations); that shouldn't lead people to impugn it as a work of poor scholarship or research. (God knows what reading the newspaper would be like if journalists had to cite every source in MLA format throughout each article.) I enjoyed the respect with which Krakauer treats his subjects. He presents their point of view without irony or cynicism and allows the reader to make his or her own judgments about what they've said. I was also surprised that some readers seemed to expect a complete history of the Mormon Church. Krakauer makes it clear from the first page and throughout the book that his is a discussion of fundamentalism. He is not writing a complete history or ethnography of Mormonism; he is simply providing the reader with the history relevant to the murders that are at the heart of the narrative. I didn't find his book to be anti-Mormon in any way. He provides sympathetic examples of main-stream Mormons, fundamentalists, apostates from both churches and non-Mormons. He also provides unsympathetic examples of the same. In my opinion, Krakauer's desire is to explore at which exact point religious extremes become criminal. I think that part of understanding the personal histories of the Lafferty Brothers is understanding all of the rumors and contradictions with which they grew up. Krakauer is very careful to indicate which of his versions of historical events is the accepted version and which is the rumored version. I was never under the impression that he hoped that his readers would believe the rumored versions of events (which he always indicates are of dubious documentation) as the gospel truth. I was under the impression that he hoped that his readers would understand that the accepted version of events is not the only story, and that his subjects were aware of these other, rumored histories. His digressions into the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are superbly interwoven with the personal histories and narratives of Ron and Dan Lafferty. He presents a piece of their story and then pauses, steps back, and provides a broader context in which to understand that piece. I didn't open this book expecting an exegesis of past Mormon scholarship. I didn't expect a history of the church. I expected just what the cover of the book promised: the story of two murders in a fundamentalist community and an exploration of the violent history of that community. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed this book so thoroughly. And perhaps false expectations might explain why other readers have been so disappointed. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an in-depth dissection of a crime and the history of the culture that created the criminals. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a LDS party-line indictment of polygamy, an academic history suffering from citation pox, or an anti-Mormon tell-all. Krakauer is an excellent writer and "Under the Banner of Heaven" is an excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: The story
Review: As a non-mormon living in a mormon community in Arizona, Jon Krakauer gives a fascinating history of the LDS and FLDS splinter groups. Many of the chilling beliefs of Ron and Dan Lafferty are still found in the mainline church today. For instance, the plural marriages that the FLDS enspouses are still found in the Book of Mormon today, only the marriages happen in heaven. Again the mormons in the elected position in the Utah and Arizona governments annual block any attempt to clean up the Colorado City mess. In conclusion, many of the LDS belief are going to hate this book, but if one has an open mind this is a well written book that must be read carefully. Compare what you learn in this book against the wholesome ads the mormons put on television.
Rating:
Summary: Under the Banner of Sex
Review: Being from a "mixed marriage," (my Mother was Presbyterian, my Father, Mormon), it was with great anticipation that I bought "Under the Banner of Heaven." I learned much more about Mormonism than I had in years of listening to the paternal side of my family or reading "The Book of Mormon." My Mother referred to Mormonism as that "crackpot religion," and refused to let me be brought up a Mormon, which caused no end of problems with her in-laws. Personally, I've never been able to understand how Mormons can consider Joseph Smith a prophet who handed down these laws while he continued to bed and marry girls as young as 14. And how any free-thinking woman could accept polygamy is beyond me! The crimes of Dan and Ron Lafferty, who cut the throats of their sister-in-law and baby niece, are merely the subplot in this engrossing book. The Latter Day Saints Church is the protagonist. "Saints" don't like this book, and for good reason. Understanding what the religion is all about makes it even scarier that this is the fastest growing religion in the world. "Under the Banner of Heaven" is an absorbing book that I won't soon forget.
Rating:
Summary: banner of heaven
Review: this is another spellbinding work by krakauer. he uses a murder committed by mormon fundamentalists as a focal point for exploring the history of religion in america and the tensions it creates in our pluralistic society. predictably (and sadly), the official response of the LDS church as well as many mormons has been to take offense at this book because it highlights serious issues the LDS movement and mormons have had throughout their history. some of these issues, in addition to polygamy, include: 1) the notion that joseph smith (founder of the mormon religion) was a religious charlatan who "invented" his revelations from God to serve his own purposes, 2) the notion that the laws/stipulations of mormonism supercede the laws of the U.S.A., and 3) the dynamic created by the notion that mormonism is the one "true" religion. Obviously, issues such as these have existed for many other religions throughout history, as well. finally, he again shows that while religion can be a source of tremendous personal comfort and strength, when used as a basis or excuse for political or social action, it has often been a destructive and divisive force throughout history. this is particularly important to address in our pluralistic american society.
Rating:
Summary: Hmmmm
Review: Reading this book was a lot like watching the television show on FOX "The OC." A new television show that is about high-school kids and there parents living in "Orange County" California. Being from Orange County, you watch the story unfold you recognize that they are actually filming in "Los Angeles" County (Redondo Beach,) and that the characterizations of people, and places aren't quite on the spot. The TV show is very entertaining, and I look forward to watching next week. People who are not familiar with "Orange County" and Southern California in general might get wrong impressions, if they dont realize its just a television show. Overall, a very good read, sheds some light onto some very interesting topics and areas, but I would recommend researching more if you are looking for something more quantitative. Redondo Beach is not Orange County, but if your from the east coast it might seem to be close enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the Best Krakauer, but Worth the Read
Review: After reading Into the Wild and Into Thin Air, I was on edge, waiting for this one to be released. I was not disappointed, although this book did not hold me like the previous two did. Rather than focusing on the murders, it rather became a historical rendition of Mormonism and the Fundamentalists that arose from the Mormon ranks. The information was detailed, informative, and at times, surprising and unbelievable, but the story of the crime itself gets buried in the textbook-like history. I would recommend this book to others, but caution that the book is not exactly as it is advertised. It will not keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat as his previous works did, but it shows an unbiased, true to life picture of religion and the consequences that can arise from the fanatics that are a part of every group we have.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Interesting!!!!!
Review: As a non-mormon living in Utah, this book really hit home for me. I have educated myself on the beliefs and teachings of the LDS church, and my girlfriend is a former member. The book is not riddled with errors as many want to believe (maybe a few misworded phrases, which do not take from the overall message). The book provides a great, albeit breif, history of the church. Anyone who has spent much time in Utah can't help but notice the total power the LDS church has over everything. This book provides reasons, through the history, of why the LDS church has been so very successful. The book also explains why there are many offshoots of the mainstream LDS church, and the problems that may occur when 'prophets' and 'revelations' are involved. I recommend this book for everyone, especially LDS members. The book is not anti-mormon so there is no reason why a devout Mormon can't read the book with an open attitude.
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