Under the Banner of Heaven

Rating:
Summary: Will be Debated For A Long Time
Review: A great story that is sure to excite religious emotions whether good or bad.
If we can somehow forget our personal views about Mormonism and just stick with a review of the book, we will all be much better for it.
Once you pick up and begin reading 'Under The Banner Of Heaven' it is awefully hard to put the novel down! It is a brillantly written book. It grabs you from page one and doesn't let go. Two Ultra Fundamentalist Mormons whose particular sect has been exconmunicated from the mainline Mormon church suddenly receive their marching orders. God has somehow decided that these two individuals are His divine Hands to kill. To kill a woman, (and her child) who dares to speak up and disagree with their religious standards. Through fasinating personal interviews with the killers, the author gives frightening insight into the demonic nature of religion gone bad via zealots who have about as much true spiritual knowledge as a hockey puck!
Krakauer has a wonderful gift in weaving the documented history of the beginnings of Mormonism, the on-going plans of the two Mormons, their religious upbringing and plans for murder.
Here is where the furor specific to the book begins. Probably in some ways not unlike what we are now experiencing with the Mel Gibson production, 'The Passion of Christ.' People allow their religious viewpoints to have an impact on their personal review of the book. If they support Mormonism, this book is akin to being authored by Satan himself. If the reviewer disagrees with Mormon doctrine, then Krakauer must have been divinely inspired to write Under the Banner of Heaven. But whatever problems you have with the documented facts Krakauer writes in his novel, then prove him wrong! Do the research such as he has performed and then write your book if you find his writing flawed. Just don't use this opportunity to propogate your religious beliefs without a full reading of the novel, your own personal Mormon readings and historical, documented research. A biased mind doesn't understand or desire truth.

Rating:
Summary: Tremendously good read... gripping throughout!
Review: The brutal murders of Brenda Lafferty and her infant daughter by Ron and Dan Lafferty are at the center of this examination of Mormon fundamentalism. If your only exposure to the writing of John Krakauer has been his personal account of an ill-fated Mount Everest expedition (Into Thin Air), you'll be pleased to discover that his abilities as a writer stretch much further than the first person narrative. Under the Banner of Heaven is an engrossing inspection of religious zealotry focusing on Ron and Dan Lafferty, two Mormon fundamentalists who carried out the murders based upon what they believe were instructions from God.

Krakauer augments his story with a basic history of Mormonism that does well to explain it's growth from inception to a religion of prominence in less than two centuries. At the same time, he shines a perceptive light on some of the idiosyncrasies within Mormon theology that may have contributed to the existence of fundamentalist splinter movements promoting polygamy, misogyny and pedophilia. There are plenty of simple questions, none of which are met with clear or straightforward answers. Did the oppression of the early Mormons lead to the development of a subculture of violence in later years? Was Joseph Smith a prophet, charlatan or religious genius? And what of the other self-proclaimed prophets, have they truly received revelations from God, are they delusional or mentally ill?

One interesting facet of Krakauer's writing here is that he forgoes an aggressively journalistic style of writing in favor of a more direct approach. By that I mean that he doesn't qualify pieces of narrative by writing that Ron Lafferty "allegedly" or "might" have received a revelation, he simply writes that "God spoke to Ron." That might foster disagreement with those of us who might question whether or not Lafferty is a creative liar or some form of schizophrenic, however it makes for a much lucid read; and in any case, Krakauer seems more interested in offering enough evidence to allow the reader to reach their own conclusions within the context of their personal faith.

I learned a great deal from this book. Compared to other religions, Mormonism is a relative newcomer with its inception in the 1820's. The history of how this religion has grown and sprouted splinter movements of its own is fascinating. It's these offshoots that have become the most problematic for mainstream Mormons, sowing the seeds for the Lafferty murders, along with the more recent kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart.

With this effort, John Krakauer (an agnostic) has produced a fascinating work of history, crime, psychology and theological discussion that will affect you in one way or another.

Rating:
Summary: A Brief History of the Mormons
Review: I read this book knowing nothing about the controversy surrounding it. I enjoyed it, as have enjoyed other titles by Jon Krakauer, as mostly-non-fiction stories. Not that the author deliberately tells lies or half-truths, but that he injects his own personal beliefs and views strongly into his works. Since he doesn't claim to be a historian I have no problem with this. I will go look for verification or other opinions if I need a broader view of the given issue
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That being said I highly recommend this fascinating blend of True Crime + A Brief History of the Mormons as a book that you will want to finish in one sitting. As well as a work that will make you think and want to talk about afterwards. As a reader of much of today's popular writing, this is a welcome change

Rating:
Summary: Stunning and well written
Review: This book should send chills up your back. It is a look into the Mormon Chruch and the way it was in the early 1800's. Nothing should set your rage more than reading of Joe Smith's escapades with very young women and the final arrival of the brutal Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley.

Historic and well researched, it brings out the what really happened and not what is in the Utah History textbooks.

Under the banner of Heaven, anything is ok and anything is possible.

Rating:
Summary: Well written, unbiased, factual and engaging
Review: I think that this book was very well written. It opens in an unbiased manner and continues to be so throughout the book. I had never been given factual information on the Mormon religion, so this book was very engaging. It tells of the history and customs of the Mormon faith, as well as many true stories about people who practice it. It makes a distinction early on that only a very, very small portion of the people who practice the Mormon religion are the Fundamentalists, or extremists. I appreciated this clarification. The majority of Mormons are peaceful, loving people who are our good friends, neighbors and family members. Their religion is just like any other religion. It is the Fundamentalist Mormon religion that practices plural marriage and other things that I can comfortably call "extreme". This book is a combination of the history of all Mormon religions and the doings of the present day Fundamentalist Mormon Church. I am also comfortable saying that the things the author tells about the Fundamentalist Mormon Church are shocking and appalling. I can't believe that it actually goes on today.

There is no doubt that Jon Krakauer's research was extensive, and I believe what he tells to be totally factual. If you are looking for history and an understanding of the Mormon religion, then this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: an excellent book
Review: I loved this book. I am Mormon and was not offended at all by what Jon Krakauer has to say. Other critics have claimed that this is an attack against the Mormon religion. Most Mormons think that if a book isn't written praising them and how great they are that is an attack and unfair. This may be the books biggest stumbling block to a Mormon audience. They typically label anything written about them, not written by them as Anti-Mormon. The most unfortunate thing about that is that they would probably get more out of this than the average reader. @ any rate, the book was well written and informative. It treats the issues and peoples at hand with respect and in a fair manner. I have recommended this to almost everyone I know. It is an interesting and fair look @ the origins of Mormonism and how it relates to not only the mainstream Mormon Church but to splinter and fundamentalist groups as well.

Rating:
Summary: More to do with "Frontier" mentality than with religion
Review: Wow: the number of reviews of this book, and the ponderous length of some of them! There doesn't seem to be one last, single thing left to be said about the book, the author, or the Mormon Church. The only thing I'll try to add is that the book probably says more about the personality of those who participated in "the taming of the West" than it does about religion. Moving ever-westward and leaving behind the old for the new was bound to eventually produce something like the Church of the Latter Day Saints here in America. Otherwise, what most people may not know is how intolerant the Mormon Church is of things not specified in its dogma. While Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam are all anti-gay, for example, the Mormon Church is chillingly so. (This particularly odd, since the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City looks like nothing less than the Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz; I'm serious.) Orthodoxy breeds intolerance, intolerance breeds hatred: why are we ever surprised when religious zealotry leads to murder?

Rating:
Summary: Do you see yourself?
Review: Krakauer scores again. Brilliant stuff.

Krakauer does an extraordinary job of detailing the nitty gritty facts behind the 2 central murders of the story; behind the development of the murderers' increasingly fundamentalist world view; and of providing solid background on Mormon history in general. He develops some pretty convincing cause and effect inferences for the reader to follow.

In spite of other reviews focusing on the right/wrong interpretation of Mormonism, I believe the central purpose of this book is to hold a mirror up to believers of all stripes to ask them, "Can you see how remarkably close you are to these people? Can you see how your faith is another's delusion, and vice versa?" Can you see how blind faith doesn't only lead "others" to commit heinous acts, like the Twin Towers' destruction?

Krakauer's concluding comments that he began writing this book as an inquiry into the power of religious belief supports my interpretation. Krakauer very eloquently, and diplomatically, recognized that holding up this mirror could be the death knell for his book... so he has decorated this soul-searching motive with 300 + pages of riveting non-fiction.

The "characters" of the book can't extract themselves from their self-feeding delusional "revelations" and they spiral away from rational thought. Can you break the cycle in your irrational thoughts? Can you acknowledge them?

Or will you, too, escalate a war of us/them value judgments based on slipshod theology... and what actions against others will YOUR religious views inspire?

Rating:
Summary: A Blockbuster of A Story!
Review: I was on a two week vacation in Phoenix, Arizona when I stopped in a Barnes and Nobles Bookstore to get out of the record 116 degree heat. 'Under The Banner of Heaven' was placed on the featured book display and was a novel concerning murders influenced by radical religious beliefs. Being that Phoenix does have a good numbered of LDS buildings, I thought I would take a few minutes to read what the author had to say. Two hours later I ceased reading and purchased the book so I could continue on with my vacation.
Jon Krakauer is not a Mormon or someone who seems to have any strong religious opinions concerning Christianity. In fact, he seems to be a religious sceptic. Mr. Krakauer is someone who simply wanted to write the truth about the murders and give 'strong documented' history on Mormonism.
It is clearly evident that today's Ultra Fundamental Mormons are not accepted by the current Mormon faith based on the writings of this novel. Yet it is extremely interesting to see how many of the current Mormon beliefs have changed over and over again. Most mainline Mormons, if they investigated their history as Krakauer has, would find that they follow a religion where some of their major doctrines have been completely disinheirted by the church and or reinterpreted in such a way that Joseph Smith never intended. That most Mormons have no real understanding specific to the life of Joseph Smith as to how his revelations, (which are Mormon doctrine) were conjured up by himself and not God inspired.
The author does an excellent job of weaving past and current history together so that the reader is able to follow the purpose for the book.

Rating:
Summary: Blood Atonement and Celestial Marriage
Review: This book dwells on Mormon history and their Fundamentalists' believe in blood atonement, celestial marriage, divine revelations and their sometimes bizarre tenets.
To read about massacres committed by Mormons in Utah on fellow Americans, like the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 160 men, women and youth, robbing them of their riches and then make the Paiute Indians their scapegoats is quite appalling. "Celestial marriage" is another subject described in this book, even though the pragmatic reason for polygamy (for instance in Islam due to the high death toll of men during wars), especially a celestial reason for old goatherds - in Mormon language titled Saints - lusting for and subduing 13 year old girls in the name of God Almighty and his prophets, is not made clear. In this connection light is shed on the motive behind the abduction of Elisabeth Smart by the Saint Immanuel.
After 17 years being condemned to death row, Ron Lafferty, who murdered his sister in law and her infant, is retried fearing that he was mentally incompetent to stand trial in the first place, and to determine whether he was and is crazy or sane according to accepted legal criteria. The psychological evaluation is an interesting read whether there is a difference between religious fanaticism, narcissism, and mental illness.
There are stretches of boredom in this book, but then Mr. Krakauer picks up the thread again and more information about what goes on under the "Banner of Heaven" takes on "enlightening" aspects for the reader.