Rating: 
Summary: Under the Banner of Heaven
Review: This is a wonderfully written book about religious extremism. Jon Krakauer researches the Mormon fundamentalist sect of the LDS church. The author keeps it real and allows you to make your own determinations. Krakauer gets better with each book he writes. This is a must read for anyone.
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Summary: Descent from Everest to the depths of Mormon fundamentalism
Review: Taking off from the true story of Mormon fundamentalist brothers who murdered in the name of divine revelation, Krakauer delves into the depths of radical Mormon sects with diabolical leaders, all in the name of True Faith. He goes all the way back to Joseph Smith's violent journey to Utah where, no surprise, he receives a message from on high that bigamy is just fine with God. Krakauer's ability as a writer to render the story right up front and in your face with superb dialogue and scene setting makes for a compelling read. The recent kidnapping, brainwashing, and sexual abuse of Elizabeth Smart fed in a timely way into this books publication release.
One thing for sure: Krakauer knows how to hold our attention.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary book
Review: Meticulous research and flowing narrative combine to make an unusually informative, lucid, and gripping story of the violent origins and destructive character of an extreme faith. Krakauer's mix of history, geography, sociology, and psychology creates a broad and deep picture of how a fanatical religion can continue to exist within American culture. The story could easily have been about another culture and another religion but, by describing what occurs within our own borders amongst our fellow Americans, Krakauer reminds us that extreme religious beliefs share similar characteristics, no matter who holds them, no matter where they are located, no matter what they are called. This is a book that reads like a suspense novel but educates with the knowledge of the most scholarly tomes. Once you begin, you will find it almost impossible to stop until you reach the end.
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Summary: A Story of no Faith
Review: The book starts out telling the truth about some Mormon history.
As the book progresses he quotes others and their disgust of religion,which many of us hate also hate.
The replacement of gods best for us and mans best for us is unacceptable. He then leans on to a tree of knowledge, mans great wisdom. Later his attack on christianity and all those beliefs (except for giving us the modern day calendar) leaves you spinning. At the end of the book HIS truths come forth........they are....no hopes, worthy faiths, nothing except his wisdom and the culture he accepts.
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Summary: Not as well researched as some reviews claim
Review: I read this book and found the interviews with Dan Lafferty very interesting and chilling. However, as an in-active member (no love lost there) of the LDS Church and someone with family history in the church dating back to it's origins, I know some of the details of the early church given in this book to be incorrect. I have to question how carefully researched the rest of the information has been.
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Summary: Well researched, compassionate and insightful
Review: I am a big Jon Krakauer fan, and when this book came out, I thought it was odd that an adventure writer chose to take on religious subject manner. Throughout the book, I felt Mr. Krakauer demonstrated his talent for objectivity, especially considering the brutal nature of this material. The book was not only a good history lesson of the Mormon faith, but was also a revealing look at the extremes that religions can go to.
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Summary: Soapbox material
Review: This is an intelligent author who writes with clarity, can tell a good story and pays attention to the details. However, he beats the reader up with his opinion of religion, not even slightly between the lines. Clearly he thinks that religious faith is about as intelligent as believing in Santa Claus but is considerably more destructive, or potentially destructive. Sure he has a right to his opinion and even has a right to compose a book on the subject. I resent however that he attempts to disguise this opinion in the cloak of journalism. Interesting that he chose Mormonism as his example and only briefly refers to "Evangelical Christians" and Catholics. I think he must have recognized that if he went after faith, rather than a cultic tragedy he would not have sold books and would have alienated too many people. It is too bad that an author capable of solid journalism stoops to such tactics.
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Summary: The Cult of Latter Day Loonies
Review: This book is perfection from start to finish, and highly educational. If you ever wanted to know how dangerous some religious cults are and what their twisted belief systems can bring about, then read this book. What you are about to read is not what the author intended or was trying to convey in his book, it's what I believe. The mormon religion is the fasttest (and most dangerous) growing religion in the world it is estimated that by the year 2080 it will be the 3rd largest, what a truely frightening future(and vision)this world has in store for it.(Thank God! I'll be in heaven by then). A world where men belittle their women making them subserviant, uneducated, pregnant slaves(not that it's a bad thing) to be used at their whim. The Mormon Church accumulate's wealth at an enormous and alarming rate! money buys Power! and they're using it to bribe senators and congressmen to influence or pass whatever agenda or bill they think best represents their incondite belief system. They should rename their cult "The Church of Divine Profit" because that seems to be the driving force behind it. "You too can live the way of the self righteous! just send $29.95 and we will send you a heart". What I find particularly frightening is there never seems to be a shortage of poor, lonely village idiots who want to belong to any club, regardless of how misguided or depraved. Most fools believe they're so important they belong in a better place when they die. Personally, If I were GAAAWWWDDDD; I wouldn't even bother with the human animal(I'd wonder where this virus came from) I'd pitch all of you kicking and screaming into the fiery pits of hell and start all over again. This time I would add a smaller brain that works on the fundamentals of love, acceptance and understanding(I thought that's what religion was about...HMMM?) instead of ingnorance,intollerance,hatred and wealth. This is what religion all boils down to...FEAR OF DEATH! Enough... READ THIS BOOK you won't regret it and I may even let you in heaven. XXXOOO
Rating: 
Summary: Thorough, but ultimately disappointing.
Review: I must say that I read this book because I have enjoyed Krakauer's other books. I found this dense, and at times repetitive. To me it was not as interesting, nor as readable, as his adventure books. That said, I admire what he has done to a large degree. The book is well researched and well written. I believe that the author tried to present an objective work, because he has lifelong friends who are Mormons and admires their rectitude, as he states in his notes. But as presented, the work does much to condemn Mormon Fundamentalism without saying so outright. If you like dense tomes dealing with religious history and extremism this book is for you, but if you don't, I recommend that you skip this one.
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Summary: you might want to reread this book
Review: I'm afraid that in their glee at finding a seemingly lucid unflattering investigation of Mormonism that some reviewers here have completely missed Krakauer's point; which is that anyone who participates in a religion is irrational, the extent of their delusion based on the degree of their orthodoxy.This really is an overlong essay, based heavily on anecdotal evidence. Researched using similar tools as in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, although better written without the artifice of a silly fictious adventure. Indeed, Krakauer has constructed his thesis by suspending a block in mid air then attempting to support it by adding more air. If you look closely at the origins of any religion you will find serious questions. So what? Just because mom was pregnant when she and dad tied the knot, does that make them less married? Krakauer is an agnostic. He doesn't think Mormonism is any less valid than Islam. He thinks that all religion is bogus. If he had lived next door to Methodists growing up, his thesis would have not changed much, only the cast of characters.
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