Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: I've waited 5 long days to write this. Had to finish the book first. Has Krakauer captured the roots of the LDS religion or the current LDS religion today? Hard to say. Many mainstream Mormons I'm sure would say no. I don't think that was his goal though. Krakauer loves the US West and he is a great Western/adventure writer. He is clearly one of the heir apparents to the great Wallace Stegner tradidtion, whom he has quoted liberally. The stories of Western expansion and of LDS history are inextricabley tangled. Both are bloody and bizarre. Krakauer seems to delight in this and wants to rub our noses or at least educate us in the history of our country's expansion, many of which I was ignorant of. I feel like i've just returned from a tour of the old and new west (albeit a bloody and bizarre one) after reading this. Furthermore, he seems to know and acknowledge that there is no such thing as "objectivity" in history or in writing, so he told the story as best he could. What strikes me as inaccurate are the many complaints that he is sloppy or incomplete in his research. As the book moves along, I find myself impressed with the sources and facts he did dig up. What many people seem to object to is his juxtaposition of those facts and sources. But I think that is the author's privledge based on the story he sees. His telling of the pro and con legal arguments of the insanity defense at Ron's second trial was espesically interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: Under the banner of heaven
Review: Regardless of religion, these are bad people, the Laffery Brothers. Jon Krakauer has used his skills as a writer to paint a picture of the United States not often seen.While we worry about other fundamentalist in the world we allow these people to break our laws, hurt others, lie, and do all those things we blame terriorists for. Readers will find their faith challenged and wonder where the laws of the United States are in Utah and Arizona are enforced. A read for all those who want to be informed
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: Jon Krakauer has long been a literary hero of mine. I have found his story telling technique to be poignantly revealing of both the beauty and horror of the human condition.
This book reads incredibly well and weaves the stupefying history of the latter day saints with the horrifying murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. Ultimately, Krakauer makes the tacit polemic that the legacy of the LDS church, which is replete with both violence and polygamy, should not be underestimated when trying to understand the motives of the murderers; Ron and Don Lafferty. Although the LDS church is quick to distance itself from fundamentalist Mormon groups, which happily embrace polygamy, the history is undeniable. Both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, were devout polygamists, and believed polygamy to be among the most sacred of God's commandments. Many from the LDS church (and reviewers on this site) decry the book as being one-sided. It most certainly is not. Rather ironically, it seems that the ruling patriarchy of the church is the one in fact that is bent on presenting a dubiously researched and one-sided view of its history. To be sure, Krakauer treats all parties mentioned in the book with respect and dignity, remaining an objective narrator throughout the text. This is definitely a recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: Dark side of religion or of man?
Review: It is not an easy read. No, it is not a difficult book technically, but it deals with fanaticism so intense and so perverse that makes one wonder of what darkness humans are capable. As a Christian pastor this book particularly interested me. Mormonism has always intrigued me especially in their recent attempts to portray themselves within the mainstream of Christian thought. As the book clearly demonstrates, they have unique teachings and beliefs that separate them widely from biblical Christianity. The book itself is wonderful and I highly recommend it. But as a pastor, I would like to take issue with two statements the author makes. In doing so, I hope I am not straining at theological nats, rather, I hope my comments transcend theology to the very nature of man. The author states that Under the Banner of Heaven is a look at the dark side of religion. He goes on to mention that all faiths, Moslem, Hindu, Buddhist as well as main stream Christianity have a dark side, that if not kept under control is capable of great barbarism and cruelty. Any student of history can attest to this, my objection, however, is that the problem is not a dark side of religion, but the dark side of man. Man, himself, is capable of great cruelty. Yes, man has used religion to justify genocide, but one cannot jump to the conclusion that it is the religion that compels man to violence. Religion is merely the tool that man uses to justify his cruelty. Since the French revolution, modern man has the tendency to reject religion as superstition (the opiate of the people) and has deified reason and science as the new gods. Modern man believes that the answer to lifes ultimate questions can be found in technology and science. The only problem is, that science and technology has not brought about the utopian society that Western man has hoped for, instead, it has brought barbarism and death on a scale undreamed of in centuries past. In the twentieth century alone, millions upon millions have perished on the altar of the dialectical materialism of Karl Marx and the National Socialism of Hitler and his ilk. It is not the dark side of religion that drives man to barbarism; it is the dark side of man. Perhaps this phenomenon can be described by the word- idealism. The idealist believes that he has the answer for what troubles man, i.e., religion, communism, National Socialism, environmentalism, etc., and will stop at nothing, even the destruction of property and murder to bring about his utopian paradise. In killing, he thinks he is saving. In destroying, he thinks he is building. My second observation is that faith and reason are not as diametrically opposed as the author repeated infers. Yes, one cannot reasonably believe the history of the early Americas, as set forth in the book of Mormon- there simply is not one scintilla of evidence to support it as the author demonstrated. No wonder in the front plate of every Book of the Mormon published there is an appeal to the burning in the bosom as evidence that the book if true. The New Testament authors, however, never use such subjective criterion when they attempt to persuade their audiences of the truthfulness of the resurrection of Jesus- they always appeal to the witnesses who saw the risen Christ and who ate and drank with him after he was raised from the dead. Yes, the Christian believer must accept the resurrection of Christ by faith, but it is a faith that is based on reasonable evidence, the testimony of witnesses who ate and drank with the risen Christ. Sorry for the sermon, I just could not help myself. Now back to the book- read it. It will give you insight to the Mormon Church as well as the dark side of man.
Rating: 
Summary: A hodge podge of gruesome stories. Waste of time.
Review: The historical information is grossly inaccurate. Not a single footnote on numerous items completely out of step with all the professional historical work on the subject, but stated as facts. The narrative jumps back and forth to different stories and centuries with no apparent logic or flow. excessively lurid details of the murders. He is apparently trying to say religion causes violence, but never compares the quantity of religious violence vs violence caused by other things. His argument is absurd and not at all supported by this book.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone needs to read this book.
Review: Where to begin? One could focus on the the horrific murders themselves; or, the mind-bogglingly illogical beliefs of Mormondom (Garden of Eden in Missouri?!?); or the blatant short-coming of the so-called prophets (J. Smith was a sex-addict who simply wanted to side-step guilt over bedding 40+ women and silence his outraged wife by telling her it was a revelation, and more, that only men pay partake...Puh-leeze!); or how about those golden plates and the 'fact' that 500 years before Christ caucasians lived in North America AND the 'bad' ones had their skin turned brown by a displeased god (Hello? Is no one out there as offended by this as I am? Is no one else going to raise their voice in protest of the RACIST roots of this so-called religion??? "Blacks are God's most intelligent animals, for they have the gift of speech, but are beasts that belong in the fields" (I'm paraphrasing) This religion can be discredited on so many fronts, and while the fundamentalists are the nuttiest of the lot, mainstream Mormons really need to examine the roots of their history, ask themselves some basic questions and use a touch of logic. Faith might be a fine thing, but at what point does one draw the line? Most disturbing for me is the fact that girls are still being forced into plural marriages at tender ages of 13, 14, 15...how is this ok? Are we saying, as a society, that a girl of 13 has enough knowledge and wisdom for sexual consent? If so, then our nation's laws about sex with minors need a dramatic overhaul. If not, then those who perpetrate such atrocities need to go to prison. Those fundamentalists who claim it is religious freedom are mistaken in one very important aspect: these girls are not old enough and know NOTHING of the world beyond their proected boundaries to make a choice. Absent of choice, how can this be called freedom, religious or otherwise? Seems to me the fundamentalist mormons are trying to build a man's heaven: endless young nubile girls with whom to have sex, to wait on him, be subservient, uneducated and utterly dependent. Practice your religious freedom if you must, but stop taking ignorant girls straight from the cradle and claiming it's God's will--educated them, let them see the world, let them evaluate their choice, and THEN, give them the 'freedom' to chose that way of life. I ask law enforcement of Utah, Arizona, British columbia and other places to do their job and put those who rape and coerce young girls into sexual submission into jail NOW. It isn't just a spot on your history, mormons, it is happening now.
Rating:
Summary: A balanced view of a tragic event
Review: This is a balanced view of a tragic event - how often we forget that all religions have violence in them, even though the founders were against it (take the opposition of Jesus to violence, on which he was very clear, and contrast that to the murderous Crusades when professing Christians ignored everything that Christ taught....) A sober book upon which we ought all therefore to reflect CHRISTOPHER CATHERWOOD, author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)
Rating:
Summary: were a Mormon for most of my life until I escaped the cult t
Review: I was forced into Mormonism as a young child and it took to mid life to get out of this cult. My great grandfather, Hatch family name was a polygamist. My great grandmother was Native American and his wives and children were used teribly by him. Until adult like I was shown and TOLD he was married only 3x. When I did my own search it was 5 times. He had 30 children, not only 13. He married the last wife when she was 15, he was 57 and escaped to Mex to avoid jail when polygamy was outlawed. I have never had regrets about leaving. It was difficult, my father was a bishop who sexually abused me. My mother died when I was born and thank God my mother's parents kept me from him until I was 10. That was the end of my childhood with his second wife and their daughter. It was horrible, I am 74 now so you know there was no one to help me out of it. I was brainwashed for many years by this cult. Thank God for Karkhour and his boo, Fawn Brodie and others who helped me get the courage to leave. I am grateful to Krakour for doing this book of truth as far as I am concerned. We still must be wary of the mormon cult in todays world. The Smart case is typical of abuses still going on and secret temple marriages so the priesthood can gain more wives even in death. I was married in the Oakland temple, I KNOW by experience lots that goes on in the temples that our society would find shocking even in these times. I hope the general public will realize the murders, tortures, horrible crimes against women perpetuated to this day within the Mprmon church, and not only the fundamental Mormons. I know this for fact and the sexual abuse is rampant and current pres. Hinkley, complains about the court costs, never mind the abused and damaged children. Sexual abuse is a lifetime scar that never leaves because I know having lived it. Do not be fooled that this a made up story,
it is my life. The current spousal abuse is worse than any other group because women are told to "obey the priesthood under all circumstances. Believe me I know because I lived that too and no help from the church in either
instance. I was told to go home and pray and read the scriptures when there was physical, mental, spiritual abuse and the emotional abuse will never leave me being. I did not tell until I was an adult and that is why I call it a cult, there
is no recourse and leaders hold extreme power. If any member disagrees with the priesthood they are threatened with dis fellowhsip, shunning and ex communication and that was the threat to me as well, for tellling truths. I have no regrests for leaving this cult and thankful for this book to add to my collection of Mormon atrocities over the years. I thank Krakour for his research and believe it totally. Thank God for authors who write facts and make awareness their goal. I am grateful forever for those who helped me get the courage to leave the Mormon church.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for every American--and every Mormon
Review: As an individual raised in the Mormon church who was repeatedly exposed to various Fundamentalist groups operating in and out of the mainstream LDS church I found this book to be invaluable and deeply vindicating. Mormons are wonderful people with a strong and deep committment to the universal ideals of Christianity. However, they are often reluctant to be self-critical, especially about the more controversial aspects of our history. The reason Fundamentalist groups have continuously splintered from the mainstream LDS church is the simple fact (as beautifully illustrated by Krakauer) that the modern LDS church bears little resemblance to it's radical, theocratic and chaotic origins. This fact should be embraced and celebrated by mainstream Mormons, not rejected and villified. The mainstream church was wise and prescient to change it's position on many of the controversial teachings of it's early leaders. Just as most modern Christian faiths have done to balance their responsibility to society and the spiritual needs of it's members. The goal of the Fundamentalists is to return the mainstream church to it's less than noble roots. This is why they are successful at recruiting otherwise devout Saints into their ranks. They preach a twisted, politicized, radical doctrine which (contrary to the vehement protestations of Mormons) are entirely consistent with many of the less-known but nevertheless regretably true ideas of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and others. It is this literalist interpretation, along with the mindset that all things must remain unchanged no matter how much society and the role of the church has changed, that breeds Fundamentalism. If Mormons want to rid themselves of these parasites and malcontents, they need to come to terms with the realities of early Church history and the necessary evolution of the faith from those early years. Just as devout Muslims have watched in horror as their faith has been infested and bastardized by Fundamentalist parasites who would return Islam to the decadence of some of it's early leaders, Mormons must recognize that these groups are trying to do the same with their beloved Church. Just as Christian Terrorists like The Army of God have done it to other Protestant Faiths. Its time to recognize Fundamentalism for what it is. Part of that realization is recognizing the ugly aspects of our past and present. Fundamentalism has no place in Mormonism nor any other religious faith. It is an afront that must be vigorously opposed and clearly identified. That cannot happen if Mormons continue to refuse to recognize scandals of the past nor the coddling of such groups in the present. Even as we speak, I know young men and women in the mainstream Chruch who are being preyed upon by Fundamentalist groups. This is not fiction, it is a dire warning to be heeded.
Rating:
Summary: Well Researched and a BIG Eye-Opener!
Review: Pandora's box anyone? This book is not for the faint of heart, nor for the closed-minded. Everyone has a past, and no matter how hard a society tries, it re-surfaces on occasion. This is such an occasion, albeit a bloody and violent one. As to the comments about the Mormon faith claiming to end polygamy when Utah wanted statehood, that IS mentioned in the book. However, history has proven otherwise, and providing you read the book, you will also find that its practice was continued for some time afterward "in the name of God." I had no idea the early Mormon leaders had taken 13-year-olds to be multiple wives just a bit over 100 years ago (which is recorded fact, even within the Mormon church). I learned this and a great deal more about Mormons, fundamentalists, and fanaticism in general. For those who wish to understand BOTH sides of Mormon history, this book is for you. For those who wish only to hear the good things to be said about Mormon history, and that they did nothing to provoke anyone, this book will open your eyes, provided you read it.
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