Rating: 
Summary: Been there...read that...
Review: As a fan of Jon Krakauer's previous books, and as someone very interested in Mormon history and polygamy, I have to say that I found this book basically...well, a bore. I was hoping to learn something new and this book was nothing more than a summarization of numerous other books and magazine/news articles. I also felt strongly that this book lacked a sense of direction. Was it about Mormon history, the contemporary Mormon church, or polygamy? I hoped it would be about polygamy, the Lafferty's, and life in Colorado City (now that would be a great book), but those chapters were incredibly superficial and short. The chapters about Mormon history and the contemporary church have all been done before! I would say, if you've never read anything about Mormons, pick up this book--you'll most likely find it interesting. If you've read more than 1 or 2 books on the topic, save your money, you've already read it.
Rating: 
Summary: That nebulous area that lies between church and state
Review: My definition of a great book is one that keeps my mind racing with internal discussions and searching both during and after reading the book. "Under the Banner of Heaven" meets that definition. The Mormon religion has long been a fascination to me for the same reason many have been drawn into it; it is new, local, and has a history that is well documented by those who lived it. Judging from the reviews, there are some that picked up this book to read a true crime drama. Luckily, that was not my motivation. I am an American history buff and one who is fascinated with religion. This was right down my alley. But I was also intrigued with the examination of that nebulous area that lies between church and state. I hope Mr. Krakauer goes on to write the book he originally intended to write; the history of the LDS Church and how it reconciles "scientific and historical truth with religious doctrine".
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome read
Review: I wasn't much aware of the "ins and outs" of the Mormon religion so I must admit, this was not a flattering first look at the religion. However, I found the book to be very compelling and I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed how the story interwove the history of Mormon roots with the present day murders of the young wife and her baby. I must admit, I did tend to get lost because it seemed that so many of the people in the book were married to someone related to someone who was married to someone else (Confused? What until you try and figure out the family tree of someone who has 56 wives and 75 kids). Re-reading many passages was a must just so I could keep everyone straight. Again, not a flattering look at the Mormon religion but a good read about cults, religious fervor, and polygramy.
Rating: 
Summary: waste of time!!!
Review: this book told a good story, but i think he was just trying to get out of trouble! don't judge all mormons by one idiot! all my friends are mormons and are awesome! just cause one does something dumb, doesn't mean they all are stupid. what religion are most murders anyway?? i guarante they are not mormons!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Mormonism Revealed
Review: Excellent portrayal of just how ridiculous (and far-out) Mormonism really is. I knew nothing of Mormonism before I read this and am alarmed that so many people in the US actually embrace this religious cult. All religion is based upon faith, I'll give you that, but disappearing golden plates and visons that you can decide to change to suit you...what a crock!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: This is one of the most thought provoking books I have read in a long time. I could not put this one down! The pure detail that Krakauer went into was fascinating. Without all of the history that went into this book, most readers who have not lived or looked into the history of the Mormon religion, would be lost as to what motivated these men to commit this crime. Reading this book, as a member of the Church,(although inactive), inspired me to look into Mormon history even deeper. Some of the things I have found are fascinating. I give Jon Krakauer thumbs up!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book!!!
Review: It's about time someone wrote about the Fundamentalist Mormons! I found the book to be well written and informative. Krakauer did a wonderful job telling the appalling story of the duplicities of the Mormon origins. It's obvious that Joseph Smith was a consummate con. And the Lafferty Brothers, what a shame!
Rating:
Summary: well written and enlightening
Review: Brings many important issues about polygamy to the forefront, things that we as a society should be aware of. Certain may find the book offensive, but I believe Krakauer was simply bringing important and controversial issues to the forefront in a reasonable and compelling way. Well written and, even if you disagree with some of Krakauer's arguments, I think everyone can agree that this book is worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: The book seeks to fill many roles
Review: There are a number of things going on in this not always well organized book. It is a history of the Mormon Church. The author gives a somewhat detailed history of the Latter Day Saints from its founding by Joseph Smith in 1830 in New York, to its various moves across the country until the Saints finally settle down in the Utah territory, often leaving carnage in their path. It is a history of various splinter groups from the LDS Church. A number of former LDS members were excommunicated for their stance on polygamy and founded their own sects (and towns in some cases) that developed into mini-theocracies. It is from one of these groups that the Lafferty family arises. It is an analysis the Lafferty murders and how the faith of the murderers is involved. The author uses these elements and violence surrounding them to tie the brutality of the murders to their faith. It is not always an effective treatment as the constant jumping back and forth between settings is occasionally jarring, causing a reader to lose his or her place. The LDS were somewhat radical when founded and their even more conservative splinters even more so. The book is not an indictment of the Latter Day Saints, but of relgious fundamentalism in general. That these groups can produce people capable of the brutality committed by the Laffertys is reason enough to give pause, whatever the religion. There is much information in this book. Pay careful attention when reading and you will get a lot out of it.
Rating:
Summary: More than a murder story
Review: This book was initially picked up because it dealt with a murder that took place under the guise of the Mormon religion. What it was , was an indepth historical discussion of the Mormon religion. As a person who questions the validity of the Mormon religion -- I look at it as more of a cult than anything else, it was an indepth study of how the church was started (by a person who was essentially a scam artist), how it progressed and now how it is trying to rewrite its history. The book provided addtional resources that I am pursuing, especially the biography of Joseph Smith.
The Mormons will try to downplay the significance of what happened by their followers -- but in actuality they were only pursuing the teachings of their founder.
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