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Rating: 
Summary: Sound, but controversial
Review: An exhaustively documented and detailed study of the first days of Mormonism. Marquardt and Walters contend that much of the early history of Mormonism, as told by Joseph Smith, was invented after the fact. They show how Smith's early theologies were immersed in the occult, and how the religious revivals that supposedly inspired Smith could not have happened when he said they did. Very tightly argued, and very controversial. A devastating critique of the official story of Mormon origins.
Rating: 
Summary: The Historical Joseph Smith
Review: An in-depth look at Joseph Smith's world and how it shaped the founder of the LDS. An interesting read for those interested in Mormon history.
Rating:
Summary: The thought is immense.
Review: Good labor and a hard sweat aer earmarks of a good book. You must credit Wesley for the detailed footnotes that pepper this book, and make it firm in all things.Things change, and I guess that is the essence of Mormonism. All is not what it was, but we can live with that since we know it is wrong. This book is totally on the mark, since ther eis transion, change, and evolution, and Mormonism's progess is evidecne of its falsity. Good cannot get better. On page 27, the page number is missing, and the word "Moroni" should be "Alma." The index was rather weak for my staste, but the binding held up as is cross-refernced the informatiopn with my otehr books. YOu can never have too good of a binding in a book.
Rating:
Summary: Academic and detailed
Review: The book's subtitle, "Tradition and the Historical Record," sums it all up very well. The authors take an amazingly detailed look at the traditional history of the Mormon Church (pre 1830 for the most part), and compare it closely with contemporary documents. (i.e. property deeds, census, etc.) In order to really understand this book, you may consider using a whiteboard to draw out the timelines. This should help you to understand the contradictions between what the traditional record is, and what historical records reveal. Otherwise, you will probably have a potpourri of dates shuffling around your head. Very detailed and difficult to get into.
It belabors chronological events to the point of boredom. This said, it is a necessary exercise to determine the timing of events such as the First Vision of Joseph Smith, the visit of Moroni, etc. Just don't read it passively. It's insightful and mostly balanced.
Though it does rely heavily on Eber Howe's biased affidavits regarding Joseph Smith's involvement in treasure digging. I remain unconvinced of their inherent historical value.
Rating:
Summary: Academic and detailed
Review: The book's subtitle, "Tradition and the Historical Record," sums it all up very well. The authors take an amazingly detailed look at the traditional history of the Mormon Church (pre 1830 for the most part), and compare it closely with contemporary documents. (i.e. property deeds, census, etc.) In order to really understand this book, you may consider using a whiteboard to draw out the timelines. This should help you to understand the contradictions between what the traditional record is, and what historical records reveal. Otherwise, you will probably have a potpourri of dates shuffling around your head. Very detailed and difficult to get into.
It belabors chronological events to the point of boredom. This said, it is a necessary exercise to determine the timing of events such as the First Vision of Joseph Smith, the visit of Moroni, etc. Just don't read it passively. It's insightful and mostly balanced.
Though it does rely heavily on Eber Howe's biased affidavits regarding Joseph Smith's involvement in treasure digging. I remain unconvinced of their inherent historical value.
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