Rating: 
Summary: Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves
Review: How does one write a book about religion, faith, and fundamentalism for the general public without agitating the same said religious fundamentalists?An objective, secure writer or historian shouldn't worry too much about offending the very subjects they may be writing about. Go where the story takes you, and find the kernels of truth along the way. Yet many times we see writers, biographers, and historians marginalize their quest for "the truth" with apologetic sentiments. Jon Krakauer is no exception to this with regard to this book, but I give him points for trying to make some sort of point. I think most (not all) folks can agree that Colorado City, AZ represents a freakish, hellish, inbred cesspool of the narrowest of minds which gives the Taliban a run for its money in the arena of zealous fundamentalism. Americans are quick to look down upon other cultures without giving a second glance inward to the fundamentalist crackpots among us. Truly, we are a nation of hypocrites in this sense.
Rating: 
Summary: Why people criticize this book ...
Review: This is a great book, well-researched and well-written. Please note that the negative reviews are written by those who, understandably, wish to defend their own religion: Mormonism. A close read of the book will show that it is, in fact, VERY balanced in its approach to reporting on the topic. The fact that the LDS and FLDS religious traditions appear in a poor light is a factual reflection of the destructive, dehumanizing flaws in those religions. Take a look at the evidence, and what has happened to REAL human beings as a result of LDS/FLDS teachings and practices. Sorry, but it's true.
Rating:
Summary: Very very true, even if it's uncomfortable for Mormons.
Review: Krakauer's new book is quite accurate, actually. This is a great book. A tell-all of the real history behind Mormonism, even if it is embarrassing of uncomfortable for mainstream Mormons to talk about. There is a reason this is on the New York Times best-seller list! The book is riveting. Me and my colleagues are now reading it for the 4th time. There is so much in this book to digest.. from fundamentalism in general, to the story of Elizabeth Smart and the Lafferty brothers. It connects and intertwines their stories with a very un-biased viewpoint. Unfortunately, most Mormons today will view this book as "anti" or "sensationalistic" (providing they will acutally buy the book, crack the cover, and look at the historical past instead of the spiritually biased side the have known). I am a Mormon, and a worthy, full-time student at BYU and the sources the author qoutes are real, factual, and irrefutable.
Rating:
Summary: Go to the church of your choice, but go to church?
Review: For years I listened to the cheery voice of the public service message reader saying, "Go to the church of your choice, but go to church." I found the message disturbing. Did the sponsors of the message believe that any religion was better than no religion at all? Had they considered the possibility that a lot of people were choosing religions that promoted snake handling, voodoo hexes, blood sacrifices, violent prejudice, wife and child beating, and the idea that anything that came into a true believer's head was likely to be a message directly from God Almighty. Now with Osama bin Laden at large, Jon Krakauer is asking similar questions. It's about time someone did, and I doubt that anyone could do it more eloquently than Krakauer.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: I am a huge fan of Jon Krakauer's books and his articles which have appeared in Outside magazine. I have never submitted an online review for a book before, but I feel compelled to do so this time.
Under the Banner of Heaven was an incredible read and an incredible journey for me as I read the book. I started reading this book on a road trip with my husband from North Carolina to Colorado. I could not put it down.
I applaud Mr. Krakauer's courage and his beautiful style of writing. This book is very disturbing, insightful, honest, eloquent, and was impossible for me not to be moved by what I read.
Thank you, Mr. Krakauer, for such a wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: A very open-minded view. Non-biased. A BEST SELLER!
Review: The book was totally exciting, and not at all 'anti-mormon'. The author isn't into mormon sensationalism. He brings out true, historical facts and connects them into today's world, as to why religious extremists do what they do. It's a double-sided view. He gives you current Mormon beliefs, and compares them with their past. The book did fail to mention that although they 'denounce' polygamy, the Mormon Church continues to practice a 'spiritual' polygamy in their temples. I was raised by Mormon parents and my father is married to 3 women on his church record. This may be another reason why Mormon fundamentalists do what they do.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating American History
Review: Wow. This is a book that makes you want to wander the American History section of the public library in search of GREAT STORIES about our country's past. This isn't a whodunit true crime book, but rather a whydunit looking at social origins. Krakauer is very careful to distinguish between the mainstream and fringe (Fundemental LDS) societies. Anyone who reads this book and believes it is about all LDS members really wasn't paying any attention. This book calls into question the fanatical expression of religion in the United States. Though it only speaks about FLDS specifically, most readers will probably consider other new American religions or sects as they read.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Fiction
Review: There's an old saying: "Society without organized religion is like a psychopath without a gun." If you subscribe to that view, then this book's meandering collection of horrifying anecdotes, presented as if they give an accurate view of what Mormons are or were, will delight you. It's preaching to the choir, to use an old saw perversely. And perversity is about all you'll get out of this National Enquirer view of Mormonism, but at least it'll be interesting. If you're LDS you'll hate the book since it takes pains to paint the most revered figures in Mormonism as vicious, horny, egregiously dishonest frauds. It is not much different from conventional anti-Mormon diatribes of the type published by the polemicists who whipped up mob sentiment in the old days. Those polar positions are where most of the reviews of this book are coming from, and one wonders if the "reviewers" even read the book. As someone who has actually read this book, and also Krakauer's other work, I don't assume Krakauer is trying to be accurate. He's trying to entertain and editorialize and most of all to sell, just like he did in Into Thin Air (another overhyped and inaccurate book, although not as inaccurate as this one). To write Under the Banner of Heaven he did little more than read a few prominent histories (one of his favorites being a book now widely known to be seriously flawed), conduct some interviews, and then string together this book, which has none of the virtues of the better non-hagiographic histories. One example--nonreligious, so we can deal with simple and incontestable facts--shows the problems underlying the book: Krakauer holds forth on who has raped who based on his understanding of Utah statutory rape law, and a very brief glance at Utah Code 76-5-402.1 makes clear that he's years off in terms of properly identifying the age at which the statute takes effect. The book is so full of those kinds of errors that it calls into question whether Krakauer was even making an effort to do anything other than titillate. In short, no one is going to learn much from reading this book because it's too hard to tell where Krakauer is accurate and where he's slinging slop because it fits his worldview (like his insistence that Mormons rather than Indians must have murdered the Powell expedition deserters, despite the fact that virtually all real historians including his favorite historians don't believe that). But it's an interesting read, and Krakauer will win a few gullible converts.
Rating:
Summary: This is NOT a Mormon Hatchet Job
Review: Many Mormons won't like this book. Within the context of examining a grisly murder, it presents an unvarnished overview of the history of the Latter Day Saints, incorporating both the good and the bad. One can't help but be sympathetic to the persecution the Mormons have endured, especially prior to their settlement in Utah. However, one is equally taken aback by the apparent bloodlust of the early church leaders and fundamentalist adherents of today. The book also details the current state of polygamy in North America along with the sexual abuse of young girls that is rampant in communities where polygamy is practiced without much in the way of challenge by state or federal authorities. The book is well-written, well-researched and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth Hurts
Review: ...Krakauer's book was not one-sided as many of the negative reviewers would like you to think; he focuses on FACTS-facts that the LDS Church has locked away so not to embarrass itself. In no way does Krakauer condemn the modern LDS Church...I do not look upon them negatively due to this book, I merely question their beliefs in a religion that has a questionable beginning. However, as Krakauer very fairly stated, Mormonism is questioned more often than older faiths because it is a new religion.
This book is an exciting read. Krakauer has found a wonderful way of giving the reader the facts (although there are some errors-as in EVERY book) in a pleasant and satisfying way. This book will make you think and question your own faith: Mormons and Gentiles alike. This is a book for people who want to think...
| 
