Rating: 
Summary: The research is solid
Review: Besides the excellent research, Larson writes a book that is readable. His conclusions are damning for those who claim that Joseph Smith had the ability to interpret the Egyptian language. Although Larson comes from a Christian perspective, I believe that he is very objective about his findings. A follower of Smith's might point to the author's Christian beliefs as a reason why this book is tainted, but this is ridiculous. Instead of attacking the messenger, the critics should go after the message...and I don't think this is so easy in this case. I especially like the fold-out color charts of the original papyrii--the book is worth its price just for these alone--and this makes it very easy to follow his explanations throughout the analysis. Visual learners will love it! I believe that this book is very important, for if Joseph Smith were a true prophet of God, and if he did indeed translate the Book of Mormon (the plates from this 1830 book are missing, so we cannot check his interpreting ability here), then we should expect the translation from the "Book of Abraham" to be very accurate. Alas, Smith did not know Egyptian (as proved by Larson); he was able to get away with so much because he lived when the science of translating the language was in its infancy. This is something every Mormon should think about.As far as those reviewers who do not like the last two chapters where the case for Christianity is presented: Larson is not trying to give the definitive case for his faith. That's not what this book is about. Rather, he was trying to say, If Mormonism is not true, then what is? This is a legitimate question, and I think these chapters were very appropriate where they were placed. To the Mormon, Christian, and atheist alike, I give By His Own Hand my highest recommendation.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent until the conclusion.
Review: When read with "Quest for the gold Plates" a Christian researcher on either side of the Mormon issue is extremely well armed to answer the "Are Mormons Christian?" question. Whereas "Quest.." reads like a very detached biography, Larson's book seems much more involved. Almost every aspect of Joseph Smith's ludicrous claims are examined. Any one chapter contains enough information to effectively end the debate over whether or not Joseph Smith was a con-man or a prophet. The many pictures, diagrams and references leave no room for silly claims that journalism which does not promote Mormonism, is simply baseless anti-Mormon fabrication. History, Archaelogy, Astronomy, Anthropology, Egpytology are ALL anti- Mormon! Therefore, any reader with even a modicum of common sense will be left with the feeling: "So why would any one beleive this stuff?" This is one question that may be better illustrated in "Quest for the Gold Plates" which gives a sad, extreme example of the Mormon psyche. Although "..by his own hand" flawlessly illustrates the huge wealth of data that may be used to tackle Mormon "door-knockers", anyone who has friends or family involved with this cultish group will realize that hundreds of facts and undeniable historical support alone are probably not effective enough to get a Mormon to see the light. Unfortunately, these people suffer from a stiffly regimented and hard to penetrate "faith before facts" agenda. This same mindset also seems to affect the author and his less than factual conclusion. Any book which attacks another faith system should be required to apply the same methods of criticism upon themselves. The book closes implying that Biblical Christianity is the proper alternative, which is misleading. Man-made churches which focus on the Bible as the cornerstone of their faith ignore the reality of the historical origins of Christianity. Churches invented during the reformation have no more right to claim "true-church" status than does one invented in the 1830's. The book claims that there is no true church and that churches are like vases which a beleiver may choose from according to his taste. Yet the historical and Biblical reality is in stark contrast to this comparitively recent construct. This huge number of "vases" from which to choose is not an absolute. They are a manmade dilemma. Jesus stated that the gates of hell would not prevail against his Church at least 1300 years before any Bible-centric fundamentalism was even dreamed of. Claiming "no true church" is essentially calling Jesus mistaken, misquoted or a liar; thereby dealing the "Bible only" camp a major self inflicted wound. During the many centuries between Christ's death until the reformation, faith and salvation were demonstrated, not by a verbal acceptance but by real, physical acceptance through the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist which was abandoned or modified by the reformers. Their desire for autonomy and "self-salvation" is exactly the same motivation which caused Joseph Smith to create HIS false church. To imply that one is fundamentally different from the other is (with the possible exception of Mormonism's satanic links) illogical at best; irresponsible at worst. "Biblical Christianity" is only a sound doctrine until it contradicts itself! This book is a perfect illustraion of my favorite quote (author unkown) "The devil will tell you a thousand truths to convince you of one lie." That is a good lesson for whoever reads this book. I say, challenge everything. Don't beleive anything someone tells you, (including me!) beleive it because you can't disprove it. With a more honest conclusion I would've undoubtedly given this book 5 stars. The only thing it lacks is some bill board sized pull outs of Joseph Smith's childish Egyptian "reconstructions" to post in front of the local LDS temple!
Rating: 
Summary: It's good!
Review: I really liked this book. It explains the history of the Book of Abraham, and how it came about, within the context of LDS church history. There are beautiful pictures of the papyrus (this is the original document Joseph Smith used to translate and write the Book of Abraham) and many useful captions for explaining what the figures and characters mean. Larson has done a really great job as far as explaining what the original papyrus really says and how LDS members have avoided confronting it. This book will be of interest to anyone studying Mormonism, Mormon history, doctrine, or if they are looking at the role that Egyptian culture has played in American history. It is very honest, accurate, and for the most part is well-written. The reason I gave it four stars is because of those two darn chapters in the back. He basically says, (in so many words) "Now that you've been exposed to the errors in Mormonism, become a Christian!" Which may or may not be a bad idea, but the problem is that hardly anyone who reads this is going to agree with him, based purely on these few chapters. The falseness (or truth!) of Mormonism doesn't affect the truth (or falseness!) in mainstream Christianity, and I wish Larson had realized this. Instead, it may give Mormons a psychological reason to make ad hominem attacks on the writer and thus ignore the good, logical arguments he made. And that's a shame, because Larson's conclusion on the Book of Abraham is right. But I still think it's a good book and I recommend it. It's easy to read and very clear, and this makes up for the shortcomings.
Rating:
Summary: A Guide to the Book of Breathing
Review: I think this book is brilliant. It's the most informative book about the book of abraham ever written. It has many facts and more facts. Mr. Larson has my standing ovation and from a lot of LDS scholars also! This is a must for LDS and non-LDS alike. Why do LDS fear to read books that may challenge their faith? If LDS are afraid of this little tiny book then the foundation of their church really has a problem. "Does your faith move mountains or do mountains move your faith"?
Rating:
Summary: Just the facts
Review: As an historian (and ex-Mormon), I found Charles M. Larson's work well researched, and reasonably well written. Some of the chapters (9 and 10) might have been "tighter," but this a critic of style, not over-all method. While Larson clearly demonstrates that J. Smith faked the Book of Joseph, he does lesser job in speculating "why.". Larson shines, with the letters from T. S. Ferguson as particularly powerful evidence. However, Larson might have left the appeal to "Bible believing" Christianity out of the work. Is the work an expose of Smith's fraud, or a long, and not so direct, evangelical tract?
Rating:
Summary: Reformed Egyptian Produces Deformed Scripture
Review: Larson sets out a very compelling case for the proposition thatJoseph Smith did not have the slightest ability to translate Egyptianthrough divine power, or otherwise. He also explores - and demolishes - the rather lame attempts by LDS scholars (but not the Church itself) to prop up the Book of Abraham as an authentic, signed manuscript by Abraham divulging important matters omitted in the Bible. Larson is also accepting of the fact that no amount of evidence will sway those who wish to place belief over fact. The predicted demise of the Mormon Church by virtue of the rediscovery of the papyrii, and the resulting evidence that it is nothing more than a funeral document written 1500 years or more after the time of Abraham, has not occurred, nor will it. People believe what they want to believe. As others have pointed out, the book is marred by Larson's plea for a return of LDS members to biblical Christianity, which allows for the allegation that it is an anti-Mormon treatise rather than a scholarly achievement. Though Larson keeps his religion to himself until the end of the book, he shouldn't have gone there at all. He must have known that in doing so it would undermine his credibility. Nonetheless, it is an excellent book and a must read for those interested in the underpinnings of Mormonism.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful source of information on the Book of Abraham
Review: I found Larson's treatment of the Book of Abraham to be informative, fair, and full of references to support his ideas. I felt he provided adequate information to refute the LDS theories he presented. But, as with ANY book, the ideas and facts presented needed to pondered and researched, and the "fluff" thrown out. (This is especially the case with books on religious matters.) Fortunately, Larson did a great job at keeping the "fluff" separate from the rest of the book. It was obvious when he was presenting his own ideas and when he was presenting facts. A great book to read if you want to know more about the papyri, whether you are LDS or not. (A note to LDS members wanting to read this book: Don't let someone tell you to only read "faith promoting" books from LDS General Authority authors. Besides, you wouldn't look to another car salesman on the same lot when you wondered if your salesman was telling you the truth about that shiny new car, would you? Don't forget God gave us the sacred ability to reason and think for ourselves. Failure to use those blessings is gross ingratitude.)
Rating:
Summary: Tremendous and Timely!!
Review: Many in my family are in the LDS church. This book was very helpful. I now believe there is hope in pulling the family out. Larson is compassionate towards those still in the church but does not hold back the truth. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Book
Review: A thorough and interesting search for the truth behind the claims of Joseph Smith as related to the Egyptian papyri. And despite what the reader from Murray, Utah would have you believe the missing scroll theory is discussed in chapter 11 and less so in chapter 8. Nobody knows for certain if there are any missing scrolls. Asserting that there are 10 to 15 feet missing is a simple ploy to add credibility to this readers comments. The evidence suggests that there aren't any missing scrolls, and even if there were there is overwhelming evidence that the scrolls the Mormons do have are the source for the Book of Abraham. Buy the book, read it, and draw your own conclusions. One last thought, the chapter on converting to biblical Christianity is out of place, the book looses nothing by skipping it. Even if the other overwhelming evidence didn't exist, this book alone proves that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Rating: 
Summary: Historical fiction
Review: It is amazing that someone so incompetent should be allowed to publish. This is history as a caricature. It is obvious that no one who knew anything about Egyptology had a hand in the production of this book. Larson is not to be trusted in his presentation of Egyptian language, religion or history. The pretty pictures do not redeem the book. The Mormons are probably laughing themselves silly at this parody of their history.
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