Under the Banner of Heaven

This is a book that will enlighten anyone on the Mormon religon if you really want to know the hard truth.It was thoroughly researched and wonderfully read by Scott Brick.I have followed the controversy regarding the pen of this book and the rebuttle from the Church of LDS. You judge for yourself, as for me, Jon Krakauer did a stellar job of being fair, factual and honest. As for the The LDS Church, it is in denial.

This is an interesting read for anyone who is concerned about religious fundamentalism.This tells a story about the Mormon fundamentalist church which I think can be applied to other churches and severe doctrines.Well read, well documented - he explains the Mormon church, its various sects, and its development in a easy and clear manner.

I found this book interesting, but it was a bit of slog to get through.The reader is a bit monotonous, but then the book is as well.I enjoyed the history of the Mormon church and now appreciate that it is as plagued by fundamentalist splinter groups as every other religion.However, if you are expecting the book to flow as a novel in the manner of Krakauer's other books, you may be disappointed.

Krakauer is a good author, Scott Brick is excellent at narration and characterization. Krakauer states late in the book that this "isn't the book he set out to write," that it became quite different after his research. As the "reader," it wasn't quite what I expected either. Billed as an in-depth look into the murders Brenda and Elizabeth Lafferty in 1984, the book started out there, but quickly delved into a detailed description and history of the Mormon religion. After a tireless string of examples, I became tired, and it was a long time before we ever got to see how this affected the "incident" at the heart of the book. I know Mormons who considered this book an attack on their religion, and it is easy to see why, though Krakauer keeps his text accurate to history and published works. As a listener, I found the book very interesting and educational, if not a compelling listen.

Basically, if you care about the history of Mormonism, read it. If details, names and long winded stories bore the heck out of you, skip it. It is seemingly alluring because it starts off with details about a gruesome crime committed in the name of Mormonism, but is essentially a history book. And really, who cares?

The book provides important information about the Mormon church, its history and its offshoots.Essentially it tells of how much absurdity, hypocrisy, and violence there has been in Mormonism ever since Joseph Smith.It's good that this knowledge reaches a wider audience.I had two criticisms of the book: a) I thought the way it moved between present and past a bit pointless-- a case of the writer being arch; b) eventually the catalogue of crime, craziness, and hypocrisy becomes somewhatnumbing.

This is the most disturbing book I have read in a very long time. When Elizabeth Smart was found and the circumstances of her capture revealed, I was not surprised at all.Any child brought up under her conditions would probably have capitulated just as she did. The Mormon faith is not a religion...it is a cult...fundamentalist and main stream Mormonism both. So, the next time those "nice" Mormon boys come to my door, I am prepared. To think this is the fastest growing cult in the world is indeed frightening.

Whew!I don't imagine this book is popular with many Mormons, because how on earth could they possibly reconcile their faith with the documentable story of its founders' motives and methods? I couldn't stop listening.

This book drives a couple of key points home for me.First, anyone who professes to have a direct communication line to God should be locked up.Second, steer clear of anyone in the 21st century who thinks the earth is 6,000 years old. Other than that, the book is extremely well written and researched.I had know idea how violent, racist and outright perverted the founders of the LDS church were.All in the name of Jesus?Yeah right.