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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
A good read and a fair insight into mormon fundamentalism. It seems to me to be a product of quality investigative journalism rather than anti-religious blathering.
Meh. I had given this one 5 based on my memory of reading it 20 years ago. It wasn’t as remarkably written as I had first thought.
A fascinating look at fundamentalist Latter Day Saints and the culture they've built over the last century. It also provides a solid primer in the origins of the Mormon church. It's really, truly disgraceful that this sort of pedophilia, sexual and domestic abuse goes on without legal recourse. Much of the research is based on original source materials and interviews with the principals. At the end of the later editions is a rebuttal of the Mormon church's scathing condemnation of the book.
Very interesting read. Roughly half history of Mormonism, and half true crime coverage of the Lafferty case as well as other modern Mormon crimes.
Krakauer mostly lets the reader draw their own conclusions about the religion and some other big picture questions. I wish he were a bit more directly critical-- but the facts are pretty blatant as presented. In particular, he recounts an expert witness at the trial when the issue at hand was whether Ron Lafferty's actions were attributable to mental illness or merely an extension of extreme religious belief. The witness drew many parallels between his beliefs and those in "normal" religions, and the jury did find him competent to stand trial with the charges. In general, Mormonism is treated as a very weird religion and many people outside it discount it as (more) preposterous-- but do not hold that same standard of critique to their own faiths.
It was also chilling to see mentions of Warren Jeffs as this was published before his trial and case. One positive note is that Ruby Jessop, who at the time of publishing had returned to the faith community and disappeared into it, has since left it and spoken out against it including on the recent "Keep Sweet" documentary.
Krakauer mostly lets the reader draw their own conclusions about the religion and some other big picture questions. I wish he were a bit more directly critical-- but the facts are pretty blatant as presented. In particular, he recounts an expert witness at the trial when the issue at hand was whether Ron Lafferty's actions were attributable to mental illness or merely an extension of extreme religious belief. The witness drew many parallels between his beliefs and those in "normal" religions, and the jury did find him competent to stand trial with the charges. In general, Mormonism is treated as a very weird religion and many people outside it discount it as (more) preposterous-- but do not hold that same standard of critique to their own faiths.
It was also chilling to see mentions of Warren Jeffs as this was published before his trial and case. One positive note is that Ruby Jessop, who at the time of publishing had returned to the faith community and disappeared into it, has since left it and spoken out against it including on the recent "Keep Sweet" documentary.
Mormonism is actually fucking wack as fuck like if you want to argue read this book then come back to me. This is my first Krakauer book and yes tbh this book read like an encyclopedia but like the story wrote itself and I am not one to knock anyone down for their religious views but actually what the fuck is going on with Mormons.
This book had a lot of interesting information about Mormons and Fundamental Mormon sects, but I think it covered too much. One book could have been written about Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. One book could have been written about the Mountain Valley Massacre (actually one already has). One book could have been written about modern fundamental Mormons and finally, one book could have been written about the murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty.
In fact, there was not much information about the murders that were supposed to be a focal point of the book. We learn much more about the killers than the victims. But even that was just a small part of the book.
The narrative jumps around to different time periods and different "Saints", as the Mormans were referred. It really bogged down during the Joseph Smith time frame.
One thing that is really confusing to me is the difference between Fundamentalist Mormons and Mormons. Most of the information seems to be about the Fundamentalists, but I wonder if the beliefs of the Mormons are quite as extreme. I think that since the book went into the depth that it did, I should have had a clearer picture of the difference.
I was really disgusted hearing how many Fundamentalists show disdain for the laws of our country, yet live off of our welfare system as they impregnate 14 year old girls who have no control over their futures. Pedophiles.
In fact, there was not much information about the murders that were supposed to be a focal point of the book. We learn much more about the killers than the victims. But even that was just a small part of the book.
The narrative jumps around to different time periods and different "Saints", as the Mormans were referred. It really bogged down during the Joseph Smith time frame.
One thing that is really confusing to me is the difference between Fundamentalist Mormons and Mormons. Most of the information seems to be about the Fundamentalists, but I wonder if the beliefs of the Mormons are quite as extreme. I think that since the book went into the depth that it did, I should have had a clearer picture of the difference.
I was really disgusted hearing how many Fundamentalists show disdain for the laws of our country, yet live off of our welfare system as they impregnate 14 year old girls who have no control over their futures. Pedophiles.
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
This book is incredibly informative, yet unbelievably boring. I didn't need to read a textbook when I was sold a compelling story. Likewise, the LDS church preaches a repetitively dull lifestyle that many rebel against with age. So, by reading, I went on a pilgrimage with them, the crazed fundamentalist Mormons, to find enlightenment. We arrived there eventually; the final chapter and the author's remarks are the most insightful and enjoyable parts, perhaps because the author finally embraces narrative over form by giving us a reason to believe that not all religious fanatics are a lost cause.