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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I read this hoping to get a more rounded outlook on the events of 9/11 but was pleasently suprised at the collection of essays thrown at me describing mormonism, human trafficking, and the woes of warzones. The first person telling of these stories is what really sold it home for me. I would say it is informative, which it is, but it is more of an unveiling of truth. Loved this read. :)
gave me lots to think about, especially having grown up in SLC as well. I thought his comparison between Mormons and other religious extremists/fundamentalists was interesting to examine. Some parts of the books were very jarring, talking about extremely horrific events and the places in this world experiencing them, told in Carrier’s typical dry tone. His brutal honesty doesn’t always make me like him, but it does make me respect him.
I began this book wondering whether it would be more about Mormons or Radical Islam, and how personal Carrier would get, whether he would be more anecdotal or provide wider social commentary. The cover details were a bit misleading. They gave me the impression I would read a more thorough comparison between Muslims and Mormons--religious fanatics, as understood by Carrier. Instead, Prisoner of Zion is a collection of re-purposed articles previously published in other magazines, later glued together around the very broad themes of religion, Mormons, a journalist's travels in Asia, political revolution, war, and the tired trope of the cantankerous English professor who corrupts the minds of conservative America's youth.
Early in the book, I enjoyed his tongue-in-cheek, but still sympathetic voice as he talked about Mormons and Muslims, like one teases a friend. Toward the end he becomes more misanthropic, and plays the victim, as if it is hard to be a liberal professor in the predominately progressive-friendly world of higher education. Although, it must be precarious at times to be in his position, teaching in ultra-conservative Mormondom, he gets a taste for what it feels like for most conservative, libertarian, classical liberal, and otherwise non-traditional liberal academics who are the real minority perspectives in higher ed: "The people with me in the stands are paying my salary, but if they know what I try to teach they would have me fired. I've been trying to get them to fire me, but I've yet to hear one complaint from the administration, and I've never been told what or how to teach."
Carrier's book lures readers in with a slightly unsettling and playful challenge of religion as played out by a brief scene recounting a made-up--I assume--exchange between two children and their parents, regarding the question of God's existence. It starts the book on a proper note, but I don't see the point in having the same "Scene One" appear again, word for word, at the end of this short tome. His first piece is a warm, gently scolding of Mormonism, with a few snippets from his life growing up among Mormons, as a gentile (from the Mormon perspective). Some of his descriptions made me long for the Beehive state. "This is what I'm used to, living in a bowl, a high desert basin. When I leave town and spend time in flat places I start getting claustrophobic because everything is close up and nothing is far way, and if I stay too long I have panic attacks. I tell this to my friends who live in flat places and they say it is I who live in a claustrophobic place--among the Mormons."
The core of his book is a protest against Zionism, the chosen people mentality he sees among Mormons domestically, and among other religious fanatics abroad. "This is Zionism, and I'm against it, wherever it occurs, because it's nothing but a lie used to justify taking land and liberty from other people. this does pick my pocket and break my bones, and I hope someday it'll be seen by everyone as a ridiculous and archaic notion, similar to the belief that the Earth is flat."
I wasn't particularly impressed by his prose, but I could hear his voice coming through, revealing views he holds passionately. War sucks. American intervention perpetuates more problems abroad (even when non-Americans wish for American imperial involvement). Skepticism of authority is good. Religion is hokey, but charming at times, and when tempered produces lots of good-natured people. Science and reason is all we have, at the end of the day. This is his voice from the dust.
I was hoping for a more in-depth ethnographic study of Mormons. The book lacked that, but had variety--and, it was an easy read. I'd give this book to a friend who wanted to know more about life among Wasatch-front Mormons. They are a fascinating group of people.
Early in the book, I enjoyed his tongue-in-cheek, but still sympathetic voice as he talked about Mormons and Muslims, like one teases a friend. Toward the end he becomes more misanthropic, and plays the victim, as if it is hard to be a liberal professor in the predominately progressive-friendly world of higher education. Although, it must be precarious at times to be in his position, teaching in ultra-conservative Mormondom, he gets a taste for what it feels like for most conservative, libertarian, classical liberal, and otherwise non-traditional liberal academics who are the real minority perspectives in higher ed: "The people with me in the stands are paying my salary, but if they know what I try to teach they would have me fired. I've been trying to get them to fire me, but I've yet to hear one complaint from the administration, and I've never been told what or how to teach."
Carrier's book lures readers in with a slightly unsettling and playful challenge of religion as played out by a brief scene recounting a made-up--I assume--exchange between two children and their parents, regarding the question of God's existence. It starts the book on a proper note, but I don't see the point in having the same "Scene One" appear again, word for word, at the end of this short tome. His first piece is a warm, gently scolding of Mormonism, with a few snippets from his life growing up among Mormons, as a gentile (from the Mormon perspective). Some of his descriptions made me long for the Beehive state. "This is what I'm used to, living in a bowl, a high desert basin. When I leave town and spend time in flat places I start getting claustrophobic because everything is close up and nothing is far way, and if I stay too long I have panic attacks. I tell this to my friends who live in flat places and they say it is I who live in a claustrophobic place--among the Mormons."
The core of his book is a protest against Zionism, the chosen people mentality he sees among Mormons domestically, and among other religious fanatics abroad. "This is Zionism, and I'm against it, wherever it occurs, because it's nothing but a lie used to justify taking land and liberty from other people. this does pick my pocket and break my bones, and I hope someday it'll be seen by everyone as a ridiculous and archaic notion, similar to the belief that the Earth is flat."
I wasn't particularly impressed by his prose, but I could hear his voice coming through, revealing views he holds passionately. War sucks. American intervention perpetuates more problems abroad (even when non-Americans wish for American imperial involvement). Skepticism of authority is good. Religion is hokey, but charming at times, and when tempered produces lots of good-natured people. Science and reason is all we have, at the end of the day. This is his voice from the dust.
I was hoping for a more in-depth ethnographic study of Mormons. The book lacked that, but had variety--and, it was an easy read. I'd give this book to a friend who wanted to know more about life among Wasatch-front Mormons. They are a fascinating group of people.
Scott Carrier is a crazy person. But Scott Carrier knows he is a crazy person. Let him tell you about Mormons anyway. He's going to spend most of his time going on about the Middle-East, but what can you do about that ball of wax?
His conclusions are a little grim. Though they do seem to suggest that homosexual people will fix everything. There's something to that. I mean, that's the conclusion I came to, given his experiences. You can think what you want.
His conclusions are a little grim. Though they do seem to suggest that homosexual people will fix everything. There's something to that. I mean, that's the conclusion I came to, given his experiences. You can think what you want.