Scan barcode
raehink's review
3.0
Samuel W. Taylor is considered a maverick Mormon historian. Maverick mostly because of who he was and his style. Mormon because he was the son of John W. Taylor, an apostle, who was the son of the prophet John Taylor. This makes him a relative of mine through my husband, by the way. He was always true to his faith, but lived it in his own unique way. As should we all.
His style is a mix of journalism and sarcasm. He was instrumental in revealing (and not backing down) the facts regarding polygamous marriages performed well after the Manifesto that supposedly ended them. I'm sure he was seen as a thorn in the Brethren's side at the time, but now his writings are considered almost first source documents because of his perspective.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book, which deals with plural marriage and the years before, during, and after the Manifesto. He made me want to read more about the Reed Smoot business. The second half was more meh. Biographical stuff and a vignette about the Dream Mine, which is always fun.
His style is a mix of journalism and sarcasm. He was instrumental in revealing (and not backing down) the facts regarding polygamous marriages performed well after the Manifesto that supposedly ended them. I'm sure he was seen as a thorn in the Brethren's side at the time, but now his writings are considered almost first source documents because of his perspective.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book, which deals with plural marriage and the years before, during, and after the Manifesto. He made me want to read more about the Reed Smoot business. The second half was more meh. Biographical stuff and a vignette about the Dream Mine, which is always fun.
More...