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311 reviews for:
The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice
M. Bridget Cook, Rebecca Musser
4.01 AVERAGE
311 reviews for:
The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice
M. Bridget Cook, Rebecca Musser
4.01 AVERAGE
I find books about the FLDS both fascinating and horrifying; another reviewer mentioned that reading about the FLDS is like watching a train wreck. Agreed! You can't look away even while you feel sick to your stomach.
Under Warren Jeffs, who is surely a sociopath, the FLDS practices evolved into institutionalized pedophilia. Author Rebecca Musser labeled FLDS' actions as "human trafficking." Her description is accurate ... and highly disturbing.
Even more disturbing is that Jeffs is still calling the shots from prison ... and that his followers are still listening to him.
Under Warren Jeffs, who is surely a sociopath, the FLDS practices evolved into institutionalized pedophilia. Author Rebecca Musser labeled FLDS' actions as "human trafficking." Her description is accurate ... and highly disturbing.
Even more disturbing is that Jeffs is still calling the shots from prison ... and that his followers are still listening to him.
This book was heartbreaking. The hell that these people went through all in the name of polygamy and obedience to God chilled my soul. This was a book about resilience, strength, determination. It shattered me. It was amazing. I hurt for the people involved. Rebecca Musser is a brave, brave woman indeed.
This true story was so compelling I read it straight through to learn the unbelievable details of how one man controlled and abused so many people. The story is told in a coherent, logical fashion, but it is the story itself that was so riveting. I then read her younger sister's book STOLEN INNOCENCE for a congruent version from a different point of view-- also worth reading.
I've read a bunch of similar books before - and they are horrifying. I always say the same thing in these reviews - even if only HALF the stories are true - then there are no words for what these people have lived through. My mind simply can't imagine it, based upon my own privilege of being born a WASP.
I was a little disappointed to find out the author left the FLDS when she did - she was this major witness to major court cases and lived through such a traumatic period in our history, yet she left the FLDS before so many events most of us know about actually occurred. I admit there's at least part of me who wonders if she was speaking out only for the fame. On the other hand, speaking out and the other sacrifices she made in order to be in court on a continuing basis was just so terribly brave.
I also found it very interesting to read about the FLDS from the point of view of a female who was (relatively) well off, cared for, "rich". She certainly had money to go horse back riding, had decent clothes to wear, could fly frequently on a Lear Jet. Yes, that money was stolen from others in order to support a prophet, but she still lived a pretty good life and from what I could tell, was a heck of a lot (financially) better off than I am. On the other hand, no privacy - I can't even imagine never having any privacy at all. I work in retail which means there are cameras on me every where I go except the bathroom, and that stresses me out sometimes even though I'm not doing anything wrong - like the author. To be constantly watched....This review was originally posted on Rambling Reviews
I was a little disappointed to find out the author left the FLDS when she did - she was this major witness to major court cases and lived through such a traumatic period in our history, yet she left the FLDS before so many events most of us know about actually occurred. I admit there's at least part of me who wonders if she was speaking out only for the fame. On the other hand, speaking out and the other sacrifices she made in order to be in court on a continuing basis was just so terribly brave.
I also found it very interesting to read about the FLDS from the point of view of a female who was (relatively) well off, cared for, "rich". She certainly had money to go horse back riding, had decent clothes to wear, could fly frequently on a Lear Jet. Yes, that money was stolen from others in order to support a prophet, but she still lived a pretty good life and from what I could tell, was a heck of a lot (financially) better off than I am. On the other hand, no privacy - I can't even imagine never having any privacy at all. I work in retail which means there are cameras on me every where I go except the bathroom, and that stresses me out sometimes even though I'm not doing anything wrong - like the author. To be constantly watched....This review was originally posted on Rambling Reviews
This was really good. Really disturbing, but good.
I thought that the best part of this was the perspectives on how women can be controlled by a religion. I think this should be required reading for anyone who says that women in oppressive religions should just leave. That doesn't account for the fact that if you have no education, are kept constantly pregnant or nursing, are kept captive by threats to your children or family, then you may not make the same choices that someone with a healthy support system does.
That is, check your privilege at the door when making judgments about how people "should" behave in cult or heavily controlled situations.
I thought that the best part of this was the perspectives on how women can be controlled by a religion. I think this should be required reading for anyone who says that women in oppressive religions should just leave. That doesn't account for the fact that if you have no education, are kept constantly pregnant or nursing, are kept captive by threats to your children or family, then you may not make the same choices that someone with a healthy support system does.
That is, check your privilege at the door when making judgments about how people "should" behave in cult or heavily controlled situations.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
What a wild ride! I cannot believe the amount of work it took to save the children from Rebecca Musser’s religious community.
I've read a lot about the FLDS and this story was just as riveting and heartbreaking and mindbending and infuriating as all of them. There aren't many memoirs that I've read that didn't make me feel like a greater and more thorough person for having read them, and this was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed this read (if you can call reading about horrible unspeakable monsters "enjoyable"?) and would recommend it to anyone.
This was an interesting look into the lives of the FLDS cult, and how a group that started with good intentions could be so misled by the blind following of a leader. My heart broke for Becky as I listened to her tale, and for the women who are still trapped within the cult.
It would be hard to give this book less than four stars, it's a well written autobiography. Of the books I have read about the FLDS this is one of the best. Musser manages to walk the line of information delivery and being compelling without launching into pity. Unlike under a banner of heaven this book doesn't touch on Mormonism except to illustrate the difference between LDS and FLDS, it also doesn't draw any conclusions about the faith, rather it rests solely on the condemnation of warren jeffs and his father Roulon. A good read for anyone interested in the trial or the subject.