a_a_ron3891 's review for:

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
4.0

A fascinating look at the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, exploration of Mormon Fundamentalism, and disturbing case study of a murder inspired by religious extremism all rolled into one book. It's a page-turner all the way through but there's a relatively brief section towards the end dealing the retrial of one of the murderers with expert testimony to determine whether he is/was insane that was so fascinating - this book can make you remember fondly the gentle hypocrisies of small town organized religion in America when it's contrasted to extremism & fundamentalism.