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jmebooks 's review for:
Under the Banner of Heaven
by Jon Krakauer
4.5 stars for me.
I was totally pulled in by a lot of parts of this book. The murder and characters surrounding it, the history of the LDS church, and stories of polygamous colonies were shocking and enlightening to me. I was less drawn into the middle-end history stories (sometimes felt like a little too much detail was given... but whatever.)
Most of all, I LOVED the end discussion of the Laffertys in court, where the state (and reader) are forced to ponder: Is religious belief delusion? Is acting on a vision from God grounds for an insanity defense? It made me take a look at my own beliefs, I think fairly consider the LDS church and their beliefs (as it was wasn't written from a "can you believe these kooks!" kind of perspective, although I have no idea what actual Mormons would make of this book.) and lead me down unexpected paths. I loved it.
I was totally pulled in by a lot of parts of this book. The murder and characters surrounding it, the history of the LDS church, and stories of polygamous colonies were shocking and enlightening to me. I was less drawn into the middle-end history stories (sometimes felt like a little too much detail was given... but whatever.)
Most of all, I LOVED the end discussion of the Laffertys in court, where the state (and reader) are forced to ponder: Is religious belief delusion? Is acting on a vision from God grounds for an insanity defense? It made me take a look at my own beliefs, I think fairly consider the LDS church and their beliefs (as it was wasn't written from a "can you believe these kooks!" kind of perspective, although I have no idea what actual Mormons would make of this book.) and lead me down unexpected paths. I loved it.