Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith | Jon Krakauer

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith | Jon Krakauer | Gripping story while you're getting a history lesson

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Under the Banner o...

	Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith Jon Krakauer Anchor, 2004 - 432 pages average customer review:based on 696 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Jon Krakauer?s literary reputation rests on insightful chronicles of lives conducted at the outer limits. He now shifts his focus from extremes of physical adventure to extremes of religious belief within our own borders, taking readers inside isolated American communities where some 40,000 Mormon Fundamentalists still practice polygamy. Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the renegade leaders of these Taliban-like theocracies are zealots who answer only to God.

At the core of Krakauer?s book are brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a commandment from God to kill a blameless woman and her baby girl. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this appalling double murder, Krakauer constructs a multi-layered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, polygamy, savage violence, and unyielding faith. Along the way he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America?s fastest growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief.

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Mind-Boggling Historical Account

This book is a must read for anyone interested in reading a non-biased historical account of the Latter Day Saints. The parallel of events which occurred in the development of Mormanism as compared to the development of Islam are of a striking similarity.

Jon Krakauer is truly an amazing author and story teller.

Gripping story while you're getting a history lesson

I have read a lot of books on Mormonism that this is one of the best. That's because the author choose to wrap the story of Mormonism around some of it's best known and most gripping triumphs, tragedies, atrocities, and scandals.

I listened to the Audiobook and, frankly, I could hardly wait to drive to work so I could get through just another chapter. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Other Audio Books on Mormonism that I have enjoyed include:

Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith

Secret Ceremonies

Other books on Mormonism that I recommend include:

The Pattern of The Double-Bind in Mormonism

No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith

The Mountain Meadows Massacre

Beyond Mormonism : An Elder's Story

Mormonism, Mama & Me

Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?: The Spalding Enigma

Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints

Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young

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Very timely, given TX events

Although I am only 30 pages into this book, which takes place primarily in Arizona, the details of previous raids on FLDS compounds are shockingly similar to what is currently happening in Eldorado, TX--including how the press is presenting this group as being persecuted for their religion when in fact, the FDLS is guilty of heinous crimes against its female members, who are little more than breeding stock. What FLDS members present to the networks and media may not be at all what goes on behind those locked and closed doors. Read this book.

Captivating tale

Krakauer again works his magic to tell a very interesting tale. The book is full of history and is very educational, but at the same time entertaining--in a captivating way. The book explores the FLDS sects and what the members are willing to do in order to fulfill what they perceive to be "God's will." It's eye-opening and shocking.

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Interesting Book on LDS and FLDS beliefs.

I am enjoying reading this book, but I can only read a little at a time. It is a huge amount to process on each page. And, nearly every page has footnotes. I believe that the descriptions are very interesting and make me understand where my LDS friends come from on certain subjects. I also believe that the purpose of this book is to inform people outside the LDS faith and not to make judgement on FLDS or LDS beliefs. I recommend this book to those who are curious about the Morman religion and those who are already in the Mormon religion. I believe that there are a great deal of Mormons out there that have never taken the time to fully understand their beliefs and where they came from (ie faith in the word of the Elders and Prophets - the LDS church discourages members to research other faiths or viewpoints). I recommend this book just as I would recommend a book about Catholicism to a Catholic or non-Catholic alike.

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