|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Under the banner of heaven Nov 17, 2009
Very interesting book that moves between a modern day murder and the basic tennants of the Mormon church. Well writen, keeps the reader interested in the subject. I borrowed the book and read it some time ago. I recently bought the book for my wife. She also enjoyed the book.
Worth the read Oct 17, 2009
Having already been a Krakauer fan, I really enjoyed reading this version of historical commentary on the origin of the Mormon church. True to his previous style, and in a similar vein as Truman Capote, Krakauer bases his premise on a brutal murder by a few fanatical fundamentalists believing in the righteousness of their cause. In a somewhat journalistic style, similar to "Into the Wild" and "Into Thin Air", he explains the notion of "blood atonement", a common ritual among the persecuted Mormons as they strived to maintain their church against all odds. It is an informative look at the conception of the doctorine, as received by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, his embrace of Polygamy, the avenging angels, defending their right to plural marriage at any cost, the severing of the church from polygamy, and the different sects that chose to remain followers of the "principle". Most of the focus of the book is on the violence, both past and present, in relation to the faith, which is both gory and lacks remorse. This book is an entertaining account of a bizaar slice of American religious history and the bloody repercussions of unwavering devotion. Both shocking and objective, it is well worth the read.
 Truly frightening Oct 08, 2009
Assuming this book is accurate, and I do, we should be deeply concerned about extreme Mormons. I knew little about this side of Mormonism until I read this book (I assumed that extreme behavior such as polygamy was no longer acceptable in Mormonism). Part of what is truly frightening about these compounds is that the members are sheltered from the outside world. They are only exposed to their own media and many are completely ignorant about anything else.
I have a lot of questions about these people: for example, how can adults in these compounds get away with raping children and polygamy? Particularly if they go on talk shows to brag about such "achievements," why do the authorities not apprehend them?
I realized reading this, though this should have occurred to me before, that Mormons now outnumber Jews. This is even more disturbing when one knows that Mormons are much, much more fertile and their numbers are only bound to go up. While I have not seen any stats about Jewish fertility, I am guessing our numbers are going down. Jews are largely pretty secular and don't rape children in compounds, so think about that.
RIP Brenda and Erica Oct 06, 2009
note-Dan Lafferty read this book in July 2003 and gives it rave
reviews. There is an interview with him on Google. He still has
no remorse.
**********
Jon K says is took 3 years to research this book and 1
year to write it. This is a good book but I found it a little
confusing going back and forth from the murder, to past
Mormon history then to the present day.
I expected more about the Lafferty's. I did no want to see
pictures of Brenda and the baby but I wish their had been
pictures of the Lafferty brothers. There were NO pictures.
Not even one of the author. (there are pictures of them
on the net.)
The Mormons are very very touchy about their history.
They want to pretend certain things never happened.
I do not think Jon K picked on them. All religions have
skeletons in their closets.
Dan comes off in a more favorable light than Ron but they
are still cold blooded insane killers. Their misguided love of
GOD took them down a bloody path. Read this book to find
out WHY they killed Brenda and her baby.
RIP Brenda and Erica.....how brave Brenda was to think
she could handle these SICK men by herself. How sad she
did not RUN. SHAME on her husband & mother- in- law.
The mother in law sat knitting and listening while her sons
planned the murder in her dining room.
++++++++++
I'd like to suggest several other true UTAH crime books
for you to read:
1. Mark Hofmann---The Mormon Murders-Steve Naifeh.
..........................Dan Lafferty's is Mark's prison room mate.
2. Ervil LeBaron----The 4 o'clock Murders-Scott Anderson.
3. Frances S--------At Mothers Request--J Coleman.
BOOKS ON POLYGAMY:
Irene LeBaron Spencer, Dorothy Allred Solomon,Susan
LeBaron Schmidt, Kim Taylor, Elissa Wall & Carolyn Jessop.
A fast paced story of religion and murder in modern day America Oct 05, 2009
This is an excellently written book - fast paced and engaging. Jon Krakauer is adept at interweaving the history of the LDS Church with a present day story of "violent faith".
Based on a "revelation" he received from God, Ron Lafferty and his brother Dan brutally murdered Brenda Lafferty (their sister-in-law) and her 15-month old daughter, Erica. The two brothers never spoke of having remorse for what they did. In fact, Dan openly admits to the murder, claiming God wanted him to do it. It is a haunting notion: that someone's thoughts could be so twisted as to let them believe that by killing another human being they were doing the work of God. Krakauer latches onto this idea and examines exactly what would lead a person to commit murder in present day America because of religious believe.
Though the topic is fascinating, it is important to keep in mind that Krakauer only focuses on the extreme parts of Mormonism. He talks about Fundamentalists who openly practice polygamy and the physical and sexual abuse that goes on in those communities. Not all Mormon's are polygamists and not all Mormon's actively seek "blood atonement" against their enemies; it is only a small percentage that is so extreme. Before judging all Mormons too harshly remember, every religion has its radicals. Therefore if you do decide to pick up "Under the Banner of Heaven", read it with a grain of salt.
|
| |
|
![Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V%2Beipy8-L._SL75_.jpg "Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]")
![Across the Universe [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51T24FuHPEL._SL75_.jpg "Across the Universe [Blu-ray]")
![Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F27VzUl%2BL._SL75_.jpg "Underworld Trilogy (Underworld / Underworld: Evolution / Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) [Blu-ray]")
![Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RQUEopdlL._SL75_.jpg "Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour [Blu-ray]")
