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Original Essays | November 5, 2009

John Buntin: IMG Notes from the (Bibliographic) Underground



For more than 60 years, Los Angeles's origins, its underbelly, and (yes) its blondes have fueled the imagination of writers and directors from... Continue »
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Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

by Jon Krakauer

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Review:

"[T]old with raw narrative force and tight focus....Krakauer lays the portent on beautifully, building his tales carefully from the ground up until they irresistibly, spookily combust." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"[A] probing narrative....[Krakauer's] insightful book brings readers closer to an understanding of [the Mormon] religion....[A] first-rate work of nonfiction from one of our most intrepid reporters." Edward Morris, BookPage

Review:

"In collecting evidence, Mr. Krakauer ventures out to a lunatic fringe of polygamous self-appointed prophets....[T]his book provides more voyeuristic astonishment than curiosity or understanding." Janet Maslin, The New York Times

Synopsis:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [351]-358) and index.

About the Author

JON KRAKAUER is the author of Eiger Dreams, Into the Wild, and Into Thin Air, and is editor of the Modern Library Exploration series.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780385509510
Subtitle:
A Story of Violent Faith
Author:
Krakauer, Jon
Author:
Krakauer, Jon
Publisher:
Doubleday Books
Location:
New York
Subject:
Murder
Subject:
United States - 20th Century (1945 to present)
Subject:
Sociology of Religion
Subject:
Violence
Subject:
Mormons
Subject:
Mormon fundamentalism.
Subject:
Christianity - Mormonism
Subject:
Murder - General
Subject:
Religious fanaticism
Subject:
Christianity - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Da
Subject:
United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)
Subject:
Christianity - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saomts (
Subject:
Christianity - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (
Copyright:
Edition Number:
1st ed.
Edition Description:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Series Volume:
107-248
Publication Date:
July 15, 2003
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Pages:
372
Dimensions:
9.56x6.58x1.28 in. 1.54 lbs.

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