Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith
By Jon Krakauer
Read by Scott Brick
• 12.47 Hours
• 04/10/2003
• Unabridged
Format:
Digital Download (In Stock)
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1 Format: Digital Download
This extraordinary work of investigative journalism takes readers inside America’s isolated Mormon Fundamentalist communities, where some 40,000 people 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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Summary
Summary
A New York Times bestseller
A 2003 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Current Interest
A 2003 ALA Notable Book Finalist for Nonfiction
Editorial Reviews
Editorial Reviews
“Terrifying. . . . Startling. . . . Mov[es] deftly between past and present [and] provides a fascinating glimpse of the church today. —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A powerful portrait of how two seemingly ordinary Americans became murderers. —The Economist
“Illuminating . . . provocative. . . . Krakauer is an adept chronicler of extremists [and] the tour guide of choice for secular quests. —Los Angeles Times Book Review
“Marvelous. . . . A departure from Into Thin Air and Into the Wild . . . but every bit as engrossing. —Entertainment Weekly
“A hair-raising true-crimer. —Chicago Sun-Times
“A fascinating page-turner. . . . Engrossing. . . . Krakauer’s knack for crackling narrative and taut focus . . . drives this thought-provoking story. —The Columbus Dispatch
“Stunningly researched. . . . Elegant reportage. . . . An evenhanded inquiry into the nature of religious belief itself. —Newsday
“Captivating. . . . Fascinating and appalling. . . . [Krakauer] should be applauded—and read. —The San Diego Union-Tribune
“A great book. . . . Krakauer has found a fascinating story in plain sight, right in the heart of the American West, and told it with the narrative drive and unflinching honesty that marked his 1998 best seller, Into Thin Air. —The Oregonian
“Jon Krakauer is at his provocative best. —The New Orleans Times-Picayune
“Well-researched and evenhanded. . . . Thought-provoking. —USA Today
“Startling. . . . Timely. . . . Krakauer uncovers a ghastly trail of forced marriage, polygamy, violence and mind control. . . . A chilling look at Mormon fundamentalism. —The Charlotte Observer
“A terrific read. —Reader’s Digest
“Riveting. . . . Intriguing. . . . Breezy, smooth and vigorously written, this ambitious book is entertaining and informative. . . . Krakauer reconstructs the Lafferty brothers’ descent into fatal fanaticism magnificently, interweaving their story throughout the book and giving this wide-ranging work narrative coherence and emotional resonance. . . . [He is] a superb storyteller. —The News & Observer
“A powerful look at how religious belief can cross the line into fanaticism. —San Jose Mercury News
—
“A disturbing picture of Mormon fundamentalists. . . . Krakauer’s straightforward style and excellent storytelling ability make the book interesting. —Rocky Mountain News
“Compelling. . . . Provocative. . . . Illuminating. . . . A gripping tale. —The Christian Science Monitor
“Horrific, gripping. . . . Soberly written and courageously reported. —Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
“Engrossing. . . . Incisive. . . . [Krakauer is] a very careful reporter. . . . His clear-headed, unbiased examination of the church—leavened with genuine respect—and his conclusions . . . are hard to argue with. —Boulder Daily Camera
“One hell of a chilling read. —Maxim
“Krakauer writes with almost astonishing narrative force. It is hard to stop reading. —The Baltimore Sun
“Scrupulously reported and written with Krakauer’s usual exacting flair, Under the Banner of Heaven is both illuminating and thrilling. It is also the creepiest book anyone has written in a long time—and that’s meant as the highest possible praise. —Newsweek
Fantastic. . . . Right up there with In Cold Blood and The Executioner’s Song. —San Francisco Chronicle
“Powerfully illuminating. . . . Almost every section of the book is fascinating in its own right, and together the chapters make a rich picture. . . . An arresting portrait of depravity. —The New York Times Book Review
“Illuminating…Provocative…Krakauer
is an adept chronicler of extremists [and] the tour guide of choice for secular
quests.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review
This year’s most audacious work of nonfiction. . . . A white-knuckle mix of true-crime reporting and provocative history. —New York Post
“Well-researched and
evenhanded…Thought-provoking.” —USA Today
“Marvelous…A
departure from Into Thin Air and Into the Wild…but every bit as
engrossing.” —Entertainment Weekly
“A hair-raising
true-crimer.” —Chicago Sun-Times
“Stunningly
researched…Elegant reportage…An evenhanded inquiry into the nature of religious
belief itself.” —Newsday
“Captivating…Fascinating
and appalling…[Krakauer] should be applauded—and read.” —San Diego Union-Tribune
“Compelling…Provocative…Illuminating…A
gripping tale.” —Christian Science Monitor
“Krakauer writes with
almost astonishing narrative force.” —Baltimore Sun
“A powerful portrait
of how two seemingly ordinary Americans became murderers.” —Economist
“Terrifying…Startling…Mov[es]
deftly between past and present [and] provides a fascinating glimpse of the
church today.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A powerful look at
how religious belief can cross the line into fanaticism.” —San Jose Mercury News
“Fascinating…Engrossing…Krakauer’s
knack for crackling narrative and taut focus…drives this thought-provoking
story.” —Columbus Dispatch
“Horrific, gripping…Soberly
written and courageously reported.” —Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
“A disturbing picture
of Morman fundamentalists…Krakauer’s straightforward style and excellent
storytelling ability make the book interesting.” —Rocky Mountain News
“Jon Krakauer is at
his provocative best.” —New Orleans Times-Picayune
“A great book…Krakauer
has found a fascinating story in plain sight, right in the heart of the
American West, and told it with the narrative drive and unflinching honesty
that marked his 1998 bestseller, Into
Thin Air.” —Oregonian
“Startling…Timely…Krakauer
uncovers a ghastly trail of forced marriage, polygamy, violence, and mind
control…A chilling look at Mormon fundamentalism.” —Charlotte Observer
“Riveting…Intriguing…Breezy,
smooth, and vigorously written, this ambitious book is entertaining and
informative…Krakauer reconstructs the Lafferty brothers’ descent into fatal
fanaticism magnificently, interweaving their story throughout the book and
giving this wide-ranging work narrative coherence and emotional resonance…[He
is] a superb storyteller.” —Raleigh News and Observer
Reviews
Reviews
-
Almost too strange to believe... almost.
- This is a dense book, full of detailed and amazing accounts of the founding of the Mormon faith and it's many splinter groups. While history is not kind to most religions, the author treated the Mormon history with detached respect. Interwoven with the history is the tragic story of revelation from God gone awry, that results in the death of innocent people. This book is best listened to when you have some time and space to focus. Lots of dates and names.
Author
Author Bio: Jon Krakauer
Jon Krakauer is the preeminent writer of narrative nonfiction. His numerous bestsellers include Under the Banner of Heaven, Into the Wild, and Into Thin Air. He is editor of the Modern Library Exploration series.
Details
Details
| Available Formats : | Digital Download |
| Runtime: | 12.47 |
| Audience: | Adult |
| Language: | English |
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