American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 |
Buy American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 here, one of 750 American Prophecies books offered for sale at discount prices here in the history books section at R bookshop. There are currently 88183 history books in our history books section, and over 1,000,000 books listed in our book store. We greatly appreciate your patronage at R bookshop and look forward to offering you a large selection of great books at discount prices now and in the future. Thank you for shopping at R Bookshop!
|
You Are Here: Home > History Books > American Prophecies > Item 185
|
American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857
|
by Sally Denton
Sales Rank: 407805
|
$4.84
At Amazon
on 9-15-2008.
|
|
|
|
Features
Cover Type: Hard Cover with 336 pages
Published by: KnopfEdition: 1st Edition June 17, 2003
Written in: English
ISBN 10 Number: 0375412085
ISBN 13 Number: 978-0375412080
Book Dimensions:
9.5 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches
Weighs: 1.5 pounds
Reader Reviews
Two books have recently been published about cold-blooded murders in Utah, and figuring prominently in both is the LDS church -- the Mormons. Jon Krakauer's UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN is about recent murders and the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart committed by Mormon Fundamentalists who, though excommunicated by LDS authorities for practicing polygamy and other deviation, claim to be following the original teachings of church founder Joseph Smith. Sally Denton's subject in AMERICAN MASSACRE is the near-annihilation of the Fancher-Baker wagon train at Mountain Meadows in southern Utah on 9/11/1857. That barbarous act, the slaughter of 120 men, women, and children may have been authorized by church leaders was was certainly carried out by Mormons who believed they had official sanction for their acts. The two authors display contrasting strengths as writers. Krakauer is the better prose stylist, but Denton has put together a more unified story. Krakauer succeeded in getting members of the Fundamentalist Mormon community (including the murderous Laffertys) to talk freely about the murders they say God told them to commit. He gives the reader an unspairing, intimate view of the crime and the criminals, like that of Mailer in THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG. Krakauer admits readily in interviews that he relied heavily on secondary sources (like historian D Michael Quinn)for his depiction of the historical aspects of Mormonism. Denton has done far more original historical research for her book; from reading diaries and oral histories in Arkansas (where the Fancher party originated) to combing through the National Archives, US Army records, and those of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She reconstructs the trial of John D Lee, the only person convicted of the atrocity, from court records, his diaries, and contemporary newspaper accounts. Denton provides chapter notes and an extensive bibliography to support her scholarship. Denton resurrects a number of little-known non-Mormons who figured prominently in Utah Territory at the time of the massacre and after. Like Thomas L Kane, scion of a politically prominent Philadelphia family, who acted as Brigham Young's intermediary and apologist to three US Presidents. Like Territorial Judge John Cradlebaugh, who initiated the first investigation into the Mountain Meadows massacre. A more famous nemisis of Brigham Young was General Albert Sidney Johnston, who led US troops in the "Utah War" of 1858 and assisted Cradelbaugh in his investigation. He would die five year later at Shiloh fighting for the Confederacy. I recommend both books. At a time when Islamic religious extremism is on everyone's mind, we need to be reminded that the United States has produced and is producing its share of dangerous zealots. Krakauer refers to the Fundamentalist polygamists of southern Utah as "the American Taliban". In AMERICAN MASSACRE one can trace the roots of the religious fanaticism that bears bitter fruit in UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN.
Comments (2) | |
(Report this)
Back To Top
|
American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857
Available from Amazon
Price: $4.84
Updated on 9-15-2008.
|
NOTICE: All prices, availability, and specifications
are subject to verification by their respective retailers.
| We offer American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 and other related American Prophecies Books here at Rbookshop.com. To view more books about American Prophecies please use the previous and next buttons near the top of this page.
|
|
Search for books at
