Under the Banner of Heaven
Educational
Insightful
Honest

Under the Banner of Heaven A Story of Violent Faith

Jon Krakauer2004
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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Photo of Tove Söderberg
Tove Söderberg@tlsouthmountain
3.5 stars
Nov 13, 2024
Honest
Educational
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Ryan Mateyk@the_rybrary
5 stars
Jul 4, 2024
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Jenelle andersen@jenelle
5 stars
Feb 8, 2023
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Taylor Rae Peterson@taylorraepeterson
4 stars
Feb 6, 2023
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jiveen liew@jive
4 stars
Jan 30, 2023
Photo of Nathan Davis
Nathan Davis@mrnatedavis
4 stars
Jan 17, 2023
Honest
Gruesome
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Lyric Hooey@lyricldm
4 stars
Jan 6, 2023
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Jeannette Ordas@kickpleat
5 stars
Jan 5, 2023
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Cindy Lieberman@chicindy
4 stars
Nov 9, 2022
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Belle@bellebcooper
3 stars
Nov 6, 2022
Photo of Elissa Bowe LeBeau
Elissa Bowe LeBeau@wastingtime1994
3 stars
Aug 23, 2022
Photo of Syrina Akbari
Syrina Akbari@syrinaina
2.5 stars
May 24, 2022
Insightful
Educational
Long winded
Photo of Kathleen Mullins
Kathleen Mullins@kathleenm
4 stars
Feb 15, 2022
Photo of Barry Hess
Barry Hess@bjhess
5 stars
Jan 17, 2022
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Stevie Blundell@shibaunited
5 stars
Dec 24, 2021
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Kim@kimberlyfayereads
4 stars
Oct 6, 2021
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Sam White@samiwhit68
3 stars
Jul 8, 2024
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Kevin Owens@ko2111
4 stars
Mar 10, 2024
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Marisa clarke@mclarke
3.5 stars
May 14, 2023
Tragic
Intense
Eloquent
Dizzying
Thrilling
Insightful
Educational
Thought provoking
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Kelli@kellianne23
4 stars
Jan 18, 2023
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Beecher Halladay@beecher
4 stars
Dec 10, 2022
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Dani@dcr1518
4 stars
Aug 28, 2022
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Anna Claire@acofthestars
4 stars
May 31, 2022
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Madison Pangburn@mjpangburn
3 stars
May 8, 2022

Highlights

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