Under the Banner of Heaven – Jon Krakauer
This review was originally published on Goodreads in 2009. Throughout the year, I’ll be working through my book review archives and posting flashback reviews with some current-day commentary. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane as much as I do.
Expectations.
As a long time Krakauer fan, I had high expectations of this book, and I wasn't disappointed in that he, once again, delivered a meticulously (almost obsessively) researched book. However, "Under the Banner of Heaven" was not what I expected.
I had thought I was picking up an American true crime story in the same vein as "In Cold Blood," and while I did get that story, I was treated to nearly 200 pages of history on the Mormon religion.
Not expected.
I did enjoy "Under the Banner of Heaven," it's just that it became a chore to read after a while. Even though I was not expecting a history of America's "home grown" religion, it was incredibly fascinating to see how Mormon's went from a fledgling group facing persecution and violence almost daily to becoming the aggressors and then finally the sugar-and-spice-and-everything-nice religion they are viewed as by some today.
With that said, it was incredibly difficult to keep character's straight and when the author needs to constantly remind you of who people are, he should take that as a hint that maybe he is going too in-depth with his research.
The main story of the Lafferty brothers was lost among chapters and chapters of Mormon back story, and while it is essential to understand the beginnings of the religion to understand why someone would so violently act out "God's will," I think this book could have been better suited in two parts. The first part being the history of Mormonism and its own violent past and the second being the modern-day fundamentalists and their violent protection of polygamy.
The two most fascinating parts of the book came at the end. First, when Krakauer did an excellent job of rehashing the psychological assessments done at Ron Lafferty's second trail in 1996. Reading about how a team of psychiatrists and psychologists debated whether Lafferty was already crazy before he committed murder or if religion made him crazy...or if the simple fact of believing in some of the more unbelievable aspects of religion makes us all a little crazy. Deep stuff.
Secondly, it was Krakauer's response to the LDS Church's criticism of his book. This was done in a 20-page appendix where he listed in full detail all the criticism, admitted fault in five misstated facts and then continued to debate all the reasons why he stood by his work.
I think that shows a lot about Krakauer's character and about how involved he gets into the subjects he covers, whether it be himself, the Lafferty brothers, Christopher McCandless or Pat Tillman (considering he put the manuscript of his Tillman book on hold for nearly a year until he felt it was perfect).
An incredibly fascinating read. I just wish I would have known what I was getting into when I first picked it up. If you are new to Krakauer, do not start with this book.
[2021 perspective] Since finishing this almost 12 years ago, I can say that it’s one I’ve thought about from time-to-time, but not one I often recommend to others. In fact, I haven’t picked up another Krakauer since – “Into Thin Air” has been on my bookshelf for almost 20 years at this point – some of it driven by the backlash he received from Pat Tillman’s family upon the publication of “Where Men Win Glory.” Still, he knows how to write solid non-fiction, and I’d be open to another of novels, but only if the subject matter calls to me.
Rating (story): 3/5 stars
Rating (narration): N/A
Formats: Paperback (personal library)
Dates read: June – July 2009
Multi-tasking: N/A
