Under the Banner of Heaven

A Story of Violent Faith

By: Jon Krakauer

Narrated by: Jon Krakauer

Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Jon Krakauer’s literary reputation rests on insightful chronicles of lives conducted at the outer limits. In Under the Banner of Heaven, he shifts his focus from extremes of physical adventure to extremes of religious belief within our own borders.

At the core of his audiobook is an appalling double murder committed by two Mormon Fundamentalist brothers, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a revelation from God commanding them to kill their blameless victims. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this "divinely inspired" crime, Krakauer constructs a multilayered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, savage violence, polygamy, 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.

Krakauer takes listeners inside isolated communities in the American West, Canada, and Mexico, where some 40,000 Mormon Fundamentalists believe the mainstream Mormon Church went unforgivably astray when it renounced polygamy. Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the leaders of these outlaw sects are zealots who answer only to God. Marrying prodigiously and with virtual impunity (the leader of the largest fundamentalist church took seventy-five "plural wives," several of whom were wed to him when they were fourteen or fifteen and he was in his eighties), fundamentalist prophets exercise absolute control over the lives of their followers, and preach that any day now the world will be swept clean in a hurricane of fire, sparing only their most obedient adherents.

Weaving the story of the Lafferty brothers and their fanatical brethren with a clear-eyed look at Mormonism's violent past, Krakauer examines the underbelly of the most successful homegrown faith in the United States, and finds a distinctly American brand of religious extremism. The result is vintage Krakauer, an utterly compelling work of nonfiction that illuminates an otherwise confounding realm of human behavior.

©2003 Jon Krakauer (P)2003 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Krakauer lays the portent on beautifully, building his tales carefully from the ground up until they irresistibly, spookily combust." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Krakauer presents details that indeed sound stranger than fiction." (The New York Times)

Abridged Version

Sentence I have read this book twice I can tell you that the Audible version is abridged. This was disappointing to me. Many important details are left out.

Great book!

Just an overall great read. Really dives into the history and background of Mormonism and the struggle between multiple factions of the faith. Also a great background of trying to make sense of seamless murders carried out by extreme traditionalist Mormons

Very Enjoyable

I found this book completely engrossing - once I started listening I didn't want to turn it off. The author moves back and forth between the foundations of Mormonism in the years of Joseph Smith and present day events. I can see why this book troubles the LDS church, but I think the author does a good job of emphasizing what is LDS doctrine, and where others have misconstrued or taken it in another direction. This book is a caution about any religion taken to extremes however.

Good story - poor conclusions

The story of the Lafferty killings needed to be told. This book provides a great narration of the events leading up to and following the murders. This book is certainly the best source to date on the details of this horrible crime.

The book errs by trying to go beyond storytelling. The author attempts to link religious belief with violence. Though violence is often exercised in the name of religion, the act is driven by something more fundamental than religious belief. There is a selection problem here: people who have innate desires to commit certain types of violent acts also tend to be drawn into these types of fringe groups. Another thing we see is that religiously-linked crimes are much more newsworthy than plain old 'secular' crime. If a murder is committed, for example, we are much more likely to see it on the news if the criminal had a religious background. This leads us to incorrectly conclude that religion is a large factor in violence. The Lafferty brothers were lunatics for sure, but it wasn't religion that made them like that.

The link between the Mormon church and the Mormon fundamentalists was also a little unfair (as well as the one-sided history of the Mormon church included in the text). Would he apply the same logic to link the behavior of modern Lutherans and Methodists to the history of the Catholic church?

Despite the problems with some of the conclusions of the book, it is well written and a good read.

An important book

This book examines the phenomenon of religious fundamentalism or extremism by examining the Mormon Church and its fundamentalist factions. I understand that these groups are not part of the official Mormon Church, but Krakauer attempts to identify how the religion allows a social space for these cults to form. It was entertaining and seemed well researched, giving one perspective of the history of Mormonism. I bought this book because I really wanted to read it and only had the time during a recent driving trip. I can't help but feel a little cheated because it was abridged. There were several times when events were recapped repeatedly in close proximity. These summaries were perhaps essential in the original version, when you might need a reminder of what happen 5 chapters earlier. However, the frequent recaps in the abridged version felt redundant. Overall, I am glad I bought it; I just wish it was available unabridged.

MUST 'READ'

1) it's a gripping and absolutely chilling story. 2) more importantly, it gives the history of one of the world's fastest growing religions. a very surprising and sometimes shocking history you haven't heard, and that you need to know.

Thought provoking and valuable insight

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

highlights the danger of religious fundamentalism, especially when it involves devine revelation. Thought provoking when considered in relation to Mitt Romney.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

no, but it was enlightening throughout

What about Jon Krakauer’s performance did you like?

detailed and suspensful

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

That mixed race interactions was punishable by death in the early Mormon church

Just right

Excellent storytelling of an equally excellent narrative. Krakauer isn't shy about tackling a difficult and disturbing event but with a sense of fairness to the complicated beliefs which motivated the killers and their circle. The implications are broader, touching on the thin ice around faith. Nicely done. His reading of his own words is a welcome bonus.

Seriously compelling book!!!

5 STARS!!! Author and narrator Jon Krakauer takes a different direction that some of his other well known books in Under The Banner of Heaven - A Story of Violent Faith. This book digs deep into the Fundamentalist Morman sect: their practices, history, and belief systems. This is the first audio book my husband and I listened to together and it was so interesting, we didn't even pause to talk! Thought it definitely sparked plenty of discussion when we stopped the car for gas or breaks.

Narration was impeccable, Book was intense and good on research and information rather than just opinions or myths

Very recommended with one small caveat

Narrated by the author and extremely informative and engaging. Only criticism would be when Krakauer would segway into a sort of critique of all religious belief and not just the fundamentalist variety the book is centered around. For me, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book but I did roll my eyes once or twice.