Vengeance Is Mine

The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath

By: Richard E. Turley, Barbara Jones Brown

Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith

Length: 17 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited follow-up to the groundbreaking Massacre at Mountain Meadows

Published in 2008, Massacre at Mountain Meadows was a bombshell of a book, revealing the story of one of the grimmest episodes in Latter-day Saint history, when settlers in southwestern Utah slaughtered more than 100 members of a California-bound wagon train in 1857. In this much-anticipated sequel, Richard E. Turley Jr. and Barbara Jones Brown examine the aftermath of this atrocity.

Vengeance Is Mine documents southern Utah leaders’ attempts to cover up their crime by silencing witnesses and spreading lies. Investigations by both governmental and church bodies were stymied by stonewalling and political wrangling. While nine men were eventually indicted, five were captured and only one, John D. Lee, was executed.

The book examines the maneuvering of the defense and prosecution in Lee’s two trials, the second trial ending in Lee’s conviction. Turley and Brown explore the fraught relationship between Lee and church president Brigham Young, and assess what role, if any, Young played in the cover-up. They trace the fates of the other perpetrators, including the harrowing end of Nephi Johnson, who screamed “Blood! Blood! Blood!” in his delirium as he lay dying more than sixty years after the massacre.

Turley and Brown also tell the story of the massacre’s few survivors: seventeen children who witnessed the slaughter and eventually returned to Arkansas, where the ill-fated wagon train originated.

Vengeance Is Mine brings the hitherto untold story of this shameful episode in Mormon and Utah history to its dramatic conclusion.

©2023 Oxford University Press (P)2023 Recorded Books

A Gripping Recount of a Historical Tragedy

Richard E. Turley and Barbara Jones Brown’s “Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath” is an extraordinarily detailed, painstakingly researched, and captivating narrative that delves into one of the darkest episodes of the American West. The book is an intricate blend of murder, intrigue, deceit, scandal, suspense, and political as well as religious maneuvering that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

The authors ingeniously utilize the narrative format to tell this tragic story, driving the plot with a rhythm that makes it impossible to put the book down. Set against the backdrop of the Wild West, the book paints a vivid and immersive picture of the era, helping the reader to understand the circumstances and the driving forces behind the gruesome Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Turley and Brown deserve immense praise for their meticulous research and documentation that form the backbone of this historical account. Their commitment to detail gives credibility to the narrative, providing a rich context that enables the reader to understand the events leading to the massacre, the horrific event itself, and the 20-year pursuit of justice that followed.

The audiobook version is a treat in itself. Narrated by T. Ryder Smith, the book comes alive with an array of distinct voices representing the myriad of characters involved in this complex story. Smith’s exceptional voice acting skills add another layer of authenticity to the book, enhancing the narrative’s atmosphere and intensity.

“Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath” is an engrossing read combining meticulous research and superb storytelling. The authors masterfully navigate the complex world of power plays, religious zeal, and political maneuvers, creating a narrative that is as enlightening as it is entertaining. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the darker chapters of American history. And the audio version, thanks to Smith’s skilled narration, adds an extra dimension of enjoyment to this captivating tale.

Amazing story

Reader mispronounced a number of location names. Very distracting to me to hear Man-tee and Kan-knob.

A complicated story told exceptionally well

To take this many details over this long a period and craft them into an accurate yet gripping tale is no small feat. Kudos to the authors who have spent a good chunk of their life on this project.

Details!

Beautiful written! I can only imagine how many journals and documents and news reports and letters and other foundational histories must have been located and thoroughly researched to create such an in depth and compelling book!

Thorough and fascinating

Once I started listening I had a hard time turning it off. I’m impressed with the incredible research and detail compiled by these writer-historians and highly recommend this book for learning about this atrocity in American history.

Great story telling history. it would make a great streaming mini series

Incredible writing, narration is phenomenal! I really appreciated the hard truth that is told in this horrific historical event in Mormon history. Well done!!!!

It's an amazing book about a horrific event.

The authors have done a great job keeping the information flowing in an interesting way while not sensationalizing it. The text is a 5.5 out of 5. My only critique is with the reader. There are some places where names are wrong, such as Wilford Woodruff being called William Woodruff, etc. Ivwill definitely be listening to it again!

Excellent book!!

A great follow up to Massacre at Mountain Meadows. Well researched, facts before fiction book!

Lifelong Questions Answered

It grieved my soul to hear this story, but I’m very grateful to Turley & Brown for the great effort they exerted to tell it. At last I feel like I know what happened at the Mountain Meadows. The dramatic narration was very distracting, causing me to wish I had purchased the printed book. For me the various voices dramatized almost detracted from the book’s authenticity. Overall, thank you for a sobering, enlightening experience.

One of the best historical audible books ever

It’s fascinating to read the reviews and the the listeners opinions of the book and performance. To hear some say the same story could have been told in half the time? There could be three volumes just as long as this one and still not reveal all of the elements of this complicated history. Two points I feel should have been addressed more clearly and the lack of attention given to these things is evidence of the authors biases. Forty men had guns in their hands and carried out this horrific massacre but only one person took the fall. Create a culture that believes that their leaders talk with and for God and they will do whatever they’re told. The second point, the culture will do anything to protect the institution that perpetuates that culture. In the case of the MMM many people stayed silent to protect the fact they did it because they had covenanted to protect that institution to the death. By doing this it absolved the leadership of any responsibility when the foundational belief of those who did this is a culture built on the idea of scripture that teaches. “whether from my servants voice or mine it is the same.”