Blood of the Prophets

Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows

By: Will Bagley

Narrated by: Charles Henderson Norman

Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The massacre at Mountain Meadows on September 11, 1857, was the single most violent attack on a wagon train in the 30-year history of the Oregon and California trails. Yet it has been all but forgotten. Will Bagley's Blood of the Prophets is an award-winning, riveting account of the attack on the Baker-Fancher wagon train by Mormons in the local militia and a few Paiute Indians. Based on extensive investigation of the events surrounding the murder of over 120 men, women, and children, and drawing from a wealth of primary sources, Bagley explains how the murders occurred, reveals the involvement of territorial governor Brigham Young, and explores the subsequent suppression and distortion of events related to the massacre by the Mormon Church and others.

©2002 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"For 50 years, Mormon historian Juanita Brooks's The Mountain Meadows Massacre has been the standard work on the subject. Here, Bagley claims only to extend Brooks' work. This well-written and well-thought-out analysis is essential for all libraries with collections on the West or the Mormons." ( Library Journal)

religion is dangerous

this account only goes to show how dispicable and dangerous any religion can be. how many people have suffered and died in this world throughout history because of a stupid belief of an afterlife. sold to them by a MAN. living things die that's what happens grow up and except the fact one day YOU will not exist. It's nature, it's ok to be afraid of death , but to exploit other people's fear of death is disgusting. humans need to stop this crazy religious fantasy or the race is doomed. All religions are a giant hinderence on the advancement of civilization.

Will Bagley Hits Another One Out of the Park

Would you consider the audio edition of Blood of the Prophets to be better than the print version?

No

Who was your favorite character and why?

Brigham Young

What aspect of Charles Henderson Norman’s performance would you have changed?

He needs to learn how to pronounce words like Lemhi.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked Will's handling of the background to the massacre.

Any additional comments?

Will Bagley is the best historian of the Western Trails since Dale Morgan. This is a very important book and lays to rest many of the myths perpetuated about this historic event.

Magnificient History on the Mtn. Meadows Massacre

If you could sum up Blood of the Prophets in three words, what would they be?

Very well researched!

What other book might you compare Blood of the Prophets to and why?

Hard to compare as I haven't read others like this.

Have you listened to any of Charles Henderson Norman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this is the first one. His narration took me a little while to get used to, but it grew on me steadily and and throughly enjoyed his presentation in the end. Very well read.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No this wasn't possible as it was a long book, and it contained a lot of factual detail and historical reference. If I had 20 hours free one day I certainly would have tried.

Any additional comments?

I would like to compliment the author Will Bagley on a magnificient acheivement in writing this book. It was absolutely brimming with well researched details, and seemed very even handed in both it's criticisms of the massacre and it's considerations on the events to lead to it. Anyone with the slightest inerest in LDS history or older US history in general should defiately read this book. Brilliant.

This is an unbiased review given in exchange for a copy of the above book.

Uncomfortable History

Thorough review of an unfortunate historical event that happened when the LDS church was young. Bagley offers conclusion to answerable questions, and possible solutions to the, thus far, unanswerable questions. Unreachable evidence exists, behind locked doors.

The Mormons are shown to be complicit in the execution of the Mountain Meadows massacre.

This book goes into great detail to help the reader understand many of the facets of the Mountain Meadows massacre.

This book is very well done.

The Narrater has a strong and very strident voice, it was hard to listen to the book entirely done in this strong strident voice.

Amazing and hard story to listen to,

While history is often not pretty, what we don't learn from we are doomed to repeat. I personally am amazed given it's history that anyone is a member of the Morman church...

Great subject, ok performance

The subject matter is absolutely fascinating this is the third book I have read on the topic. The performance is a bit lackluster. The narrator has a monotonous voice with very little inflection that makes portions of the book hard to get through. The biggest fault is the mispronunciation of pretty basic words. I found myself wondering why they didn’t go back and correct the errors. I will be listening to this again and again despite these difficulties with the performance.

Subject matter is intriguing, narrator miscast

Narrator was a bit too "folksy" and made the book seem less academic. He also mispronounced "Kanab."

balanced and fair

I enjoyed the book. the narrator miss pronounced some of the distinctly Mormon words (Limhi and others) but I love his tone and accent. the author seemed to include all the facts at hand at the time and explained them in plain terms without an attempt to divert blame.

Great book about a sad story

If you could sum up Blood of the Prophets in three words, what would they be?

damn crying shame

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that so much of it takes place in the area that I live.

What does Charles Henderson Norman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narration was really good, and made it seem first hand.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no, not really

Any additional comments?

This is such a sad story that more people should know about. It was especially interesting for me, as I live in this area. It was something I had always heard of, but didn't know many details about. I learned so much about this area, and the history of my town.

I don't like being shouted at !

I have only listened to half an hour of this and I can't take any more. I don't mind being talked to, but I won't take being lectured at in a hectoring voice for 20 hours. I will be returning the book and buying something I can listen to without feeling bruised.

Fascinating analysis of a concealed atrocity

A harrowing but timely reminder of the ever present dangers of zealotry, bigotry and arrogance. Mr Bailey has done AN important service for the USA and the world in presenting this harrowing event and it's continuing resonance. A catalogue of "fake news" and "alternative facts" from 9 / 11 (1857) laid bare for all to shudder at.