The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion, Book 1

The Mormons

By: David Fitzgerald

Narrated by: David Smalley

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

The next time that squeaky clean pair of LDS elders comes knocking on your door, they're in for a surprise! Find out the secrets the Mormon Church would rather you didn't know (and for which they paid plenty of money to keep hushed up unsuccessfully!)

In this first book of The Complete Heretic's Guide to World Religion series, historian and award-winning atheist author Dave Fitzgerald takes us behind the Salt Lake curtain for a glimpse at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and answers your questions: Where did this multi-billion dollar tax-exempt corporation come from? Did Joseph Smith really sleep with all those women? Are the Mormons going to take over the whole world, and if so, is there any way to stop them?

But that's not all! Learn about the bizarre, oxymoronic world of Mormon archeology and discover their strange beliefs - not just all the crazy stuff you already know, but all the truly twisted things you never even suspected - including the astounding shocking skeletons rattling around in the closet of the Mormon church hierarchy.

Don't miss out on this fun, informative and painstakingly researched historical romp by the highly praised and award-winning author of Nailed: Ten Christian Myths that Show Jesus Never Existed at All. So when the missionaries show up on your doorstep, you'll have plenty to discuss with them.... Later days, Saints!

The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion. Because religion isn't just wrong. It's hilarious.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2013 David Fitzgerald (P)2013 Dogma Debate, LLC

Detailed breakdown of Mormon religion

Great overview with historical events that explains the creation, evolution & present state of the Mormon faith. I learned many new fascinating details about the structure of Mormon scriptures.

Very informative

While not an atheist, I enjoyed this book and found it very informative. I knew very little about the history of the Mormon church and what they actually believe.

The weak link is the narrator.

Fitzgerald did an incredible amount of research for this. He puts it together well, he's as respectful and measured as he can be here. It is a great cultural history and examination. The only weak link is Smalley's narration. On his podcast he's effective and articulate. Reading a prepared work, he is at times stilted and clumsy. He outright pronounces a few words just plain wrong, and he continues to do so throughout the work. It can be a bit distracting.

Simply Outstanding

This was my first Fitzgerald book in audio format and I truly enjoyed its deconstruction of the Mormon cult. The author does not criticize the character of the "saints" themselves, but rather relegates them to the victims that they have been schooled to be.

Nicely Done!

exceptionally good.

very thorough, informative and enlightening. I am going to listen to it again because it was so good.

ExMormon

What does David Smalley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love David Smalley and especially his podcast!

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

It was great--I knew a lot of the info, some was new, and some was shocking!!

Any additional comments?

As a professional who uses a mic daily, pronunciation of words is so important!!! I was shocked to hear words mis-pronounced--but I still loved David's reading--nice voice, great pace!!!

The lunatic movement that gave rise to Scientology

What made the experience of listening to The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

well documented facts

What did you like best about this story?

that it is true, and that it reveals so much about the ethical and character failings of our forefathers. Also, that it is an obvious template for L Ron Hubbard's lunatic Scientology narrative of Xenu and his other crazy stories, that constitute Scientology's so-called theology, and also the CoS business model of 'tithing', by cash or slavery.

Which character – as performed by David Smalley – was your favorite?

Joseph Smith, Jr.

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

It is disturbing that a lecherous, thieving liar like Joseph Smith, Jr., was able to attract any following at all. As to whether this is a Christian religion - read his own words that there is no one God - Mormonism is a polytheistic religion! A total rejection of the Abrahamic tradition.

Amazing review of history

As a former Mormon, I can honestly say that Mr. Fitzgerald did an amazing job of presenting the complicated history of Mormonism. He had an impeccable way of presenting history, making it incredibly entertaining. Thanks for your time in putting this together.

Very informative.

This book was very cathartic. It brought together all the nagging doubts all Mormons have, and tied them up in a neat little package. I particularly enjoyed the advice on how to talk to "true believing Mormons" about their faith. The Matrix reference was quaint, but the rest was useful.

Great book! terrible narration...

I love David Fitzgerald. I read "Nailed" a couple of years ago and it was an eye-opener. I have never really been religious, but that book put me in touch with my real skeptical heart and changed to way I look at Christianity and religions in general.

I was really looking forward to starting this book, and it did not disappoint. Fitzgerald is funny and witty, but he pulls no punches. His excellent scholarship and deep research were evident from the start.

Being a devotee of comparative religious study, I was delighted at the depth of description of LDS theology, and history of the church. I've learned quite a bit over the years about Mormonism, but there was a lot of information here that was new to me. Fun read!

Now for the bad news. David Smalleu was not the right choice for narrator. Though I'm sure his podcast is great and all, he had a really hard time with this narration. Mispronunciation is a real pet peeve of mine. I know it's often just a mistake or comes from unfamiliarity with the material, so even with the degree to which it sends me up a wall, I try to be charitable. There is a point at which I can't stand it anymore, and every mispronounced name or word is like walking a mile with sand in my shorts. The words and names Smalley mispronounced were not unusual or obscure. They were things like the names of major U.S cities and common nouns that are everyday things. The producer or director should have caught a lot of these, but didn'tfor some reason. Going by the number of mistakes still extant in the narration, the mind boggles imagining how many there must have been originally.

That said, let me sum up by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed Fitzgerald's writing, but thoroughly disliked the narration.

Also, I have read the 3rd book in Fitzgerald's Mything in Action series. Eventually, I plan to read the first 2 books in the series, but book 3 was specially recommended and after reading it, I understood why. Just saying, pick up any of this author's works. You will not be disappointed.