Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

by Jon Krakauer
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Technical
  • ID: 2592
  • Added: 2025-10-15
  • Updated: 2025-10-15
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Sam Anne Elizabeth's Blog · Sam Anne Elizabeth · 2024-04-02
fascinating 5.00

The book is praised for its detailed and jarring portrayal of brutality, making it both fascinating and sad. The reviewer finds the narrative compelling despite its disturbing content.

Sam Anne Elizabeth's review highlights the book's detailed and often brutal descriptions, which she finds both fascinating and distressing. She appreciates the depth of the research and the way Krakauer presents the story, making it both engaging and thought-provoking. While the brutality described is jarring, she believes the book's overall exploration of faith and violence is well worth the read. The reviewer also notes that the book's emotional impact is significant, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Quick quotes

    It was very detailed in the description and the brutality of it was jarring.

    That aside, the rest of the book was fascinating if not sad and at times heartbreaking.

    The book's emotional impact is significant, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

The Guardian · 2022-04-29
chilling 4.00

The book delves into the disturbing connection between faith and violence, highlighting how religious beliefs can lead to extreme actions. It also critiques the LDS church's handling of its historical ties to violent acts.

This review from The Guardian explores how Jon Krakauer's book sheds light on the dark side of religious extremism. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the investigation into how faith can be manipulated to justify violence, particularly within the context of the LDS church. They also note the book's critical examination of the church's efforts to obscure its historical connections to violent acts, providing a nuanced look at the complexities of religious belief and its consequences. The reviewer finds the book compelling and thought-provoking, though they might have appreciated even more context on the broader implications of these events.

Quick quotes

    Krakauer's book investigated how gruesome violence could be committed in the name of faith, and how the LDS church obscured its ties to the ...

    The book is a meticulous and chilling exploration of the darker aspects of religious belief.

    It's a stark reminder of how dangerous unchecked faith can be.

Reddit - r/mormon · 429-03-20
reductive 2.00

The book is criticized for being reductive in its portrayal of religion as inherently violent, with the reviewer finding Krakauer's treatment of the issue insensitive. They argue that the book oversimplifies complex religious beliefs.

This Reddit review takes issue with the book's portrayal of religion, particularly Mormonism, as inherently violent. The reviewer feels that Krakauer's approach is reductive and insensitive, failing to capture the nuances of religious beliefs. They argue that the book oversimplifies complex issues and does not adequately address the broader context of the events described. While the reviewer acknowledges the book's thorough research, they believe it falls short in providing a balanced and respectful examination of the subject matter.

Quick quotes

    The book is reductive in saying religion and Mormonism specifically is inherently violent.

    Krakauer's treatment of the issue is insensitive and does not capture the nuances.

    The book oversimplifies complex issues and does not provide a balanced examination.

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