Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist

by Jess Keating and Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Technical
  • ID: 4769
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
wordsandpics.org · Unknown · 2025-10-22
compelling 4.50

Jon Krakauer's 'Under the Banner of Heaven' explores the dark side of religious fundamentalism through the story of the Lafferty brothers, who committed a brutal murder based on divine revelation. The book delves into the motivations behind faith-based violence and the blurred lines between religious zealotry and insanity.

Jon Krakauer's 'Under the Banner of Heaven' is a gripping exploration of the darker aspects of religious fundamentalism. The book centers around the chilling true story of the Lafferty brothers, who in 1984 murdered their sister-in-law and her daughter, believing it was a divine command. Krakauer provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the crime, the brothers' beliefs, and the broader context of Mormon fundamentalism. The narrative raises profound questions about the nature of faith, the descent into violence, and the historical and scriptural influences that shape religious extremism. Krakauer's powerful storytelling and in-depth analysis make this a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of religion and violence. The book also invites readers to reflect on the parallels between different forms of religious extremism, including those seen in Islamic terrorism, and the societal conditions that foster such beliefs.

Quick quotes

    Krakauer provides enough raw material for a seminar on post-9/11 questions.

    What drives people toward fundamentalism, and then toward violence?

    How heavy is the influence of religious history, in particular scripture, as opposed to the material conditions of modern life?

booksamillion.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
fascinating 5.00

The reviewer found 'Under the Banner of Heaven' by Jon Krakauer to be a fascinating and disturbing exploration of religious extremism and its consequences. They appreciated the detailed research and firsthand interviews, which provided a multifaceted view of the subject matter.

The reviewer was pleasantly surprised by 'Under the Banner of Heaven', finding it both fascinating and disturbing. The book delves into the brutal murder committed by the Lafferty brothers, which was driven by their extreme religious beliefs. The reviewer appreciated Krakauer's meticulous research and the way he intertwined historical context with personal interviews, making the complex history of the Mormon religion accessible and engaging. They found the exploration of the blurred line between religious belief and mental illness particularly thought-provoking. The reviewer also highlighted the story of DeLoy Bateman, a fundamentalist struggling to leave his faith, as a compelling narrative within the book. Overall, the reviewer was hooked by the book and gave it a high rating, praising its ability to challenge their understanding of faith and religion.

Quick quotes

    The scenes about the murder were hard to read. It was very detailed in the description and the brutality of it was jarring.

    Krakaur did a great job of not making it feel like a history lesson while teaching me so much.

    The descriptions of the crime were really hard to read. I sped through the rest of the book, but those passages slowed me down and made me step away.

harriscenter.org · Unknown · 2021-03-10
uneven 3.50

The review discusses the adaptation of Jon Krakauer's book 'Under the Banner of Heaven' into a TV series, highlighting its ambitious but uneven portrayal of a double murder by Mormon fundamentalists. The series explores themes of religious fundamentalism, institutional silence, and the subjugation of women, with strong performances by Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones.

The TV series 'Under the Banner of Heaven' is an adaptation of Jon Krakauer's 2003 book, focusing on a double murder by Mormon fundamentalists. The review notes that the series is ambitious but uneven, with a predominant feeling of dread throughout. The story follows detective Jeb Pyre's investigation into the murder of Brenda Lafferty and her daughter, revealing disturbing aspects of religious fundamentalism and the LDS church's history. The series attempts to translate Krakauer's sweeping book through multiple timelines, with the most successful being Pyre's investigation. The performances by Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones are particularly praised, as they capture the tension between faith and morals. However, the series struggles with focus and includes unnecessary historical distractions. Overall, the review finds the series discomforting and ominous, highlighting the church's protection of its reputation over its people.

Quick quotes

    The predominant feeling throughout Under the Banner of Heaven, an ambitious and uneven adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s 2003 nonfiction book, is dread.

    The series attempts to translate Krakauer’s sweeping book through the overused prestige TV trope of multiple timelines.

    The performances by Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones are particularly praised, as they capture the tension between faith and morals.

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