Under the Banner of Heaven

by Jon Krakauer
Under the Banner of Heaven cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technical:
  • ID: 884
  • Added: 2025-09-21
  • Updated: 2025-09-21
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £11.99
Reviews
bookbrowse.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
thought-provoking 4.50

Jon Krakauer's 'Under the Banner of Heaven' explores the dark side of Mormon fundamentalism through the chilling story of the Lafferty brothers, who committed a brutal murder based on divine revelation. The book delves into the psychological and historical context of religious extremism, drawing parallels to global terrorism and raising questions about faith, violence, and the influence of scripture.

Jon Krakauer's 'Under the Banner of Heaven' is a gripping exploration of the violent undercurrents within Mormon fundamentalism. The book centers around the horrific 1984 murders committed by the Lafferty brothers, who believed they were acting on divine orders. Krakauer masterfully sets the stage by providing historical and scriptural context, illustrating how religious extremism can lead to acts of violence. The narrative is both chilling and thought-provoking, as it draws parallels between the Lafferty brothers and Islamic terrorists, raising important questions about the nature of faith and the fine line between religious fervor and insanity. The book is a powerful examination of how religious history and modern conditions can fuel extremism, making it a compelling read for those interested in the darker aspects of religious belief.

Quick quotes

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

    What drives people toward fundamentalism, and then toward violence?

    By setting Mormon fundamentalism in its historical and scriptural context, and by powerfully illuminating Dan Lafferty's mind, Krakauer provides enough raw material for a seminar on post-9/11 questions.

nytimes.com · Unknown · 2003-08-03
uneven 3.00

The review discusses the FX series adaptation of Jon Krakauer's book 'Under the Banner of Heaven,' which explores a murder within a Mormon family and the church's history. The series, while anchored by strong performances, struggles with its complex timeline and character development, ultimately feeling uneven and scattered.

The FX series 'Under the Banner of Heaven' attempts to adapt Jon Krakauer's comprehensive book into a six-episode format. The story revolves around the murder of Brenda Lafferty and her daughter, delving into the fundamentalist beliefs of the Mormon church. The series introduces a detective character, Jeb Pyre, to guide viewers through the events. While the performances, particularly by Wyatt Russell, are strong, the show struggles with its multiple timelines and the sheer amount of material it tries to cover. The narrative becomes scattered, and the character of Brenda Lafferty, who is central to the story, often feels sidelined. The series aims to capture the depth of the book but ends up feeling unwieldy and disjointed.

Quick quotes

    The author Jon Krakauer’s sweeping 2003 book Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith could be called, in today’s vernacular, true crime+.

    At first it seems that the series has wisely eschewed the history lesson aspect of the book and instead pared the narrative down to just this one discrete, terrible event.

    The series is, at least, anchored by solid performances.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2003-07-01
engaging 4.50

Jon Krakauer's book offers an exciting and hard-to-put-down exploration of the Mormon Church, particularly the FLDS sect, and religious fanaticism. It provides a historical analysis and raises questions about the equality of women and the unthinking worship of historical figures. The book is praised for its engaging writing and relevance, especially in the context of modern political and social issues.

Jon Krakauer's 'Under the Banner of Heaven' is a compelling read that delves into the history and beliefs of the Mormon Church, with a particular focus on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). The book is praised for its engaging narrative and well-researched analysis, offering a fresh perspective on a religion that many readers may not be familiar with. The story of the Lafferty brothers and their murderous actions serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of religious fanaticism. The book also raises important questions about the equality of women and the unthinking worship of historical figures like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Readers appreciate the book's relevance, especially in the context of modern political and social issues. The writing is described as heroic and thought-provoking, making it a significant read both in 2003 and today.

Quick quotes

    Jon Krakauer's book was exciting and hard to put down.

    An engaging and well-written historical analysis of the Mormon Church and its tenets as well as an exploration of religious fanaticism generally.

    Down right scary in places, but puts what you have always been thinking about organized religion into print.

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