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Rating: 
Summary: Another view of ol' Port
Review: Dewey does a defensive history of Rockwell, and does a good job of dispelling many of the myths. But like so many writers embracing LDS apologetics, he seems to be a frustrated lawyer, having an image of himself as Rockwell's latter-day defense council. He is too careful not to impugn the reputations of early church leaders, especially Joseph Smith. To understand just what faith-promoting history is, we should look at what Elder Boyd K Packer says about it: "That historian or scholar who delights in pointing out the weaknesses and frailties of present or past leaders destroys faith.... In the Church we are not neutral. We are one-sided." So we can see that a "one-sided" history is not comprehensive by any means. Dewey is definitely from the faith-promoting school of history, and writes as if "the Brethern" are looking over his shoulder. Because of this he has omitted significant discomfiture found in other Rockwell biographies. This less "faith-promoting" information would have been included if Dewey had adhered to principles followed by professional historians. However, because he did not, we are deprived of aspects more rounded but unfortunately more embarrassing to the LDS Church.
Rating:
Summary: Another view of ol' Port
Review: Dewey does a defensive history of Rockwell, and does a good job of dispelling many of the myths. But like so many writers embracing LDS apologetics, he seems to be a frustrated lawyer, having an image of himself as Rockwell's latter-day defense council. He is too careful not to impugn the reputations of early church leaders, especially Joseph Smith. To understand just what faith-promoting history is, we should look at what Elder Boyd K Packer says about it: "That historian or scholar who delights in pointing out the weaknesses and frailties of present or past leaders destroys faith.... In the Church we are not neutral. We are one-sided." So we can see that a "one-sided" history is not comprehensive by any means. Dewey is definitely from the faith-promoting school of history, and writes as if "the Brethern" are looking over his shoulder. Because of this he has omitted significant discomfiture found in other Rockwell biographies. This less "faith-promoting" information would have been included if Dewey had adhered to principles followed by professional historians. However, because he did not, we are deprived of aspects more rounded but unfortunately more embarrassing to the LDS Church.
Rating: 
Summary: A must read...for any reader
Review: I can't put this book down! Dewey does an excellent job of placing the reader back in time as he develops the amazing story that is the coming about and triumph over the persecutions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because there is little written about Rockwell, Dewey does a traffic job of taking the reader through the church's history through church archives and journals describing how Rockwell was present at many important events loved by members of the church. I give it 4 stars and say it is a must read for those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for those who would like to know more.
Rating:
Summary: Educational History of an Exciting Frontier Character
Review: There isn't much currently in print about good old Porter Rockwell, the "Avenging Angel." Like many frontier characters, the myth is a little more exciting than the publishable reality. OK, maybe he didn't execute innocent non-believers, but he was still on-site for many of the memorable events of early Utah-Mormon history. For a little more edgy interpretation, order the movie, "Avenging Angel."
Rating:
Summary: Educational History of an Exciting Frontier Character
Review: There isn't much currently in print about good old Porter Rockwell, the "Avenging Angel." Like many frontier characters, the myth is a little more exciting than the publishable reality. OK, maybe he didn't execute innocent non-believers, but he was still on-site for many of the memorable events of early Utah-Mormon history. For a little more edgy interpretation, order the movie, "Avenging Angel."
Rating:
Summary: A must read...for any reader
Review: This book is a poor, almost fictional attempt to chronicle the life of the infamous Orrin Porter Rockwell. While I'm sure Dewey's intentions were good, he did a bad job of presenting History.
His subject was a difficult one, Rockwell having left no diary. In addition, there are a few undetailed accounts of him in the official History of the Church to which he belonged. Most of the rest is speculation. Despite this lack of evidence, Dewey assumes that he knows Porter's mind and emotions on all occasions. How could he know that something "turned Porter's stomach" or "hit close to home" if Rockwell never left a journal?
Most of his biography is speculation. The bulk of the work is actually a brief overview of the history of the Mormon church, and Dewey just inserts Rockwell wherever he wants to. For example, he tells the story of a group of Mormons who, in 1838, went out to defend their Missouri homes. Dewey just assumes Porter was there, and says he was "probably riding at their head."
Toward the end of Rockwell's life, firsthand accounts of him become few and far between. In order to deal with this, Dewey simply lumps together all accounts and legends of Rockwell with no consistency or continuity whatsoever. The stories jump around, and each paragraph is an entirely new subject. This is very difficult to read, and does little besides give a collection of myths.
This book gets two stars because of Dewey's obvious sincerity. He is not a historian by trade, and it shows. His subject is a difficult one to write about, and Dewey managed to chronicle his life with some accuracy (despite all the speculation). If you want to read an interesting tale/legend about one of the most heroic Western lawmen, read this book. Just don't expect much in the way of historical accuracy.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing...
Review: This book is a poor, almost fictional attempt to chronicle the life of the infamous Orrin Porter Rockwell. While I'm sure Dewey's intentions were good, he did a bad job of presenting History.
His subject was a difficult one, Rockwell having left no diary. In addition, there are a few undetailed accounts of him in the official History of the Church to which he belonged. Most of the rest is speculation. Despite this lack of evidence, Dewey assumes that he knows Porter's mind and emotions on all occasions. How could he know that something "turned Porter's stomach" or "hit close to home" if Rockwell never left a journal?
Most of his biography is speculation. The bulk of the work is actually a brief overview of the history of the Mormon church, and Dewey just inserts Rockwell wherever he wants to. For example, he tells the story of a group of Mormons who, in 1838, went out to defend their Missouri homes. Dewey just assumes Porter was there, and says he was "probably riding at their head."
Toward the end of Rockwell's life, firsthand accounts of him become few and far between. In order to deal with this, Dewey simply lumps together all accounts and legends of Rockwell with no consistency or continuity whatsoever. The stories jump around, and each paragraph is an entirely new subject. This is very difficult to read, and does little besides give a collection of myths.
This book gets two stars because of Dewey's obvious sincerity. He is not a historian by trade, and it shows. His subject is a difficult one to write about, and Dewey managed to chronicle his life with some accuracy (despite all the speculation). If you want to read an interesting tale/legend about one of the most heroic Western lawmen, read this book. Just don't expect much in the way of historical accuracy.
Rating: 
Summary: A great, comprehensive history of Porter Rockwell
Review: This book is the best history of porter rockwell I have ever read. The author really had to do some research for this one. Port is one of the most interesting characters of early church history.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite history of the Mormons
Review: This book not only covers the most colorful person in Mormon history, it also provides a lot of background information about the pioneer period. Rockwell has been accused of being a horrible villian and lauded as the most effective lawman in the old West. This book does a good job of separating myth from fact. On top of that, it is also a very exciting book.
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