Rating: 
Summary: As close as you can get to Objectivity
Review: I don't believe an objective work is really possible, we are all influenced by our biases. However the Ostlings come incredibly close to being completely objective. I am very impressed. As a practicing member of the LDS church I believe there is value in reading works critical of the church or from faithful members. But it is refreshing, you get neither from this book, you get a nice modern, anthropological look at a faith that is growing very rapidly. The Ostlings do a great job of getting to the heart of the major issues within the faith such as the history of polygamy and the priesthood ban which used to be a part of the church. Their overview is broad and they don't take much time to make opinionated commentary. You will get a little doctrine, history, controversy and a lot of what makes this religion click in the contemporary world. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to non-members who want to read a book where the authors are not trying to convince you the church is false or trying to convert you. I recommend it to a member to get a nice perspective of how we appear to the outside onlooker.
Rating:
Summary: Accurate, respectful and fairly comprehensive
Review: The Ostlings generated a marvelous work that respectfully treats the "Mormon" experience and concisely condenses the LDS theology and contrasts it with "mainstream" Christianity. This book also does a great job of explaining how the LDS Church is indelibly American. I also believe that Richard Ostling has hit the nail on the head as he projects increasing LDS isolationism (intellectually and in general theological terms) following a number of ecumenical and exploratory decades. They show us a church of likeable, industrious people with a unique and colorful history which nonetheless offers a radically distinct theology in a well-presented and slickly sold package. I was LDS my first 40 years and am now Roman Catholic.
Rating:
Summary: The true Jesus
Review: A note to the gutless anonymous reviewer from Pacific Northwest.
The Jesus worshipped by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Jesus whose words are pure and undefiled in the Book of Mormon and also appear (in translated and abridged form) in the Holy Bible.
You obviously have not read the Book of Mormon. If you do, you will know (and can have it confirmed by the Holy Spirit through prayer) it is the word of God and teaches more about Jesus than any other book. If you do this with a sincere heart, you will realise your misunderstanding of the context of your quotes from LDS Leaders and the error of your ways.
Rating: 
Summary: Ostling = Quinn Lite
Review: Mormon America is an effort by two well-educated Protestants to describe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to other well-educated Protestants. While the book is tolerant and amused when it describes the members of the Church, there is no mistaking that the chapters which discuss the history and doctrines of the Church have a very strong viewpoint. That viewpoint is expressed through careful editing of the sources they quote, in classic journalistic fashion, rather than through the kind of direct argument that one would find in a typical anti-Mormon book. That viewpoint can be summarized as follows: "Mormons are nice, sincere, hard-working people who aren't very educated or bright or sophisticated about theological concepts, who are governed by a devious heirarchy of self-perpetuating leaders, while a small group of intellectuals tries, at the risk of its membership in the Church it loves, to lead the Mormons out of spiritual ignorance into the marvelous light of 21st-Century Christianity." In order to advance their thesis, the authors omit vast amounts of contrary evidence, such as the number of widely-published and highly-credentialed scholars at BYU who have advanced degrees in ancient history and languages and other fields relevant to the study of religion,and the fact that those Mormon scholars have made, within the last couple of decades, remarkable discoveries that reaffirm the accuracy of the many non-19th-Century features of the Book of Mormon (such as a knowledge of details of Arabian geography and place names; of vulcanology and earthqakes; of military tactics; of Egyptian personal names; of ancient Hebrew literary forms; and of ancient practices of preserving important records on metal plates hidden in stone boxes and other containers, just like the Book of Mormon itself). I think the bottom line is that, in light of the rapid growth of the Church around the world (currently around 11 million, projected to be 30 million in 20 years), the authors feel they need to undercut the authority of the Church's doctrines and history in order to combat its growing power and influence. At one point they express their wish for a modified Mormon Church that is just like a typical Protestant church, but then admit that such a change would probably halt the Church's rapid growth. I think they would be happy with either outcome. While they have clearly labored hard on this tome, they have also been very selective in what they report to their readers.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Balanced
Review: I grew up in Quincy, Illinois, which is a short drive away from Nauvoo, Illinois. Both of these towns would be familiar to anyone aquainted with Mormon history. Every time I drove past the Gardner Museum as a boy I remember seeing one the Sunstones from the original Mormon temple sitting out in the yard. I remember the wonderful television commercials that used to air all the time making some kind of moral point and finishing with the tag line "from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--the Mormons." I remember meeting a number of Mormons around town and in occasional trips to Nauvoo. I always remember thinking "what nice people." As I grew up, I learned quite a lot about theology. Though I've never felt the desire to leave my own church, my experience as a boy got me quite interested in Mormonism as a religious system. I've always wondered how people who were so strongly ethical could rationalize a theology that is often strange and inconsistent. Reading this book was a great help in clarifying some of my thoughts and experiences. The reason this book is so well done for a person with an intellectual bent towards religion is that it is balanced. The Ostlings are do not come across as either pro- or anti-Mormon. They present the information they have gathered and judge certain things about the Mormons positive and certain things negative. Many of their judgements mesh well with my own experiences with Mormonism. For example, they point out the strong family values that Mormons have as well as their incredible willingness to help others, particularly, though not exclusively, other Mormons. In fact, they have well-organized systems of relief for those who are suffering. Better, perhaps, than almost any other religion. In addition, they have a culture of service to their church that outstrips many others. On the other hand, despite the protests of many Mormon scholars, Mormon theology is clearly a break from any traditional understanding of Christianity. They have a system of revelation which, though not a problem in principle, makes for inconsistent theological development with which it can be difficult to deal. (I've never understood why people would believe that God spoke to prophets thousands of years ago but wouldn't now. Still, any prophet, I think, would have to meet a certain muster to be accepted by a large population.) Additionally, Mormons are clearly secretive and very conservative which causes a lot of tension not only with other religions but also with disenfranchised groups within their church. All of these aspects and more are clearly and deeply covered by the Ostlings in their book. Anyone with any interest in Mormons or Mormonism would be well-advised to read this book. It is a fair account not influenced too deeply by either side.
Rating: 
Summary: fair
Review: I have to give credit to the authors for their hard work. The book is excellent, especially the first chapters about Mormon History. I dont agree with everything in this book, but I have to admit it is a fair depiction by authors who are not LDS. I find a good portion of the information accurate, though a few subjects not explained correctly or fully. This is as good as it gets from non members. They were not hateful, or mean. They told it as they understood it.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth Shall Set You Free
Review: This work is by far the most thorough and thought-provoking work on the LDS church I have ever read. Each chapter deals with a subject regarding the LDS Church (history, theology, famous members, etc) and is meticulously detailed in presenting both sides of each issue (LDS and "Gentile", or those not within the LDS church). I think this book is a MUST READ for ANYONE who seeks to know the truth behind facade of Mormonism (for example, outwardly teaching doctrines a long the line of monotheism, yet believing in a hierarchy of gods). This book is easy to read, very well edited, and comes with references that deal with each chapter in the Endnote section... Bottom line: Mormons and non-Mormons should read this book in order to receive an unbiased, well researched, and extensive look at Mormonism. I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to ALL who may potentially join the LDS Church due to the fact that many of the doctrines of the church (which are mentioned in this book although secretly taught) are not taught until you become a member, which will give the seeker an impartial look at the LDS church and its doctrines before joining (and consequently facing the threat of eternal damnation if one decides to leave, which is the church's consequence for leaving). Of course, Mormons will dismiss this book as being "anti-Mormon" simply because the book questions their doctrines... However, this only brings to light the extent of control the LDS Church has over its members in dismissing this work as "anti-Mormon", when in fact, it is not.
Rating:
Summary: Great overview of the Mormon Church: Beginning to Present
Review: This book was very well researched and seemed to be quite objective in its presentation of Mormon history, beliefs,values, controversies, and politics. I found this book to be fascinating and it certainly helped me to respect many of the positive values that the Church promotes and why Mormons are so successful in life. The book also made me wonder how Mormons, with all of their education and success (i.e., Bill Marriott of Marriott Hotel chain, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, among many others, can so seemingly unquestionably believe that the church is "the only true church" when their are so many obvious, well known and documented inconsistencies in the values the church were founded on and what is practiced and believed today. For example, the polygamy question, and the belief that people of dark skin color are born inferior. Regarding polygamy, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon which specifically instructs men to take only one wife, yet did not obey the very commandments he himself translated!! In fact, he had a "revelation" from God supporting the practice of polygamy!!! Also, it seems too obvious that under political pressure from the rest of American society these controversial practices and beliefs are simply swept under the rug by "revelations" by the President/Prophet of the Church of the time. However, this book also enlightened me to the very positive things that Mormons do to strengthen families. Fascinating book!! Fully recommend it!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Millennium Study of a Native American Religion
Review: Richard and Joan Ostling's "Mormon America" is a valuable addition to the growing shelf of books about the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I recommend it enthusiastically to those who want a single-volume survey that is both balanced and perceptive in its analysis of the LDS church and its members. The main focus of the book is on the status of the church at the end of the millennium: its organization, leadership, finances, theology, worldwide growth, as well as its controversies. Nevertheless the Ostlings include sufficient historical background, based on the latest research, to provide context for their portrait of the church as it is today. That portrait began as a 1997 TIME magazine cover story written by Richard Ostling and Sam Gwynne. They were permitted unprecedented access to top church officials. The fruit of good interviewing and Gwynne's extensive research into church finances are two of the strengths of the book. It is rich in quotes from LDS President George Hinckley and other church officials, but also contains enlightening comments by ordinary church members, missionaries in the Bronx, excommunicated dissidents, and officials of the splinter Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Ostling is a journalist who specializes in reporting on religion. This shows in the book's broad perspective when, for example, it compares the LDS missionary program with those of Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic church. The Ostlings have done an excellent job of melding a concise history of the origins of the LDS religion and it 19th century travails into their depiction of it at the end of the 20th century. As when they describe an intersection in Independence, Missouri where three competing branches of Mormonism have put up buildings on opposite corners to commemorate the site where Joseph Smith prophesied the second temple of Zion would be constructed in the last days. This leads into a survey of the numerous claimants to Joseph Smith's role as prophet and the splinter organizations they founded. Historical details illuminate the controversies that have swirled around the church from its inception to the present day, i.e. the sources of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham, polygamy, the question of multiple gods in LDS theology, the Hoffman manuscript fraud, and the status of blacks, women and dissenters in the church. In discussing historical events the Ostlings quote 19th century diaries and memoirs of church members, church records, and contemporary newspaper accounts -- drawn from the works of both Mormon and non-Mormon historians. The current church interpretation of those events is also presented, when relevant. Endnotes rather than footnotes are used to identify the sources used for each chapter. There are appendices and a substantial bibliography for those seeking more information. The book refers frequently to recently published work by the historians and researchers who had access to long-restricted church archives while working for Leonard J Arrington, official church historian 1972-82. Several, like D Michael Quinn later published their controversial findings at great personal cost (excommunication and/or loss of teaching position).
Rating: 
Summary: Objective Tp A Point
Review: This book offers a neophyte to the Mormon religion and people a good deal of insight and a great dealof accurate historical data though that data is sometimes sanitized or abridged. It is well written and easy to understand. Very objective through most chapters and quite informative. It does become apologetic both for and against the Church Of latter Day Saints thus losing objectivity and credibility along the way. It seems tha authros were trying too hard to be objective and thereby muddled their message. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone just starting their research into Mormonism. It's objectivity, thought limited and historical accuracy make it a great place to begin.
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