Rating: 
Summary: This Is The Best Book If You Are Curious About Us
Review: The best book about the LDS church remains Leonard Arrington and Davis Bitton's 1979 "The Mormon Experience" which is still unmatched in its depth of insight. But if you are curious about Mormons and looking for a readable new book about them this is what you want. Someone has said that every reporter who visits Salt Lake for the 2002 Olympics with be carrying "Mormon America" as a handbook for local culture. That's probably accurate. The Ostlings wrote the recent cover story on the church for TIME magazine and have greatly expanded it for this effort. Anyone who believes the sterotype of Mormons as brain-dead religious fundamentalists are in for a shock when they read this first-rate journalism. The Ostlings write with great empathy about the complexity of life for people who take religion seriously. The chapters on our intellectual culture are as balanced as anything I've read on that subject. The sections on practice are accurate, too. The Ostlings come very close to revealing what it's like on the inside--they ultimately fail to catch what it really feels like, however, because of the ultimately unbridgeable gap between description and the indescribable faith that lies at the heart of a believer's life. That's not really their fault of course--it's like trying to describe in words what the color "blue" is like. Orthodox Judaism has gotten a lot of respectful attention recently because of the nomination of Sen. Joseph Lieberman for vice-president. Many reporters have revealed a new sensitivity about how devout people live. The Ostling's book should be considered at the forefront of this new attention to the relationship of faith and American culture.
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Summary: The Place to Learn About a Uniquely American Religon
Review: For those unfamiliar with the literature of Mormonism, a great deal of the history and biography related to Mormonism is what is called " faith-promoting," that is to say written by Mormon apologists to further their particular viewpoint. Other literature may be regarded as "anti-Mormon," in that it has an agenda in opposition to the Mormon church. This volume occupies the middle ground. It presents Mormon history and principles fairly. It is an astounding story, one worth reading even if you have no interest in the religion. If you read one book on American religon this year, this should be the one.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating and well-researched book
Review: This is a most interesting book which looks at the history and practices of the Mormon church. The book starts with Joseph Smith and the founding of the church. The book looks at the structure, finances, and practices of the church. It also examines ex-Mormons. Although the author is not Mormon, I found his approach very balanced. If you want a great overview of the church (along with references to numerous other sources where you can find out further information), this is a book you should definitely check out.
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Summary: Mormon America: The Power and the Promise
Review: Some years ago, I was fortunate to have an extended conversation with the late Bill Whisner, a beloved philosophy teacher at the University of Utah. One point we agreed upon was the need for a book that detailed the the interworkings of the Mormon Church and the rest of Salt Lake City. "Whiz" passed away last winter, and I am uncertain whether his health in those last days permitted him to read this book. I do feel safe in speculating that he would agree with me Mormon America comes close to filling this void. I suppose it's ironic the book's precept includes all of America, an indication of the growth of the power and numbers of the LDS Church. As a lifelong Salt Lake resident and non-Mormon descendant of Mormon pioneers (and polygamists), I'll vouch for the accuracy and sensitivity of the authors' presentation of my hometown's microcosm which is extending outward into the rest of the country. I recommend this book for those seeking an introduction to and understanding of Mormon issues and the Mormon people. In reading other reviews, I'm not surprised there are a number of accusations of bias coming from those who doubtless count themselves most faithful among the faithful. The issues involving Mormonism are often polarizing, much as disputes between fundamentalists and moderates are elsewhere in the world. Too, there are those among the anti-Mormon constituency who consider themselves gravely injured by their encounters with the religion. From my perspective they sometimes resemble junkyard dogs, which is a tragedy. I have some compassion for these sorts; I've probably spent my share of time among the weeds and automobile bones. What has been lost on both sides, however, is an appreciation of the virtues of the other. I consider myself fortunate to have lived and worked among Mormons long enough to set aside much of my frustration and anger. Nevertheless, I'm still troubled by freedom of thought issues and the church's actions in suppressing historical inquiry. The excommunication of individuals such as D. Michael Quinn appear to me to be areas where history will hold it accountable. Mormon America nicely details this conflict, and if there appears to be an over-reliance on Quinn's writings, it ought to be taken as a tribute to the thoroughness of his work. As a result, this volume should take its place among the bulwarks against attempts to suppress and rewrite history, something for which the modern LDS Church has demonstrated a marked propensity. The recent PBS documentary, An American Prophet, is the most pronounced and frightening effort. Funded in large part by the Marriot Corp., whose founder was a Mormon as is its current leadership, the Joseph Smith portrayed is hardly human. Also, the conflict that gave rise to his murder, the Smith-ordered destruction of a rival Nauvoo newspaper and printing press operated under the aegis of then First Presidency member William Law, is hidden beneath the guise of religious persecution. This last statement will certainly convince the faithful I am firmly in Satan's grasp, something my neighbors have known for years. I'm doubtful any of my prose could convince them otherwise, and I prefer to avoid pretense. I'll close with a couple of minor complaints which I offer with hopes they will be corrected in a revised edition. The first error occurs in the introduction describing the Salt Lake temple as though it were fashioned of marble; everyone here knows the temple is made of granite, a fact Mormons can point to as evidence of the depth of their forefathers' faith. Granite is much harder and far more difficult to work with than marble. The second occurs in the name of a Nauvoo policeman and Smith bodyguard who is identified as Daniel Carn. Samuel W. Taylor's outstanding Nightfall at Nauvoo (if there are any in the publishing business reading this, why was this book allowed to go out of print! ) gives his name as Daniel Garn, and I'll wager this is correct. Garn is a more common surname in these parts. These are small matters, of course, but the book is so good these matters deserve correction.
Rating:
Summary: Well balanced, easy to read
Review: This is a must-read for those who would like to better understand the Mormon religion. The authors are top-notch researchers who have plenty of journalistic experience covering the LDS Church. They tackled this project with obvious objectivity, something that is difficult to keep when approaching the religion from a certain theological bent (pro or con). There is only one reason why I am giving this book just 4 stars (if 4 1/2 stars were possible, this is what I would have given it): There were no footnotes, and the few endnotes were very difficult to follow. Since the authors (publisher?) apparently did not want this to be considered a research book (would sales really suffer because footnotes are present?--I think not), the sources of the information (including quotes) were impossible to trace. There were times I was very curious about the origin of the research, but I was left wondering just where the information came. Other than that, I highly recommend Mormon America to those who are just curious about the Mormon religion and its unique history and teachings.
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Summary: Very Informative
Review: Mormon America is a candid umbiased view of the Mormon religon. It will be an interesting book for non-Mormons and Mormons alike.
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Summary: Ron's review of MORMON AMERICA The Power and the Promise
Review: Mormon America The Power and the Promise gives an unbiased, highly accurate, concise version of the Polygamy, Missionary Program, Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, Mormon Politics, etc. As a returned missionary and graduate of BYU, it is hard to find a middle ground, but this book comes the closest in a long time to doing that.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as balanced as they claim it is.
Review: The book starts out promising and has great potential. However, the authors seemed to have gotten stuck telling one side of the story. They started out very balanced especially through the first few chapter but you can see a slow downward spiral into conclusions that are based on one-sided arguements. By the end of the book they are clearly siding with those who think the Mormon church is non-Christian, and evil. They do have a point though, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is different from the Apostate "mainline" christian churches out there because it teaches doctrines that were lost for centuries and that should be celebrated. The authors need to go back and tell more of the other side of the story in order to be what they claim to be--disinterested observers.
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Summary: Best Book Yet On the Mormons
Review: This is by far the best book yet written on the Mormons. Yes, I can see why Mormons wouldn't think so, because this book finally in one place tells the whole story -- from the history of the early Mormon church and Joseph Smith, to the more recent spins the church authorities put on Mormon doctrine. The book is very accurate and is must reading for any non-Mormon who has to deal with Mormons. This book, to the church authorities' chagrin, I'm sure, will be the reference text for all journalists covering the Salt Lake Olympics. But thanks to this book, the truth about the Mormons is easily available to all. This book is excellent.
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Summary: Fair View of the Mormons
Review: This is an excellent book for both Latter-Day-Saints as well as those outside the fold. It deals with the history of the Mormons as well as their beliefs and practices. Their are chapters dealing with the secret ritauls and their Masonic origins, polygamy (which continues to be practiced by a minority of Mormons today despite the threats of excommunication), Mormon business practices, history, the Book of Mormon, families, beliefs, lifestyle, peculiarities, tithes, splinter groups, discipline, central control and so on. The authors do their best to remain objective and present the facts as they are without judging them one way or the other, allowing the reader to judge for themselves. I think that most Mormons will not like this book as it has ample evidence of the corrupt history of the church as well as many of the more unsavoury aspects of Mormonism. All the same, the authors do not dismiss the faith and try to emphasize the good to be found in it as well as the sillier aspects. A bit greater discussion of Mormon theology would have been appreciated, as the historical aspects of any religion are largely irrelevant to the religious life of contemporary adherents, but on the whole, an excellent read for heathens like me and Latter-Day-Saints as well.
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