Tells the remarkable story of how a new religion was born, developed amid persecution and hardship, and became one of the world's fastest growing faiths...Gives great insight into Mormon beliefs and the elaborate organization of community life that is a hallmark of the faith.--The Christian Science Monitor A well-rounded treatment that not only presents readers with the facts but also deals with questions that naturally arise...While emphasizing the strengths of Mormonism, the book also looks carefully at some of the controversies that have surrounded it...A strong resource for libraries.--Booklist A rich and sympathetic portrayal of what for a time was America's most persecuted religious minority.--The Wall Street Journal An engaging and accessible overview...An informative, sympathetic introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A major strength of this book is its graceful prose.--Religious Studies in Secondary Schools An admirable and objective history of the Mormon church../Invaluable for any reader wanting to learn something about the Mormon religion; even Mormon readers will find this book a very useful guide to their church's history.--VOYA A clear, concise, and unbiased account of Mormon history, especially as it relates to the issue of church and state. [The Bushmans] are honest about the number of disaffected Mormons and examine problems within Mormon history, such as the relationship with Native Americans....Serious treatment of the subject at hand in a way that makes [it] attractive for popular reading by combining text, photographs and original documents.--Library Journal
