It’s a man’s world indeed

Under the Banner of Heaven


Jon Krakauer usually writes a brilliant narrative. ‘Into the Wild’ and ‘Into Thin Air’ were hard to put down.

This book, was not really so much about the horrific ritual murder of a baby girl and her mother, but more a vehicle to tell the story of the Mormon Church and its violent history.

To be honest I could barely contain my rage listening to hour upon hour about the horrendous injustices forced onto women and children by religious cults who claim to have ‘special knowledge’ of a god.

It’s patriarchy at its most deviant, exploitative, abusive, incestuous, self righteous, unaccountable, devious, criminal and arrogant. And worryingly, it seldom meets justice in this world.

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2 people found this helpful

Brilliant!

An extremely well researched book. The author has weaved together the awful murders along with the horrendous and violent history of the LDS and FLDS church.
What a ridiculous faith it is! Dreadful racism and misogyny along with child abuse…..ugh!
Listening to this 20yrs after it was written makes it even more interesting with what we now know of Warren Jeffs

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Excellent storytelling

Concise history and discussion of a disgusting crime and factors leading to it. Recording could have been edited to leave out the breaks from original describing discs or repeating lines when new “disc” used to start.

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Forensic look into fundamentalist Mormonism and its history and manifestation today

It’s really interesting and I understand better why polygamy still attracts Mormon followers. Also how religion was formed

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4.5 stars

4.5 Stars
Jon Krakauer’s Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith is a haunting, layered examination of faith, violence, and the dark sides of religious zealotry. Centered on the true story of Ron and Dan Lafferty, Mormon Fundamentalist brothers who claimed a divine commandment to murder, Krakauer’s account unearths the disturbing underbelly of a little-known, polygamist offshoot of Mormonism. While the book delves deeply into the horrific crime that these men committed, it also situates their actions within the wider historical and cultural landscape of Mormon Fundamentalism, connecting threads of belief, isolation, and obedience that shape these isolated communities.

Reading this after Prophet’s Prey by Sam Brower, where Krakauer’s insights were referenced, I was eager to explore more about Mormon Fundamentalism. The mix of crime and historical context in Under the Banner of Heaven offers a captivating yet disturbing perspective on these secretive sects. While Krakauer doesn’t present this work as “true crime” in the conventional sense, the story of the Lafferty brothers is woven through a larger historical tapestry that reveals the roots of religious extremism in the U.S.

Krakauer’s style provides a gripping exploration of these communities, but if you’re searching for a straightforward true crime account, this might not be what you expect. This book excels in exposing the beliefs and background that frame the tragedy, rather than focusing solely on the criminal investigation. I did find myself wishing for a bit more on the legal proceedings and trials, as well as more insights into the Lafferty family’s reactions, particularly that of Alan, whose perspective would have added even more depth.

If you’re fascinated by the history of the Mormon faith and its fundamentalist branches, and are curious about how this belief system could lead to such a chilling crime, Under the Banner of Heaven is a compelling, well-researched read that blends history and narrative masterfully. A solid 4.5 stars for its nuanced look into the intersection of faith and fanaticism.

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