reviews
Jun 04, 2009
Bruce
rated it: 
A short but fascinating book by an eminent historian (Bancroft prizewinner, emeritus Columbia University professor--also was my stake president when I first went to Harvard). It's mainly in the form of a diary he wrote after the publication of Rough Stone Rolling, his biography of Joseph Smith. The diary is not so much about his writing of the biography, though he does reflect some on that, as it is about the aftermath--book tours, lectures, his reactions to reviews in the New York Times, The Ne
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Jun 05, 2011
Nick
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This book is amazing on so many levels. It expands the treatment of Joseph Smith found in "Rough Stone Rolling," it examines the interplay between belief and scholarship, and it chronicles a heroic effort to bridge the gap between the spiritual and secular worlds. At times it was disheartening to read about the lack of empathy for Bushman's views in the academic community that Bushman tried to reach out to. While studying literature in the university, I've heard time and time again the
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May 18, 2009
John
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A great book on many levels. Here we get to see the mind of an author as he presents his greatest work thusfar to the world - "Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling". We are taken through the Q&A sessions, interviews, book signings, and his personal worries of his work's acceptance among peers, newspapers, academics, people curious about Joseph Smith, and mainstream Mormonism. Tucked in here are great little gems about his view of the cosmos, his faith, his take on tough questions, his
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Dec 25, 2009
Marcus
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I just like Richard Bushman. He's got a good head on his shoulders and puts forth a rational, yet believing perspective on the gospel. I've attempted several times to read Rough Stone Rolling and have yet to actually finish it. However, I think after reading On the Road with Joseph Smith I'll be ready to see it through to the end. In On the Road, Bushman recounts his experiences directly following the release of Rough Stone Rolling. Through this we get an insight into his thoughts and motiv
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Jul 26, 2008
Adam
rated it:
All biographies are written through the eyes of the biographer. They tell as much about the writer as the subject. Hence, biographies on Joseph Smith run the gamut of opinions. Bushman has his own, and this diary really helps to understand his thoughts on writing and promoting Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. It would be great if every biography (and history book, for that matter) came with a personal diary by the author like this one. History is not a set of facts, it is a story told by someo
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May 26, 2008
Karen
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I have not yet read Rough Stone Rolling, but this proved to be a good introduction to that book. This book is made up of entries from the author's diary regarding the roll out of his book, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. I especially liked the letter he included at the beginning expressing puzzlement over Christians' request for evidence of the Book of Mormon's historical events. He questions the absolute need for evidence from people who purport to believe in the spiritual events of the B
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Jan 09, 2008
Rachel
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I devoured this book without even really meaning to. I was enjoying it so much that each night I would try to make myself just read a little before bed, but by the third night it was finished. It's a diary that Richard Bushman, author of the Joseph Smith biography Rough Stone Rolling wrote after the book's publication. It was so fascinating to me on so many levels. Here's why:
1) I just really like Bushman as a person. He's so humble and honest and it's interesting to see how he feels revel More...
1) I just really like Bushman as a person. He's so humble and honest and it's interesting to see how he feels revel More...
Sep 26, 2009
Andrew
rated it:
I really enjoyed experiencing Richard Bushman's joys and struggles almost firsthand as his book Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling was published and began to be read and reviewed. I especially loved some of the insights he gained along the process on our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Oct 29, 2010
Hugh
rated it: 
I found this book very interesting as the author journaled the year following the completion of the book Joseph Smith - Rough Stone Rolling. It was interesting to learn about the reactions to the book by church leaders, church members and non-members and the literary community.
Dec 11, 2008
Angela
rated it:
A little gem illuminating the mind of an author as his book--perhaps his magnum opus--is published, purchased, reviewed, panned, lauded. Throughout, it addresses the question of how outsiders view Mormons--apparently more skeptically than we thought.
Jan 24, 2009
Russell
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Very interesting insights on the authors reaction to the reviewers of the book, "Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling" and ways that he would consider changing Rough Stone Rolling so that his testimony of Joseph Smith was more obvious.
Jan 05, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
This book is a journal of Richard Bushman who wrote Joseph Smith a Rough Stone Rolling". Bushman writes about his worries and anxieties about the book before it comes out, etc. He describes his book tours, his experiences travelling and giving talks throughout the country. I enjoyed this book because I loved Rough Stone Rolling so much, and understand the controversy that has resulted with the non-believers and the academic population. I myself want it to be received by all and I sympathize
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May 12, 2008
Lotte
rated it:
This is a delightful book on many levels. Probably best read after reading Rough Stone Rolling, this author's diary begins shortly before publication of that book. Insights into Richard Bushman's character and personality, the making of Rough Stone Rolling and its reception, and quotes from several emails and interviews make this well worth a read!
Sep 11, 2008
Rae
rated it:
I picked this up after reading Rough Stone Rolling which is Bushman's bio of Joseph Smith. In this short book, he tells what it was like to be on the book tour for Rough Stone Rolling and gives it to the reader in journal form. I loved this little book! It added so much more insight to his works.
Jan 19, 2010
Will
rated it:
Heard (or read?) an interview where Bushman talked about this book. It's essentially a narrative of his experience (with colleagues at Columbia, the media, members of the LDS community, etc.) writing his new biography of Joseph Smith. He mentioned some pretty interesting experiences.
Feb 12, 2008
Maryanne
rated it:
Interesting insight into Richard Bushman's dealing with his biography of Joseph Smith-- his fear of rejection from both believers and non-believers I found really, well, real. I just enjoyed getting that author's perspective on what happens after a book is published.
Jan 16, 2008
Brent
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Well, now I guess I'll have to read Rough Stone Rolling after this interesting journal of the author's experiences in producing the book and responding to reviews.
Sep 11, 2008
Jeannie
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Loved it. A great resource of how to articulate Mormon belief to those who have questions about it's founder.
Dec 02, 2011
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