Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Book of Mormon: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books)
Late one night in 1823 Joseph Smith, Jr., was reportedly visited in his family's farmhouse in upstate New York by an angel named Moroni. According to Smith, Moroni told him of a buried stack of gold plates that were inscribed with a history of the Americas' ancient peoples, and which would restore the pure Gospel message as Jesus had delivered it to them. Thus began the un...more
Hardcover, 232 pages
Published
April 2012
by Princeton University Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
73)
Paul Gutjahr's book is an interesting bibliographic history of the Book of Mormon, including its effect on the wider American cultural milieu. This is effect is, speaking generously, negligible. Gutjahr does his absolute best to situate the Book of Mormon in a wider context, but outside of its effect on religious believers and detractors, he has to try too hard to demonstrate cultural impact. A movie here, a play there do not indicate wide cultural interest or acclaim, especially in the niche-ce...more
Oct 30, 2012
Sharon
added it
Sometimes a book is a pleasure to read simply for how well it accomplishes its assigned task. Gutjahr's book is one in Princeton's new series of "biographies" of significant books. It is short, engaging, and presents a large historical subject clearly and concisely, providing the reader with a general outline of the book's history and suggesting sources in which to find more detail.
Gutjahr's book would be ideal for covering the history of the Book of Mormon in a class that included both Mormons...more
Gutjahr's book would be ideal for covering the history of the Book of Mormon in a class that included both Mormons...more
This is a fairly interesting, very quick and easy read that gives some new information on the publication and dissemination of The Book of Mormon over its short life. The part about the translation process was especially interesting, and there was some intriguing history about the way the Book of Mormon has been used in General Conference addresses, etc. It was very readable and would serve as a nice little primer for someone who is perhaps curious about the most important book of scripture used...more
This book is part of a new series published by Princeton University Press called Lives of Great Religious Texts, in it the author Paul Gutjahr presents an evenhanded “biography” of the Book of Mormon. I found it to be a great overview, it is surprisingly comprehensive for such a short book. He includes a description of the Book of Mormon's origin, history of revisions, controversies, translations (currently 109 languages and counting), cultural influences, artistic portrayals, schismatic groups...more
Just published by the Princeton University press, this brief volume focuses much less on the content of The Book of Mormon than on its publishing history which is indeed remarkable. Though I've read The Book of Mormon many times I learned several new things from this author, especially from its final chapters. My one criticism would be that for a professor of English at Indiana University it is odd that this author ignores the impact of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith on Herman Melville. Whi...more
Aug 08, 2012
David
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to David by:
Princeton University Press for review
A very good introduction and summary of the Book of Mormon as a religious artefact. Generally informative and quick read, although there are a couple of things that are debatable, such as the importance of the book in missiology in the British Isles in the nineteenth century (or lack thereof), (p.101) the renaming of the Church to its present name in 1838, as well as the prior 1834 change that omitted 'Jesus Christ' from its usage rather than 1833 as the author suggested. (p.77) as well as the a...more
This was a fair and balanced overview of the Book of Mormon by a non-LDS (Latter-day Saint) author. Since I'm LDS I didn't think I was going to learn too much, since I've grown up hearing the story of the finding and translation of the book over and over again. I was wrong though. It was fascinating to learn about the different official and non-official versions of the book, the process of translation into other languages (a very streamlined and literal, word for word process) and the history of...more
This was a very interesting "biography" of the Book of Mormon. Gutjahr gives a great overview of the book's history up through the Book Of Mormon musical. The discussion of Mormonism's various branches was particularly interesting. We have become acclimated to the idea that Mormons are either polygamists or LDS, but this is an observation of only the largest and the most extreme. This book doesn't dwell on matters of doctrine and theology, but rather looks at the Book Of Mormon's literary and cu...more
A refreshing read for its respectful outside perspective and recognition of the Book of Mormon as not only a piece of literature worthy of study, but as a contribution to American history and culture. While there is some inaccurate wording, I, nonetheless, appreciate hearing the viewpoint of someone who is both not a Mormon and not antagonistic toward the Book of Mormon. Because Gutjahr is neutral and takes no interest in attempting to prove The Book of Mormon true or not, he is able to intellig...more
Quick read. The 1st chapter will be review to anyone who's grown up Mormon, and the 2nd just made me angry. But then Gutjahr got into some interesting stuff. I have actually ordered the comic book adaptation and the Easy-to-Read version, but I will never see the Book of Mormon Movie.
Also, I still want to pass around a sign up list in church to carpool to LA for the Book of Mormon Musical with check boxes: ( ) Attending ( ) Protesting.
Also, I still want to pass around a sign up list in church to carpool to LA for the Book of Mormon Musical with check boxes: ( ) Attending ( ) Protesting.
This is a well rounded book about the history of The Book of Mormon. It is informative and well put together.
The book follows the history of The Book of Mormon from it's conception to today's status. Paul C. Gutjahr has written a book that covers a lot of aspects of this religious test, but he does so in limited detail, which probably was his intention, to keep the book short and precise. I as usual would love more information and more details.
The book follows the history of The Book of Mormon from it's conception to today's status. Paul C. Gutjahr has written a book that covers a lot of aspects of this religious test, but he does so in limited detail, which probably was his intention, to keep the book short and precise. I as usual would love more information and more details.
A quick read, and a great summary of the history of The Book of Mormon (the book itself, not the history of the people described in it), including its revisions, illustrations (including Teichert and Friberg), pageants, scholarship (Hugh Nibley and FARMS, etc.), movies, plays, adjustments in missionary focus, and even action figures and comic books. I found the overview of Joseph Smith's life and early Church history to be interesting and I learned a few things.
Traces the history of the Book through its writing, revisions, adherents and detractors. Easy to read but informative.
Fun introduction for non-specialists by an accomplished historian.
I still don't get it.
Toothless.
May 09, 2013
Nancy
marked it as to-read
Mar 19, 2013
Darryl
marked it as to-read
Feb 11, 2013
Kate Irwin-smiler
marked it as to-read
Nov 28, 2012
Danny Klopovic
marked it as to-read
Nov 13, 2012
K
marked it as to-read
Oct 30, 2012
Julia
marked it as to-read
Oct 29, 2012
Thom Foolery
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Mar 13, 2013 05:59am