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212th out of 528 books
—
544 voters
The Work and the Glory Collector's Set
All of the original work and the glory books in hardcover
Published
1998
by Deseret Book Company
(first published January 1st 1996)
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I am in debt to Gerald N. Lund for embedding in me a sincere desire to study and learn LDS Church history. During this 9-volume series, I believe I felt every emotion that can be felt during the "reading" experience.
On one small item, I am divided. While the activities and events discussed in this series did occur, and the actual even are written very well (outpouring of the Spirit at the Kirtland temple dedication, martyrdom of Joseph Smith, massacre at Haun's Mill, etc.), over the years my imp...more
On one small item, I am divided. While the activities and events discussed in this series did occur, and the actual even are written very well (outpouring of the Spirit at the Kirtland temple dedication, martyrdom of Joseph Smith, massacre at Haun's Mill, etc.), over the years my imp...more
As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and a practicing member of this most precious christian community since 1985 I had heard much of the history of the Church. I'd read the Book of Mormon. The Old & New Testaments. Other LDS scriptures known as Doctrine and Covenants (modern day revelation) and the Pearl of Great price (which includes the Book of Abraham found in the holy and confirmed by the church).
I'd heard the stories of the trials and tribulations. The incr...more
I'd heard the stories of the trials and tribulations. The incr...more
A great look into the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is historically accurate and covers a lot of the Church's basics. The main characters are a fictional family that the author places in this setting. I really enjoyed the whole series, the first few books are my favorites though because the Steed family gets bigger as the books go on and it's harder to follow all of the families. Great series, definitely worth reading!
I have read all of the Work and the Glory series. I enjoyed these books, because I love to learn about the LDS Saints. Through out the series there are some slow points, but I greatly enjoyed all of the books. I also love that after the first book Lund includes a section that allows you to read the actual historical events so you can differentiate what is real and what is fiction. I find this is very helpful in knowing the facts.
I'm a huge fan. I can't even say how many time's I've read this series -- probably at least once a year I get a 'Work and the Glory' itch.' I've always had kind of a crush on Nathan.... anyway. Everytime I make some kind of church history/doctrine comment Jeremey says 'did you learn that from Work and the Glory?' He's kind of a brat, but I love him ....
My dad talked me into reading this series and I'm so glad he did. It really got me interested in church history and even American history, despite the fact that it is based on a fictionalized family's interactions with real people from church history. Very entertaining and enlightening.
This was so fun to read! My husband and I read together and loved every minute of it. We were sad when we finished the last book. It really captures you and makes you feel like you know the characters. I would love to read it again some day.
Gerald Lund isn't a masterful writer but his excellent and extensive knowledge of Church history paired with his basically good writing makes this series an enjoyable read. The greatest value in these books are how they allow you to experience the founding and early growth of the LDS Church through the eyewitness account of a fictional family. Obviously some artistic license is taken when historical characters interact with fictional characters, but I think Mr. Lund did a great job of staying tr...more
I really enjoyed reading this series a few years back. It has some great information that I didn't know about church history AND it actually helped stregthen my thankfulness and reverence of the saints of the LDS chruch who sacraficed so much in the name of truth and religion. The story lines were easy to follow. It hooked me from the start. And the characters were so endearing. I actually begain to picture my own extended family while reading. Well worth the effort of reading all nine volumes.
Gerald N. Lund is not a great author and his writing style bored me to death. Also, his series is too formulaic. Concerning the "historical" aspects in the book, I was very disappointed. Lund replaces actual people with the Steeds and portrays a super-human Mormon family who is everywhere at everytime. The one redeeming thing about this series is that it gives an accurate timeline of Mormon history to his readers, specifically during the simultaneous Kirtland and Missouri portions.
This was the penultimate collection of books to introduce the story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to members and non-members alike. Gerald Lund's work was the first to cover such a broad scope and so much detail of the history of the people who migrated west set in novel form. There is plenty of historical fiction to keep one guessing about the real history. The characters are believable, and become friends before the series is finished.
This is mostly Mormon church history set to a fictional family as they grow through the trials and tribulations of being converted, cast out, and finally settled in a new place during the 1800's. It spans a few generations and is one of the greatest books I have ever read. It depicts life so beautifully and so tragically. I couldnt put them down. He truly could have written about this family clear up until modern day and I wouldnt have been bored for a minute.
I'm going to select the set of these books, although I'm unsure at which book I stopped reading. I liked the series, but didn't love them. They were interesting, but sometimes the conversations sounded forced. I think they got a bad rap because so many people were basing too much of their testimony on the books, instead of the scriptures. I did learn a lot from reading them.
I think I read the complete set. It's been too many years!
I think I read the complete set. It's been too many years!
Lund truly is amazing. My only qualm with this series is that eventually, the series has SO MANY characters and story lines going on, it was hard for me to keep track. Obviously now I remember even less. But I do remember how I felt when I read them... and that makes all 700 pages/book x 9 books worth it. And the other reason I didn't give the series 5* is because I'll probably never read this again. Its too big of a commitment.
I'm so glad I read these. They weren't necessary the greatest-written books ever (though I really loved the characters and the circumstances unique to them), but I learned so much about Church history. And I was left so often to really ponder certain principles and doctrine and how I feel about them, or how I live them. Very uplifting and I feel like these books left me better than before I read them.
If you haven't read this series you really should. I loved reading about the history of the church, and these books make it all seem much more personal. Personally, they strenghtened my testimony of several aspects of the church and I just loved reading them. I found the last book to be a little slow - I had a harder time finishing it but it was still good.
All 9 books are amazing. I read them about 3 times!! I believe my testimony of Joseph Smith is, in part, thanks to Gerald Lund. I love when authors can make history interesting to me....it's difficult to do!!! I believe in the concept of THE FAMILY. I love how the theme of these books focus on the GOSPEL and the FAMILY....two of my favorite things!!
The first books in teh series were great and there are a few that probably deserve 5 stars. But as they went on I found myself just trying to get through them. The last couple I simply read to have read all nine, but they dragged. It's great the way you can learn church history through this fictional family's life, it just gets to be too forced.
These are some of the best LDS-fiction books out there! They look daunting with their size, but they are a quick read- it's easy to get caught up with the characters. Some of my faith and testimony of the early pioneers is founded on the feelings and thoughts provoked by reading these books- a great find for anyone wanting a more spiritual read!
I've read this series twice now. Great look into the history of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints, even if a lot of it is fictional stories, it's a good look at some pioneer events. Good backbone and overview of the church's past. I loved all of the characters and feel like I know them personally.
I love these books and have read them multiple times. The first time for the story, the second and subsequent times for the history. Gerald Lund is one of my favorite writers. He has a gift for weaving fiction that goes along so well with history that you forget the Steed family lives only on page.
I have read this whole series 3 times. (big feat for 9 large books). I love the historical fiction. Enjoy that the author tells you, at the end of the chapters, what was true and who it really happened through. You get to experience LDS history through the eyes of a family you love. Brings history alive.
I really learned a lot about LDS church history from these books. I enjoyed the interaction of the fictional characters with the historical ones. But--sorry, girls, I know I'm going to offend some of you--Gerald Lund is not a good writer. I assume from his books and writing style that he is an avid historian who wanted to make these historical figures accessible to modern readers--but he is not a writer.
I really, REALLY wanted to like the Steed family. I kept hoping they would get a little bett...more
I really, REALLY wanted to like the Steed family. I kept hoping they would get a little bett...more
These are wonderful historical fiction books about the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I really understood a lot more after reading these and have a deeper appreciation of what the early Saints went through. Definitely worth the time to invest in this series.
This entire series is wonderful. It takes a fictional family and places them in the middle of the story of the Mormons (the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and moves them through the early history of the LDS Church tell the story of the growth of the church as well as the growth of the Steed Family. I learned a lot and it put a lot of things into context for me as well. For example after reading several books one of the members of the Steed Family who was Wealthy bought a new and wo...more
Apr 11, 2012
Cheryl J.
is currently reading it
I THINK THEY ARE OF GOD AND EVERY PERSON THAT READS THEM AS A SET WILL
HAVE AN LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCE.
THANK YOY BROTHER LUND FOR WORKING FOR GOD TO TOUCH SO MANY LIVES. GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOURS ALWAYS.
THANK YOU,
CHERYL ANDERSON YOUR SISTER IN JESUS CHRIST.
HAVE AN LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCE.
THANK YOY BROTHER LUND FOR WORKING FOR GOD TO TOUCH SO MANY LIVES. GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOURS ALWAYS.
THANK YOU,
CHERYL ANDERSON YOUR SISTER IN JESUS CHRIST.
I have heard so much talk about this series, I finally decided to read it. While I enjoyed the fictional characters, I found the overall series to be a long, sometimes slow read. I could appreciate the concept of a historical fiction, I just wish it was more inspiring.
I enjoyed this series more than I thought I would. I really like historical fiction. Seemed well researched (appreciated the chapter notes). Enough fictionalization to keep it moving and interesting and enough history that I learned a great deal.
An excellent depiction of LDS church history. Although there were moments that seemed to drag on, the series allows the reader to become involved in the life of each character as they seek resolution to the trials of their faith.
Excellent book that captivates you right back in time to the pioneers. An excellent source of LDS church history. Though the main characters are fictional, many of the events are actual and provide an excellent perspective.
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Sep 16, 2008 02:52pm