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Mar 17, 2008

Alissa rated it:

I tried the series back when I was about 13 and lost interest half way through the second book. When I was about 25 I tried it again. For me the 1st book is the most difficult to maintain an interest in as their are so many stories to follow and people to remember. I found that I had to commit to KEEP reading to maintain my interest into book 2. From there my interest picked up speed and I really started to enjoy the storyline(s). I read through to book 6 in about 3 weeks. I would recommend More...

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Mar 02, 2009

Blessing rated it:

I read this a long time ago too - like Laura. I totally agree with the idea that I was "there in the story with them while everything was happening". I remember I couldn't put it down either. I read some of the other ones and stayed up late to finish them.

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Nov 15, 2007

Paul rated it:

Vol 1 of 9 large volumes depicting the early beginnings of the Mormon faith as if you were there, compelling, inspiring, painful, lots of emotions as you go through the faith development through trials, persecution, families divided, etc. Very powerful, highly recommended if you want to get a feel for the beginnings of a world faith from the humble faith of its founder.... loved it (am reading the series the second time, and Vol 1-3 were made into films, now on DVD. You'll understand Joseph Smit More...

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Mar 01, 2009

lAuRa rated it:

I read this book sooo long ago. But I really really enjoyed it when I did. It made me very happy and I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was there in the story with them while everything was happening. I guess I only gave it three stars because I no longer believe in the religion but actually it was an excellent book!

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May 17, 2008

Jeanette rated it:

If I had rated this series when I first read it as a teenager, I would have given all the books a very enthusiastic 5. I loved these books but I recently tried to read them again and was surprised by how poorly written they are. I got about 1/4 through the second one before I stopped re-reading. A wonderful and compelling story that maybe should have been told by a better writer. (Now don't every one hate me because I just said that. I know how people feel about these books and this author.) More...

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Jul 31, 2011

Krissy rated it:

For whom are apart of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and even those who aren't, who have an open mind and open heart, who want to know more about the church but get easily bored with church history books, who want suspense at every turn, this is the book for you! While beginning the book, I easily fell in love the Steed family. Their struggles through what seem like many of us go through in everyday life. I got caught up in their lives, in the lives of all the historic prophets, More...

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Dec 04, 2010

Sundy rated it:

Lund has done an almost superhuman job of doing the research necessary to make these novels believable. I was most impressed with all of his details of locations and the religious historical contexts. It made the stories I had grown up with come to life. I couldn’t wait to read each book in this series. I cared about the Steed family. I cared about Joseph Smith. I cared about the early pioneers. And I feel that this book taught me more about my LDS history than a factual book could h More...

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Jun 21, 2008

Lisa rated it:

I started reading the Work and the Glory series when I was pregnant with our first child. I got really sick, so I was pretty much bed-ridden. My husband brought home the series and I devoured them. They are a MUST read, as once you start, you can't put them down! I LOVE how the author writes of true historical events through the eyes and lives of an imaginary family. This way, you connect with the world at that time, and you find yourself yelling, laughing, or crying at the book. Lol!

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Jul 29, 2011

Allyson rated it:

I was somewhat resistant to the idea of reading these books - I didn't take the time to really see what they were all about, I just assumed that since they seemed so 'trendy' at the time, they would probably be 'light' reading or even 'corny.' I was SO wrong... and I'm SO glad that I realized that if my mom was enjoying them so much and recommending them to me, they must be worthwhile.

This series, along with the Kent Family Chronicles (by John Jakes, about the United States), made me More...

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Mar 28, 2010

Linz rated it:

I'll be the first to admit that there were times when Gerald N. Lund would ramble about things I didn't care about, like grinding corn, or the Erie Canal, but I made my way through those parts and was able to get to the important things. Any time there was dialogue, I was completely drawn into the book, entertained the whole time.

I was also deeply touched, and found tears springing into my eyes multiple times (no tears fell, but my eyes became really watery) and I could most certainl More...

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Oct 15, 2010

Fairwind rated it:

Personally, I liked this book a lot! I really wasn't sure if I would because I'm a huge fantasy lover, but lately I've been reading a lot of non-fantasy books and I've loved it. I started reading this book mostly because we're studying the Doctrine and Covenants in seminary this year and it made me want to learn more about Joseph Smith so I figured it was time to finally start reading these books. It was awesome! I loved it! Its so nice to be able to read books that are just good, but not overly More...

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Nov 27, 2010

Rick rated it:

I had a history professor that hated these books when I was at BYU. He hated that fact that author's took true events and placed fictional characters into those events. Since that time, I have come to enjoy historical novels and take them for what they are - a novel. I understand the fear that some readers may confuse fictional characters with actual characters but the events if depicted accurately are more important to learn about than the people place into the events. With all that said, I enj More...

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Mar 13, 2011

Paula rated it:

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. And I like Lund's writing style. I thought it was bold of him to invent a family, an interesting one at that, and tell the story of the early days of The Church. His account of history are well-researched and I was pleased that he didn't take real liberties with the actual people associated with the restoration of the Gospel. I learned a lot. I thought his characters spoke insightfully and Mrs. Steed, especially, was an example of a woman of More...

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Apr 30, 2011

Laura rated it:

This book is funny to me because I tried reading it in high school and just couldn't get into it. Lydia really bothered me as a character. So in 2009 a friend gave me a copy and since I had read and enjoyed several other Lund book (Fire of the Covenant is great. I also liked his Fishers of Men series) I thought I'd give this another go around. Life got busy and even though I remembered starting the book I couldn't remember finishing it. So in 2010 I picked it up again. I started it thinking I wo More...

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Jan 04, 2009

Shelley rated it:

I have to say that I could only get 1/2 way through this. I love the idea of LDS church historical fiction, but I felt the characters weren't very real, and had no depth. The dialogue was the worst part. I'm ashamed every time I say it, but to be honest, I just couldn't get through these. Any thoughts?

4 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 06, 2011

Christine rated it:

Wow, what a wonderful beginning book for this series. After not having the desire to read these books my whole life, I finally decided to try them. Gerald Lund is such an amazing author. I was hooked on this book from almost the beginning. Lund paints such an amazing picture of the actual people in LDS church history such as Joseph Smith, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and others. I learned so much about these people and their personalities that I never knew. And the story of the Steed family jus More...

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Jan 16, 2010

Keegan rated it:

My family first listened to this series on tape while traveling. I picked up the book while at my in-laws for the holidays and finished it in two days when I got home. I enjoy the story. I feel like the family's conflicts are very real. I want to see Lydia and Nathan's relationship resolved as well as see if/how Joshua and Benjamin come into the church. It's very interesting that way. Also, learning about church history in historical fiction is a fun way to do it. However, I get annoyed about al More...

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Jan 18, 2012

M.K. rated it:

This review pretty much covers the entire Work and the Glory series. There's really too much about the book to fit into one small review, but here's a tidbit. The book is yes, based around The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it's history, etc, but it's wonderfully told and can easily be enjoyed whether you're a member of that church or not. The stories follow one family, who aren't all members of this church, through challenges, adventures, sorrows and joys. You'll most likely come More...

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Jun 29, 2010

Camille rated it:

I began reading this series when I was a teenager but never finished, so I decided to start over from the beginning. I must admit that it took some getting used to the mixing of fact and fiction. It made me a little uncomfortable to read of Joseph relating his sacred account of the first vision to a fictional Nathan, which was basically word for word from the Pearl of Great Price (which I do think was a good choice, just a little strange for me.) I did come to terms with the format and feel t More...

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Nov 11, 2009

Rebecca rated it:

This book was better than I expected. I never thought I would even consider reading this series, but I actually enjoyed it. Although the characters are contrived, I still like the Steed family. This is definitely LDS chick-lit, which companionably reminds me of the tumultuous beginnings of the church. If you fancy a corny romantic plot, amidst the fascinating history of the LDS religion, then this is the book for you.

I did listen to this on audio CD. I really think I would've More...

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Feb 01, 2010

Bre rated it:

Though it pains me to give any book which attempts to encapsulate the truths of the religion, which I revere, a low rating, I have to be honest. The only parts of this book I actually enjoyed were the bits of actual history.
Sorry.
This confession has many...many times made me the pariah of certain circles of women in my church group, but...WHO CARES! :0)
The fictionaly storyline, which was woven into actual events, was painfully contrived. Ugh.
My husband, in one o More...

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Jun 21, 2008

Kristine rated it:

I have LOVED all nine of the books in this series. Could there be a better church history fiction?

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Jun 29, 2010

Anna rated it:

3.5 stars

I guess I was expecting this book to be a written a little bit better than it was. Not that it wasn't well written in some places. I absouletly loved some of Gerald N. Lund's descriptions; they were so real. But he repeated certain phrases so often, it became very redundant at times. Some of his favorites were, "If she noticed his hesitation, anger, pleasure, etc., she gave no sign." and, "Startled, he whirled," "At the sound of footsteps, she whirle More...

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Jun 20, 2010

Leto2 rated it:

I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I appreciated how it gave me a better understanding of how life was when the Church was organized -- the customs, the feelings of loyalty and honor among the different families, the way of farm life, and even the details about how houses were set up. I also enjoyed the view of Joseph Smith from people around him who knew him as another member of the area. I'm not sure I'll make it through the whole series, but the story line was entertaining enough in th More...

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Oct 22, 2011

Shawn rated it:

The movies absolutely SUCK compared to the books. Such an AMAZING series! I have a new, educated view on church history because of this series. I love how you can see Joseph Smith as a real person. I swear my testimony of him is SOOOOOO much stronger because of these books. The author was brilliant about researching all of the facts and making sure everything is presented truthfully. I think he was truly inspired. The beginning of this first book was a little boring and took me awhile to g More...

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Jun 30, 2008

Amy rated it:

This book is ok. Kinda dense, took me awhile to get into it.

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Jun 08, 2010

Ranee rated it:

AWESOME! My VERY favorite books to read, are LDS historical fiction! I love the way that Lund captures the surroundings and the scenery of the time, and draws you right into the story! The early saints of the church have always amazed me! Joseph Smith, his family, and many of the saints suffered so much, at the hands of those who mocked and terrorized them, but the work of the Lord continued to move forth! I am so grateful for my pioneer posterity, who have afforded me the blessings of the More...

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Oct 12, 2009

Alex rated it:

I saw the movie first, and I really liked it. I eventually started reading the book.

It was a good book and I enjoyed reading it. It begins in the spring of 1827. A farmer's family of seven has moved to a village in upstate New York. It is not too long before they meet a young man named Joseph Smith, who claims to have been called of God to translate an ancient book of golden plates, and to restore the true Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. Bigotry and slander surround Josep More...

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Oct 24, 2011

05mckenna rated it:

Work and the Glory: pillar of light by Gerald n lund
I enjoyed Work and the Glory I thought it was really good. Work and the Glory takes place in the 1820s. The Steed family Benjamin, Mary Ann Morgan the oldest child Joshua, Nathan, Melissa, Rebecca and Matthew. Move to New York from Vermont.They meet Hyrum and Joseph Smith. Joseph said that he saw God and his son. Some of the Steed Family beleives Joseph and others wants nothing to do with him. This is about love, family and faith.
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Dec 17, 2011

Maggie rated it:

Okay. I am about to give this book a long, glowing, review about how amazing this is and how much I loved everything about it. I can't think of one thing I didn't like. Honestly. I loved the church history. I liked thinking about the beginning-how the whole church started out with six members, of Joseph Smith receiving the plates, of enduring that persecution (which stayed with him for the rest of his life, mind you). This book is a great missionary tool, something that every member of the churc More...

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