American Zion: Cliven Bundy, God & Public Lands in the West

by Betsy Gaines Quammen

American Zion is the story of the Bundy family, famous for their armed conflicts in the West. With an antagonism that goes back to the very first Mormons who fled the Midwest for the Great Basin, they hold a sense of entitlement that confronts both law and democracy. Today their cowboy confrontations threaten public lands, wild species, and American heritage.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Religion, Mormonism, Nature, Audiobook

250 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2020

Reviews

[Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Quammen seems to be trying to explain what is behind the Bundy point of view. But in the process she paints LDS beliefs incorrectly and too broadly -- and I don't have the sense that Quammen has much of a spiritual life as a result. Most importantly, Quammen simply ignores the fact that the vast majority of US Church members don't agree with the Bundys.

Yes, there is clearly a line to be drawn from the more violent and magical of early Mormon teachings to the Bundy understanding of the world, but its not nearly as simple as Quammen makes it sound, nor do the Bundy views come simply from LDS teachings -- if they did then all of those who supported the Bundys would also be Mormon.

I must admit that I had also expected something a bit different fro this book -- a more detailed tracing of the ideological background behind the Bundy's views and the others discussed in this book. In this I was quite disappointed, because Quammen wasn't interested in a mostly complete understanding of what was behind those views -- she was satisfied with a simple tracing of those views to some of the worst of Mormon history.

In the end, Quammen's viewpoint comes completely from her environmentalist position -- which I, a faithful, committed LDS Church member, generally agree with. But her focus doesn't allow her to see all the other factors that might be involved -- she misses or fails to give significant weight to crucial parts of the story. There is a clear understanding that is very skeptical of Mormonism, painting the actions and views of Mormons in a generally negative light. Quammen would have benefitted by finding a few of the faithful Church members she mentions (such as George Handley) and asking them for feedback on her manuscript. She would have ended up with a much better book.

I do think Quammen deserves credit for reaching out to the Bundys and others who she clearly disagrees with, and trying to fairly present their side of things. It just would have been better if she had extended that fair treatment to groups and cultures, like that of LDS Church members.

I should also mention that I was also disappointed with the narrator of the audiobook version, for the jarring mispronunciation of names. I can understand and be tolerant when we are talking about names from the Book of Mormon -- its so common to pronounce Moroni with a short "ee" sound at the end that I don't criticize for that. What is more mystifying is the mispronunciation of rather common US names, -- how does Rigdon become "Ridge-don??" and Haight become "Hite"??

Is it really that hard to make a list of the words the narrator might find unusual and make a few phone calls to make sure that they're pronounced right?

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...our public lands are among the best things about being an American. And they are worth fighting for - with zeal and grit. Against the Bundys, right-wing politicians, the fossil fuel industry, climate [change] deniers, those who want to privatize, and militias. Our land has never faced so many threats, and we need to battle together more than ever to save it (p. 298-299).

In April 2014, in an attempt to round up Cliven Bundy's illegally grazing cattle, there was an armed standoff between federal agents and Bundy followers, including many militia members. The standoff ended when the feds backed down to avoid bloodshed. About a year and a half later, Cliven Bundy's sons, Ammon and Ryan, took armed control of the Malhuer Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

This book is an important addition to understanding the fight for public lands in the western United States. Much of the book sets the stage to understand Mormonism's influence on this fight.

The book gives a fairly complete history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from its founding by Joseph Smith, the progressive migrations westward to escape persecution, the murder of Smith, and then the migration to Utah with Brigham Young in charge of the church in 1847. Utah was seen as "Zion" a homeland for the Mormons to escape persecution in the United States. In 1848, however, the United States caught up with them when the land they lived in became part of the United States after the Mexican-American War.

The anti-government sentiments were spawned by this conflict between the US federal government that continue to this day. This book goes a long way to explaining the conflict inherent between Mormonism and the federal government over public lands. In a nut shell, Mormons feel that much of the West belonged to "Zion" their place of refuge from the government and Gentiles (their name for non-Mormons). In a real sense, it was God's kingdom on Earth. The US Constitution was seen as divinely inspired, written by God, which is why Constitution booklets are seen in the pockets of the Bundys and their followers.

But their view of the Constitution, influenced by an alleged apocryphal prophecy by Joseph Smith (The White Horse Prophecy) that states that the LDS will fight to restore the Constitution to America. These ideas of conflict and a misinterpretation of the Constitution made its way into the Sagebrush Rebellion and the militia movement. Quammen writes that "Bundy's dismissal of environmental laws, his misinterpretation of the Constitution, and his take on entitlement are all very popular in some western, libertarian circles. It's not hate that attracts most of Bundy's followers, it's the sense of power that these ideas give those who feel powerless." (p.262). Along with that, many Westerners have adopted the viewpoint that government overreach and environmental regulations (views shared by the current Administration) have diminished opportunity in the West rather than "shifting economies, tapped-out resources, and habitat destruction" (p. 294).

Quammen gives a balanced account of the "Battle of Bunkerville" and the Malhuer occupation. It also gives an account of the aftermath with the trials, the missteps by the federal prosecutors, and who served or continues to serve jail time. While I have followed this in the newspapers, it was nice to have it compiled in a single source.

One aspect of the book that I found personally uncomfortable was the emphasis on the original owners of the land - the Indigenous tribes. For all my concern over public lands issues, this is one aspect that I neglect. I don't have any answers for it, but I do think that an approach that was to take place with Bears Ears National Monument of co-management with a coalition of tribes, was a step in the right direction. Sadly, this has been put on hold with the reduction of the monument by the Trump Administration.

What are some solutions of this conflict? Quammen lists five things that should be considered:
1.recognizing that preservation of our public lands need to consider landscape conservation;
2. recognizing that public lands hold watersheds and crucial habitat;
3. Recognizing that less than 2 percent of all cattle raised in the US are raised on public lands;
4. Recognizing that protected lands mean income; and
5. Recognizing most Americans value public lands and want to keep them healthy (p. 290-291).

I think that this book, along with the original Bundyville podcasts by Oregon Public Broadcasting, goes a long way to explaining the cowboy mythos of the rancher in the western US and how mainstream and obscure Mormon beliefs have affected it. And how they threaten public lands owned by all Americans.

HIGHLY recommended.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the author on the thesis of the book. In other words I have the same bias as the author and I believe it is the correct perspective. I'm just not so sure such a biased accounting makes for a great book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid. Betsy Gaines Quammen has explicated the intersection of Mormonism (particularly the political manifestations of its theology) and land management practices, as they have evolved (and devolved) in American history. There's a good amount of backstory that she lays out, so if you're familiar with the basics of Mormon history it serves as a palatable refresher. 

I was pleasantly surprised (and grateful) that Quammen touches rather lightly on the celebrity of certain members of the Bundy family. In this telling, they are rightly confined to their roles as ciphers in America's long tradition of entitled, grasping, semi-violent usurpation of resources.
 
Few years ago I read Chosen Country: A Rebellion in the West by James Pogue, which is basically the story of Ammon Bundy's occupation of the Malheur Natl. Wildlife Refuge told as a mashup of gonzo journalism and memoir. My response to both books, Pogue's & Quammen's, is similar in this respect: I'm far less surprised by the character, choices, philosophy, and/or pathologies of the Bundys and their ilk than I am by our apparent willingness (as a society) to tolerate and excuse their behavior. 

I suppose it's why I continue to be fascinated by this subject. As I write this, the U.S. has just sworn in the first Secretary of the Interior of Native American descent, who is also an avowed advocate for the aggressive preservation of public lands and the protection of wildlife habitat. The forces aligned against her are legion, and - as Quammen makes abundantly clear - they are not going away without a fight.

[Ramona Mead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truly epic read. It covers everything you could possibly want to know about the Bundy family and their battle against the federal government over public lands. Starting with Jospeh Smith and going all the way up to the Trump administration, the author weaves together threads that seem random but definitely aren't. The first few chapters and the last few were most compelling for me, by the end I could hardly put it down. The middle of the book is pretty dense. I think it's partly the formatting of the book (relatively small pages with a ton of small text packed in) as well as all the facts that are crammed into this book. It's all relevant and connected, but there are so many historical figures and dates, that I'd get lost occasionally. Though I wasn't surprised by that, and it's part of what makes the story so fascinating, it's just a lot of information. For such dense material, Gaines Quammen's writing is sharp and she creates a narrative that flows well. Her opinions and experiences scattered throughout the book keep the story real, and remind us how recent these events are.

I highly recommend American Zion for non-fiction readers, particularly those interested in the history of the west, and religion. It's also a compelling read for conservationists, and lovers/users of public lands.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent book teases apart the roots of American mythos, Mormon history, and the convoluted relationship people have with public lands in the United States. Betsy Gaines Quammen takes a subject that might seem from afar to be vast and sprawling and elegantly traces its evolution in language that is sharp, elegant and empathetic. Her nuanced but unflinching take on what could easily be a two-dimensional conversation takes the reader down a path that demands their attention and engagement. A poetic and passionate (but deeply researched and data-driven) account of why we cannot turn away from the issues of public lands if we care at all about sustaining this nation and its many creatures, humans absolutely included.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read for anyone who wants to understand the way many Westerners - especially members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - view their relationship to the land. Though Quammen is transparent about her views as an environmentalist, she approached the project with genuine curiosity and a fair-minded treatment of all the people she writes about. Even if you think you already understand the myth of the cowboy, read this book. It will give you new perspective.

[Cheryl Turoczy Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seldom read non-fiction books for pleasure or at all any more but this one was a must-read for me. It explains in ways I have been unable to, the intermountain west feelings about Public Land. It inspires me to continue fighting for the National Wildlife Refuge system and the lands of beauty and wonder that make our country what it is.

[Darwin8u · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Hard to not overdo it with how much I liked this book.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is definitely worth reading. I'm somewhat obsessed with the story of Cliven Bundy (as in, he and his ilk are infuriating), and this was the perfect book to put everything in context. I didn't know that his religion (Mormon) was the underlying reason for his staunch refusal to obey the law and pay his damn fair share of grazing fees. The book gives a brief history of the Mormons and their settlement in the west, their attitudes toward conservation and use of the land, and finally, of Cliven Bundy's particular problems with the federal government (which he thinks has no say over anything, really). Overall, two thumbs up and recommended.

[Rae]

Radicalized Mormonism. Public land policies. Bundy family. Cleon Skousen. Well told.

[Gregory Tait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on the fight in the west over public land use. Very well written.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite extensive research and strong writing, the book falls short of what I had hoped to find. Too often, the author chose to tell an entertaining or sensational story, rather than to provide insight about the anti-government and anti-public land movement in Utah and the West.

The book rests upon two assumptions, each of which may have merit, but deserves much more careful scrutiny. The first is that Cliven Bundy's actions and politics are driven by his religion. The second is that his reasons apply to anyone beyond his immediate family.

Along the way, the author gratuitously delves into Mormon theology and history with marginal relevance to the questions at hand. While the Mountain Meadows Massacre may pertain to Mormons or southern Utah, does it have any relevance to the broader right-wing political movement? Joseph Smith’s divining-rod treasure-seeking? Porter Rockwell? The disclosure that the Church is an immense landholder, or has socked away billions in investments? Why mention D. Michael Quinn, and whether his excommunication was justified? The Laffertys? Without making connections to the central topic, these are loose ends at best. A more cynical interpretation is that the author is merely using insinuation to paint the Mormon Church as a general-purpose bugbear.

The author's conclusion seems to be simply that the Mormons are unlawful and irrational religious fanatics, and have been since the beginning. While this may explain the Bundys, it does nothing to explain the much broader anti-government sentiment among those who are not religious fanatics, and may not even be Mormon at all.

I understand the attraction of simplistic stereotypes, whether about Mormons and gentiles, Democrats and Republicans, or conservationists and the fossil fuel industry, but I could have conjured those myself. This book flirts with deeper insights, but ultimately leaves them undeveloped.

[Mark Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Public land ranching in the arid West is a loser for everyone involved: The rancher and his dependence on subsidies, the public and the degradation of our land and the picking of our pocket, the government agencies for their captured unwillingness to do their job while still wasting money at it. DeVoto wrote about welfare ranching in Harper's 75 plus years ago. Nothing since then has changed, only the names of the players. The practice of public land ranching remains a loser economically and ecologically. It would not be missed it it were gone. It does not actually provide the basis for a privileged way of life as claimed, nor provide critical economic support to local communities. So why does the corrupt practice persist for the last century?

It does not persist for economic or ecologic reasons. It persists because of of the power of misguided myths. Because of the myth of the cowboy and because, in large part, of the fabricated myths stemming from the locally prominent Mormon religion. Quammen lays out the source and absurdity of these myths like only an objective and empathic scholar can. I read the work for the second time yesterday and will keep it handy to read again. It is necessary for sanity when faced with the cognitive dissonance of public lands ranching.

[Jeff Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-researched book that gives a rare insight into the genesis of much of the conflict over public lands in the West. The author treats the Bundys with respect (that in itself could be considered a great accomplishment given their history) and I dare say the same with regard to Mormonism. The interesting history of the Mormon movement into the West was eye opening, and the use of the (perceived) persecution of the followers to justify, well anything that was to their advantage, was startling. The modern attack on public lands and to a great extent our democracy is rooted deeply in this persecution complex and the author has shown how the Bundys, more than anyone, have taken advantage of that.

[James Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating view of some right wing Mormon’s fight against federal ownership of public lands. It gives a good picture of the myths from the Mormon (and other) past and how it makes these people believe they have a god-given and constitutional right to use these lands as they believe. They are locked in the past.

[William Graney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very impressive work by the author. It's written in a way that I would describe as scholarly, but it's never dull or tedious. I found the subject matter to be disturbing and I admire the way she dug deep and provided what I considered to be an unbiased portrayal. She did offer more of her own opinions during the summary toward the end, but overall I think this book is fair and accurate.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and well researched history that connects the dots between Mormon history, misrepresentation of the Constitution, the anti-public lands movement, militant rancher Cliven Bundy and right-wing domestic terrorism.

[Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio version - multiple pronunciation problems with narration. Miss-pronounced names from Latter-day Saint scripture when a pronunciation guide is available in that scripture and repeated errors with proper names (Sidney “Ridgden” instead of Rigdon) bring into question the authors devotion to telling an accurate story.

Explanations of the Bundy phenomenon seem heavily based on this authors criticism of their religious background. Other factors (like those discussed in Nomadland) seem not have been considered.

[Landon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted more concrete details, more analysis of laws and policies.

I got a sermon about the devil, Cliven Bundy with a sprinkling of the things I wanted.

Still, there were a lot of interesting anecdotes and I know more about the topic now than before.

[Maritza Soto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had be whispering, “what the fuuu???” to myself about once per page. Quammen is an excellent writer. I was a little confused by some of the jumping back and forth in the chronology of the events. I understand why she chose not relay these events in a strictly chronological fashion because of how tied they were to each other and to the events leading up to and ensuing. It was not meant to be told in a strictly linear manner. But jumping back and forth between Bunkerville and Malheur and the trials twisted me up a little wrt the sequence of those events.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deeply held ideologies may bound a group and persuade it to take outrageous actions. Such is the case with Muslim mistreatment of women or LDS mistreatment of public land. Did Joseph Smith's unusual god grant Great Basin property to His adherents thus dismissing the the concept of publicly owned land and justifying county comitatus? I liked the research that went into the many, many facts of this book. Living in the west and enjoying public land, I find these issues important and agree with the author's frustration in lack of federal enforcement of law. Perhaps the solution involves keeping the BLM based in Grand Junction rather than in the beehive of Washington DC. These are evolving issues involving the intersection of politics and Mormon culture.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in public lands, the West, and the history of Mormonism (as well as the sources of modern day rightwing extremism), then you will find a great deal of interest in this book. It reads like an academic project expanded to a book, which is what it is, but it's still quite compelling. Strongly recommended for people already interested in any of the above subjects.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

a treasure trove of information but at times unnecessarily wordy and very obviously biased

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A map of the American West is a Rorschach test - people see what they want to see as reflections of who they are.

So begins Quammen's introduction to what ultimately is her forum to scorn people who don't see the American West the way she does. She claims that she took on this project so that we could better understand Cliven Bundy and his reasons for militantly occupying public land. There is some good information here, but you have to weed through the author's biases to get to it.

Most of us think we do things for the right reasons - whatever "right" means to each of us. Whether my "right" is the same as yours doesn't matter. We all make poor decisions believing we're doing the right thing. I'm not saying I agree with Bundy's extremist views. I'm just saying that it's clear from the beginning that Quammen thinks she's right and Bundy is wrong.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting book. At times I felt like I was reading a very well researched piece of high quality literary journalism, and other times it felt like a condescending op-ed. I enjoyed reading it and found it very informative, but felt like it lacked the meat that could have been used to bolster the ideas presented. In a book that places so much emphasis on “unbiased truth” about land use practice, conservation, and religious ideology, a couple of chapters seemed slightly off the mark and heavily opinionated regarding the purported inextricable link between Mormon theology and ‘anti-government cowboy ideals’. However, Betsy Gaines Quammen does bring up some very interesting points. 3.5 stars.

[David Hymas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up to find out more about the Bundys---their thinking, their own personal history, their family heritage, etc. But I was almost halfway through the book before it touched on any of those issues. Which is the first challenge I had reading it: it tries to be too many things. The first 40-50 percent of the book is, to put it politely, a mediocre history of the Mormon church. Rather than focusing on the points relevant to the Bundys, it tries to hit on almost every point imaginable, from the First Vision, to the Missouri Wars, to Mountain Meadow, to the Succession Crisis, to the Manifesto, and on and on. If you want a recommendation on a great history of the Mormon Church, there are literally a solid 10 or so you could turn to rather than getting through the slapdash summary here.

It was only then that the author turned to the Bundys, but even then, only cursorily. The book waves its collective pages at the confrontation in Bunkerville and the Malheur Wildlife Refuge standoff. But those summaries are mostly superficial as the book immediately turns to yet another superficial analysis of Mormon conspiratorial writing (hello Cleon Skousen) and a hopelessly cursory review of wildlands writing from Thoreau to Leopold to Tempest Williams to Abbey and others I have forgotten.

Then the book finishes off not with a descriptive analysis tying all of these wildly disparate themes together but instead a prescriptive lecture on the way things *should* be. Residents of Garfield County will find the last two chapters or so very familiar since they read like an op-ed in the NYT wagging a telling finger at everyone back West.

I'm sympathetic to all of these themes. I have read countless books on Mormon history. But like Krakauer before her, this author doesn't struggle with why, if early teachings so obviously lead to a product as villainous as the Bundys, their kind of chicanery is not more prevalent. I've also read all of those environmental authors (many more than once), and I'm sympathetic to the author's voice on land preservation in the West (I've even volunteered for SUWA and the UWC on efforts leading to eventual designation of the Grand Staircase). But the thread tying all of these topics together wasn't tied, leaving the reader with a poor understanding of multiple---fascinating and important---topics rather than being educated about one or two.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Zion is a well-written narrative linking Mormon history and beliefs with attitudes about land use and government in the American west. Essentially it explains how people like Cliven and Ammon Bundy became willing to die for their belief that federal land belongs to them to use as they see fit. These are not mainstream Mormon attitudes, but the Bundys have a whole lot of sympathizers who consider any attempt to regulate federal lands as government overreach.

I liked the book because it wove together a lot of things I knew a little bit about into a big picture that made sense. The author, Betsy Gaines Quammen, is up front about the fact that she is an advocate for public lands, but then so am I. I loved the way she dealt with the arguments about ranchers wanting to keep their "traditional" way of life via subsidized grazing on public land by pointing out that the ranchers were newcomers. The people who traditionally occupied the land were Indians, primarily the Paiute, who were forced out to make way for settlers.

Unfortunately, the two incidents involving the Bundys (a standoff over removal of trespassing cattle and the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge), have had a long-lasting impact on federal land management. Quammen says threats of violence against government employees mean that land management policies simply aren't enforced in many places and cattle are allowed to overgraze and damage public land.

The truly scary thing is that these beliefs seem to be contagious and you end up with a heavily-armed coalition of white supremecist, anti-government groups who think they are saving America. Sadly, they have outsize influence with politicians in the western states, who in turn have outsize influence on the whole country because of the electoral college and the makeup of the U.S. Senate.

[N. Steele · Rating 1 out of 5]

Her words are pleasantly arranged to make a nutjob the product of a religion the author failed to understand. She is a master of words and she uses this talent like a hacksaw to mock the faith of a people she does not know. Her views of any fact were to make a universal judgment that saw only flaws. How interesting to use that same approach on the author. Should we find her most humiliating and shameful moment and confine and define her to that one terrible mistake? How shallow have we become when we can't open our minds to a more respectful, broader consideration? Like a born-again fanatic, the key to this book was to damn and send to hell anyone who did not see her single sided view. I don't think she was capable of opening her mind to see the good that can come from one that has a devoted faith in a loving, peaceful God.

[Scott Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Are there no moderate activists left in the world? Someone that doesn't sound like a jilted lover that just wants to watch the world burn? This is an important subject but this book is so tainted by a hatred for Mormons that it is difficult to digest. I am sure there is some bonehead from Kanab, UT that broke her heart that will pay for it in literature forever.

She has some really accurate and good points that need to be addressed but which extremist should I follow. I am sure there are a lot of typical people that will get off from this book. For people with less drama, it is more hate speech proclaiming the religion of environmentalism. Not even sure it was about environmental issues.

And just to be clear I think the Bundy clan is just as crazy and need to be stopped.