Monday, February 16, 2009

"Under the Banner of Heaven" suggested reading companions


Will Bagley, Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows;
Fawn Brodie, No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith;
Sally Denton, American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September, 1857;
Judith Freeman, Red Water;
Philip Jenkins, Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in American History;
John D. Lee, Mormonism Unveiled: Or Life and Confession of John D. Lee and Brigham Young;
Bernard Lewis, What Went Wrong?: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East;
Dorothy Allred Solomon, Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk: Growing Up in Polygamy.

2 comments:

Carrin Mahmood said...

The Internet offers a taste of everything these days -- even personal ads for polygamists.

Here's a sample from polygamy.com: "A Ph.D. engineer, now an investment manager and wife, a teacher, building new home in the Johnson City, Texas area in a private reserve seeks another wife, age 25-40.

We seek a kind, gentle, intelligent, attractive and committed lady to share our home. Prospective wife should be career minded, a committed submissive to the husband. She should have a high libido and be very open minded and willing to explore in her relationship to her husband."

Although polygamy is illegal in all 50 states, it's practiced by an estimated 100,000 Americans, and is commonly associated with the Mormon Church, though church members are loathe to admit it. Says William Stoddard, local Mormon Church spokesman: "(Polygamy) is absolutely prohibited and has been for over 100 years, and anyone who engages in the practice will be excommunicated."

But the Internet has helped the practice expand: Men and women in search of multiple marriage partners need look no further than such sites as TruthBearer.org, 3coins.com and bfree.org, just to name a few.

The kicker: The ad-placers aren't Mormons, and the sites don't operate from Utah. This ain't your mother's polygamy.

Carrin Mahmood said...

Interesting site http://www.alternet.org/story/11963/