Customer Reviews

American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
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2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

The purpose of this review is to politely correct a misleading assertion made by another reviewer (review from 8/13/03). This reader claimed the book lacked footnotes.

In reality, there are about 35 pages of endnotes (pp 245-279), and also a bibliography listing well over 200 sources including books, U.S. government documents, periodical and newspaper articles, LDS church documents, papers, diaries, manuscripts, and letters.

Technically true, there aren't footnotes (it would indeed be nice to see the sources at the bottom of the page where they're referenced). However, prospective readers should know that the book provides an abundance of documentation for its claims.

This is the first book I've read about Mountain Meadows, so I don't feel qualified to talk about whether or not Ms. Denton draws fair conclusions from her sources, or whether she makes use of the most appropriate sources.

In conclusion, I recommend this book to other readers, as long as they know this book provides only one of several opposing viewpoints about this chapter in U.S. history.

Sally Denton has written an eminently readable and interesting book about the Mountain Meadows massacre. She says this is the book she always knew she would write. Unfortunately for her, she didn't write it before Will Bagley released his utterly masterful "Blood of the Prophets" because Denton's book pales in comparison. She also makes numerous careless errors that can only be attributed to sloppiness. Since she only provides footnotes for her direct quotes, it's hard to check many of her facts, a situation that will only frustrate those who wish to continue this research. If your attention span is limited, if you only want a broad overview of the massacre, then Denton will probably satisfy you. But if you really want to know what happened at Mountain Meadows, invest in Will Bagley's book. It will reward you with a better understanding of the forces that led to this massacre, its cover-up, and the continuing denial of the LDS church.

After finishing Jon Krakauer's amazing "Under the Banner of Heaven," I turned to Denton's book for a fuller account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. I wasn't disappointed. This book is absolutely incredible. Anyone who reads it will be shaken up by the history of the Mormon Church and what it has sanitized. How many Mormons today know of Brigham Young's atrocities? If they knew, would they still worship this faith based in the bloodshed of innocent Americans? Mormonism isn't very old. There is very recent history of torture and cruelty by the Mormon people. This history isn't biblical; it's pre-Civil war. Pretty hard to believe anyone could not acknowledge the abomination that was Brigham Young. But back to the book: Ms. Denton is an amazing writer--perhaps among our best today. Her attention to detail, her chronicling of history is beyond praiseworthy. She merits more distinction than she is getting, considering that this book is never talked about. But then again, the media seems to have swept Krakauer's book under the rug, as well. What is the press afraid of? Whatever the reasons, anyone wanting to educate him or herself about Mormon history--or anyone ignorant to its roots--should read this book as a companion to Krakauer's. And all should cry at the fate of the doomed Fancher party.

Two books have recently been published about cold-blooded murders in Utah, and figuring prominently in both is the LDS church -- the Mormons. Jon Krakauer's UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN is about recent murders and the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart committed by Mormon Fundamentalists who, though excommunicated by LDS authorities for practicing polygamy and other deviation, claim to be following the original teachings of church founder Joseph Smith. Sally Denton's subject in AMERICAN MASSACRE is the near-annihilation of the Fancher-Baker wagon train at Mountain Meadows in southern Utah on 9/11/1857. That barbarous act, the slaughter of 120 men, women, and children may have been authorized by church leaders was was certainly carried out by Mormons who believed they had official sanction for their acts.

The two authors display contrasting strengths as writers. Krakauer is the better prose stylist, but Denton has put together a more unified story. Krakauer succeeded in getting members of the Fundamentalist Mormon community (including the murderous Laffertys) to talk freely about the murders they say God told them to commit. He gives the reader an unspairing, intimate view of the crime and the criminals, like that of Mailer in THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG. Krakauer admits readily in interviews that he relied heavily on secondary sources (like historian D Michael Quinn)for his depiction of the historical aspects of Mormonism. Denton has done far more original historical research for her book; from reading diaries and oral histories in Arkansas (where the Fancher party originated) to combing through the National Archives, US Army records, and those of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She reconstructs the trial of John D Lee, the only person convicted of the atrocity, from court records, his diaries, and contemporary newspaper accounts. Denton provides chapter notes and an extensive bibliography to support her scholarship.

Denton resurrects a number of little-known non-Mormons who figured prominently in Utah Territory at the time of the massacre and after. Like Thomas L Kane, scion of a politically prominent Philadelphia family, who acted as Brigham Young's intermediary and apologist to three US Presidents. Like Territorial Judge John Cradlebaugh, who initiated the first investigation into the Mountain Meadows massacre. A more famous nemisis of Brigham Young was General Albert Sidney Johnston, who led US troops in the "Utah War" of 1858 and assisted Cradelbaugh in his investigation. He would die five year later at Shiloh fighting for the Confederacy.

I recommend both books. At a time when Islamic religious extremism is on everyone's mind, we need to be reminded that the United States has produced and is producing its share of dangerous zealots. Krakauer refers to the Fundamentalist polygamists of southern Utah as "the American Taliban". In AMERICAN MASSACRE one can trace the roots of the religious fanaticism that bears bitter fruit in UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN.

Political thriller, historical drama, crime and coverup, love and hate, disaster and redemption--Sally Denton's fast-paced, beautifully written account of the Mountain Meadow Massacre has it all. For a century-and-a-half, the worst atrocity of its kind in American annals went so little or marginally written about that it was one of our history's dirty secrets. But now Denton, a nationally-honored author and investigative journalist, gives it the definitive book it deserves--an achievement all the more impressive because of the courage and wisdom it took in a woman who is herself a descendant of Mormon pioneers. Terrorism and religious fanaticism hardly began with Islamic radicals September 11, 2001. It's as American as apple pie and massacre in a lovely Utah meadow. No history is more relevant to understanding our world, our America. Don't miss this one!

Denton is the rare investigative reporter whose scholarship, compassion, and ability to write with poetic power are in perfect balance. In American Massacre, Denton tips over a religious rock and finds a nest of corruption, deceit, and despair. She delivers a temperate, detailed investigation of a religious tragedy: The cost of blind obedience and fanaticism that dehumanizes victims and seeks divine approval of even the most heinous crimes against innocents. She carefully details the inevitable corruption of any organization involving fallible humans - often with conflicting agendas - and her research is sound and rigorous. Denton's enthusiasm for the subject lends a subjective, sometimes accusatory, tone to her writing that could perhaps have been tempered by a thorough discussion of the mind-set present in violent confrontations. This is a difficult subject, however, and readers may find Professor Dave Grossman's "On Killing" a suitable companion in understanding how large bodies of ordinary men could be guilty of senseless slaughter. Overall, this is an exciting, well-researched and fair-minded narrative and a powerfully written, superb investigative report. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author, "Race Against Evil."

This book is terrific. Not only it is great history, it is wonderfully written. Denton has tackled a great stain upon the history of the Mormon church--the massacre of more than 100 members of a wagon train headed west in 1857. She traces the history of the Mormon church to help explain both how its members could and would be nervous about outsiders, and how its leaders then tried to cover up a case of cold-blooded murder. When you are done reading it--and you will finish it; it is impossible to put down--you will have a better understanding of how this church became important and how and why it remains so mysterious to so many.

I found Sally Denton's American Massacre to be a fine piece of history writing. She have written well, the cause and effect that initiated one of the greatest atrocities in American history. I'll be frank here, if you are a member of LDS, you will probably find this book to be offensive and defies all you were ever told about this incident. That is too bad but I guess the book was written for rest of the world. Denton make it clear that it was the white Mormons who without mercy, cruelly butchered 120 men, women and children, under the flag of truce on a pretension of a honorable surrender. What make it worst was that even if Bingham Young, prophet and leader of LDS didn't ordered the killing, he took an active hand in protecting the murderers, covering it up, making him just as guilty as those who committed the foul deed. This doesn't make Young much of a prophet which was why LDS today decries any effort to bring up this old atrocity. So much of their faith depends on Young being a prophet of God instead of Satan. Nazi-like style of massacre also don't painted the white Mormon milita very well either which was another reason why this church like this entire incident swept under the carpet. If not, then let the blame go to the Indians and to the victims. These were Mormons' excuses even to 1990s. The author rises a super interesting question here. Why did Young sent a messenger telling his Mormon fellowers not to harm the wagon train. Well, anyone who watches too many Colombo episodes can tell you why....its called covering your rear end. Let us face it, since Utah at that time was run as a theocracy with Young at the top, nobody will ever do anything this big without some form of approval from above. Mormons were too well discipline to take things into their own hands. As Denton revealed, blood atonement for anyone stepping out of bound provided that discipline. The author tell stories of Mormons who were badly beaten or killed for helping out that wagaon train - either out Christain charity or greed. Wiping out an entire wagaon train was too much responsiblity for any one at a local level, some sort of approval must come from Salt Lake City and guess who resides there. Denton turned many of this into a working theory, perhaps in modern time, enough to bring Young to a grand jury. This overall, proves to be an important book but if there was a weakness, its not as detail as you want. Thus, I believed that this book, along with works by Juanita Brooks and Will Bagley, form a trilogy of books which should be an standard reference for Mountain Meadow Masacre for many years to come.

SEPTEMBER 11, 1857
The book, "American Massacre" by Sally Denton is an excellent coverage of one of our country's most notable occurrences, worthy of recognition on a grand scale. To this day in Utah, the event has been avoided by the LDS like a "Hot Potato", Why?

During my 30+ years within the walls of the LDS church I did not hear mention of the massacred and blood atoned. I heard mostly about how members were persecuted by gentiles. In fact I knew little of the truth regarding the rich history of "Loving your neighbor" as Brigham so carefully taught at the pulpit.

"THIS IS LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES; if he needs help, help him; and if he wants salvation and it is NECESSARY TO SPILL HIS BLOOD on the earth in order that he may be saved, SPILL IT..." (Sermon by Brigham Young, delivered in the Mormon Tabernacle, Feb. 8, 1857, printed in the Deseret News, Feb. 18, 1857; also reprinted in the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, pp. 219-220)

Brigham Young also taught: "I know, when you hear my brethren telling about CUTTING PEOPLE OFF FROM THE EARTH, that you consider it is strong doctrine, but it is to SAVE them, not to destroy them.... (Sermon by Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses,Vol. 4, pages 53-54; also published in the Deseret News, 1856, page 235)

Some have passed off such as a "myth", but as I am separating myself from Mormonism in search of truth, the substance of the foundation is unfolding.

Mountain Meadows Massacre was the largest wholesale murder of unarmed, innocent men, women and children (performed by Americans) in American History, unparalleled until the recent bombing of the Federal building.

The well orchestrated procedure was performed in a most brutal and unthinkable manner, utilizing a white flag to lure an injured, hungry and thirsty people into trusting the local Mormon Elders with their lives. Ultimately as one participant noted - the majority of the act took less than three minutes as he remembered glancing at his pocket watch. Afterwards the twisted bodies lay, embedded into the landscape as a testament to the reality of Young's despotism.

We broke down in tears as we read about the moment of realization for those poor people who faced the territory's priesthood wielding men... "doing their duty".

The Baker/Fauncher belongings and some of the children who survived, were dispersed among the "faithful", an investment to the foundation of a religion which even today, claims to be the one and only "true" church.

Sally has painstakingly shared the event in a clear, concise, well documented manner, establishing an important part of history to be presented openly to America. She strongly noted this book is based on historical fact. She lays a foundation showing the history leading up to and following the event, giving the reader an extremely clear picture of what really happened there.

Excellent documentary.


Eric Hoff

The Mountain Meadows Massacre should, and must, be a better know event in American history than it is currently. Between this book and the very good Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, the horrific events of September 11, 1857 will become better known. Sally Denton, in American Massacre (The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857) tells a fast-paced story from as many viewpoints as she can. Importantly, she provides a thorough context in which to place the events. Most of the details are covered, albeit in a briefer manner, in Krakauer's book but in much larger context. Denton's book could have benefited from an examination of the effects of the massacre beyond the decade of its occurrence in order to show the ways in which the details have been covered up and obscured since that time by the Mormon Church and its state of Utah. An important look at a defining moment in American history.