The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith Kindle Edition

This was a very thorough researched book. Lots of very interesting historical detail. I would read other books by this author. I strongly recommend this book to everyone but especially those who are considering joining the church so you are making an informed choice. (Comment not meant to be positive or negative toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Where you are lead us up to you. No judgment here.)

An important book that does an excellent job of highlighting the history of the Mormon Church and its people for the past two hundred years. The book is just 300 pages long, so to expect an exhaustive study of the Church and all its tenants would be unreasonable. The writing is fluid and easy to read - I'm unclear from the other reviews about the "index" being so great - to me the annotated bibliographic essay at the end of the book is worth every penny of the purchase price.

For one not of the faith, I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about Mormonism. I grew up in Quincy, Illinois, which is where, as Mr. Bowman relates in his informative new book, the group driven out of Missouri was cared for during the harsh winter of 1838-39. I also paid a few visits to nearby Nauvoo, where I picked up more of Mormon theology and history. Most importantly, I have been fortunate enough to have Mormon friends and neighbors. Still, there is always more to know and with Mitt Romney the likely Republican nominee for President this year, Professor Bowman has recognized a need for a reader-friendly book on the history of Mormonism and has provided a nice one with The Mormon People.

Mr. Bowman begins the story with Joseph Smith in the first part of the 19th century. He is particularly good in describing the religious milieu that inspired Joseph Smith and many of his followers. He outlines the development of the early church and how the Mormons were constantly being driven from place to place until the "exodus" to Utah, led by Brigham Young. He follows the Mormon state through its admittance as a state in the United States and is once again very strong in showing the transition from an inward looking group through correlation and growth into a powerful, missionary, active people.

Some will likely complain that Mr. Bowman doesn't spend enough time with the controversies surrounding the church. He does devote a chapter to a discussion of polygamy; however, like most of the book, it is quite bloodless. It is descriptive of the theology and the political impact of polygamy but there is very little about how it affected people's lives. The multiple wives of Joseph Smith, himself, for example, get almost no mention. And yet, it seems part and parcel to what Mr. Bowman is trying to achieve--lots of information and little judgment. A lot of doctrine gets mentioned but its meaning is never analyzed nor how it is really put into practice.

This can lead to somewhat divided feelings about the book overall. For a reader with little knowledge of Mormonism, many of the basics are here but there is little depth. I, for one, felt I learned more about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and Mormon theology in other books. On the other hand, having less knowledge of 20th century Mormonism, I felt I learned more about this. Certainly, I felt I understood better why some of the best, nicest people I've ever known are Mormons even as I find the theology beyond my ability to believe.

In the end, realizing that Mr. Bowman is trying to give a readable overview of nearly 200 years of Mormon history, it is easy to forgive some of the lapses in depth. He certainly has given us an excellent bird's eye view of the creation of a religion from prophet to followers to consolidated practice. Anyone whose knowledge of Mormonism is basically hearsay will learn much from this book.

i think this book was objective, and also I learned a few things I did not know about Mormons, and it made mnore clear to me the difference between some myths and realities about Mormonism.

I've enjoyed this history on Mormonism and find it neither anti mormon or biased to appeasing the Mormon hierarchy. I do recommend if you'd like to five into the history of the LDS faith.

As a non-believer I found this book balanced and an easy read. It satisfied my curiosity without being so enthusiastic that it turned me off. I have read six or seven books on the LDS and this one is not too critical nor too light on the facts of history.

This book is so good. If you are looking for a book that explains the history of LDS in America from a non-biased perspective, than this is the book. I highly recommend it.

Very interesting book--incorporates the story of the Mormon experience into the context of American history. Highly recommended.