American Massacre : The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857
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American Massacre : The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857
by Authors:
Sally Denton
Released: 17 June, 2003
ISBN: 0375412085
Hardcover
Sales Rank: 27,602
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List price:
$26.95
Our price:
$18.33
(You save: $8.62)
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| Book > American Massacre : The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
American Massacre : The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 >
Customer Review #1:
 Very thoroughly researched and reliable account
Dentons research is impeccable. It is hard to find a single thing in this book that is not researched and double-checked. She seems to have gotten correct the question of the level of involvement of the local Indians: they were peripherally involved, but the Mormons--as they have done on many other occasions--essentially employed them by offering to share with them the spoils of the massacre. They then used the natives as scapegoats, blaming the whole incident on them (many of the Mormon murderers painted their faces so that they might be mistaken for natives as well). So yes, Indians were involved, but they were hired hands, and in the end the vast majority of the ill-gotten gains went to the Mormon church. Brigham Young was seen for years afterward riding in a wagon stolen from the Baker/Fancher party.This is a great piece of historical writing, and in spite of the Mormon churchs strenuous attempts to cover up this ugly story, Denton has brought the truth to light. Beware of one thing: her description of the massacre itself is wrenching and may upset even the most hardened reader.
American Massacre : The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 >
Customer Review #2:
Truth with Documentation
An excellent book that details how political and military posturing with mafia-type retaliation for dissenters allowed a religious sect to survive and flourish with lies and deception. The power of this book is not in the truth of the treacherous massacre, as shocking as it is, but in the zealous, fervent belief of the members and followers of such corrupt leadership and doctrine. Read this book to prevent being fooled by the LDS and its false doctrine. Do not expect a member of the church to be swayed by it. Despite the excellent documentation of ALL the incidents, including diaries and testimonies from the murderous Mormon party, Mormons have been indoctrinated since Joseph Smith to smear all facts as lies if they run contrary to the direction of church leadership. This book is not about the hard working ethics and survival of the early Mormon pioneers, but more to the extent of the extremes the church would go to justify the end result... Shocking, revealing and eye opening for those who take the time to absorb the documentation provided.
American Massacre : The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 >
Customer Review #3:
 35 pages of endnotes with sources
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 arent footnotes (it would indeed be nice to see the sources at the bottom of the page where theyre referenced). However, prospective readers should know that the book provides an abundance of documentation for its claims. This is the first book Ive read about Mountain Meadows, so I dont 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.
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American Massacre : The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 >
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