Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - From the author of Into the Wild and Into Thin Air, this extraordinary work of investigative journalism takes readers inside America's isolated Mormon Fundamentalist communities. - Now an acclaimed FX limited series streaming on HULU.

"Fantastic.... Right up there with In Cold Blood and The Executioner's Song." --San Francisco Chronicle

Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the renegade leaders of these Taliban-like theocracies are zealots who answer only to God; some 40,000 people still practice polygamy in these communities.

At the core of Krakauer's book are brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a commandment from God to kill a blameless woman and her baby girl. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this appalling double murder, Krakauer constructs a multi-layered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, polygamy, savage violence, and unyielding faith. Along the way he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America's fastest growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief.

Publisher: Anchor Books
Published: 06/08/2004
Pages: 432
Weight: 0.71lbs
Size: 8.01h x 5.22w x 0.94d
ISBN: 9781400032808

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 10
Point Value: 23
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 74916 / Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith


Review Citation(s):
New York Times 05/23/2004 pg. 24
BookPage 08/01/2004 pg. 18

About the Author
JON KRAKAUER is the author of eight books and has received an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. According to the award citation, "Krakauer combines the tenacity and courage of the finest tradition of investigative journalism with the stylish subtlety and profound insight of the born writer."