Under the Banner of Heaven
A Story of Violent Faith
by Jon Krakauer · first published 2003
62% recommend31% neutral8% critical
Why HN recommends it
Gripping narrative nonfiction that traces the history of Mormon fundamentalism and a violent 1984 murder case; readers praise its readability and say it works as a gateway for anyone curious about the religion's roots.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Jon Krakauer's literary reputation rests on insightful chronicles of lives conducted at the outer limits. In UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN, he shifts his focus from extremes of physical adventure to extremes of religious belief within our own borders. At the core of his book is an appalling double murder committed by two Mormon fundamentalist brothers, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a revelation from God commanding them to kill their blameless victims. Beginning with a meticulously-researched account of this "divinely inspired" crime, Krakauer constructs a multilayered, bone-ch
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Polemic, passionate in a one-note way, pleading, to an extent that sacrifices the narrative. Two great examples from Krakauer: _Under The Banner Of Heaven_, which veers into a straight-up litigation against the Mormon faith†, and _Where Men Win Glory_, whose latter third is practically tear-stained. Note: I'm not saying either of those books are bad; I…
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why” ↗…is the narrator. It could be a great story, but a terrible narrator. Where as a great narrator could make a bad story good. Here’s my list: The Cuckoos Egg by Clifford Stoll Daemon by Daniel Suarez Under the banner of heaven by Jon Krakauer The Martian by Andy Weir (RC Bray version is far superior to will Wheaton’s version) Anything read by Malcolm Gladwell A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson, read by the author. It also…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite audiobooks?” ↗…to marriage in general, and in one sense I agree with them: functional marriages without rigid gender roles demonstrate that their conception of marriage is limited and grimly unequal. [1] Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven is a good place to get the flavor of it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Banner_of_Heaven
on “Sexual loneliness: A neglected public health problem?” ↗I told the last missionaries at my door that I'd read "Under the banner of heaven" by John n Krakauer. Haven't seen one since.
on “NASA Scientists Theory: What If We Aren't First Advanced Civilization on Earth?” ↗Why didn't you say they were mormons from the beginning? That all makes sense now. Truth, lies, and morality doesn't mean the same in that case. Read Under The Banner of Heaven by Krakauer.
on “Bricks and Minifigs Stole a Man's $200k Lego Collection” ↗…actually found "Into the Wild" to be among his least interesting--probably because I couldn't really identify with McCandless."Into Thin Air" is the book that put him on the mainstream map and it's awesome. "Under the Banner of Heaven" is particularly noteworthy as well--although I found the historical parts the more interesting. (The modern story was mostly just depressing.)
on “How Chris McCandless Died: An Update” ↗…expect that for-profit communities will end up being the city-state version of Away: high-minded language, an always-positive public face, and a lot of abuse and exploitation behind the scenes. [1] See "Under the Banner of Heaven" for a readable take: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FC1R2S/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?...
on “The Hottest New Thing in Seasteading Is Land” ↗"Under the Banner of Heaven" explains this effect a bit. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZCGPUA/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?...
on “Mormonism and Multilevel Marketing Companies” ↗…so much I then when on an Ann Applebaum kick of Iron Curtain, Gulag and Red Famine, all of which were very good. If you were going to pick one of hers, I'd do Gulag. John Kraukauer's Into Thin Air and Under the Banner of Heaven are excellent, as is Crisis in the Red Zone about the origins and spread of ebola in the Sierra Leon. edit: Oh! Also Midnight in Chernobyl was amazing, especially great if you listen to it before or…
on “Where is the scrutiny over FDA’s role in the overdose epidemic?” ↗…both whacky + young faith. That said, I love and appreciate that Mormons don't murder over cartoons, so way to go! If I had a book, you'd be OK in it! Of course, those FLDS are terrifying... I did read Under the Banner of Heaven a while back, so I'm getting more than just South Park.
on “Small Utah ISP firm stands up to ‘surveillance state’” ↗…the first officer Exactly. Patriarchy isn't just a system where all men have power over all women. It's also about hierarchies of men. A good example is the FLDS [1], which Jon Krakauer wrote about in Under the Banner of Heaven. [2] There, the highest-status men are supported by other men who are rewarded with dominance over other lower-down people. That produces a bunch of surplus young men who are eventually driven off. This…
on “Dark Waters of Self-Delusion: The crash of Transair flight 810” ↗I read everything he writes. The only time I have had a problem with anything he said was in "Under the Banner of Heaven" he partially blamed the Mormon church for the kidnap and rape of Elizabeth Smart. I suspect that the guy that kidnapped her would have been a piece of shit no matter what religion he was born into.
on “How Chris McCandless Died: An Update” ↗Here's the case I'll make: The radical Mormon sects, to my understanding (which is limited to Under the Banner of Heaven[1]) have somewhat strong textual justifications for their practices: it's a matter of historical fact that the early Mormons were polygamists, were vitriolic racists, &c. This is in contrast to both…
on “Polio Detected in US” ↗It's not interesting if you are at all familiar with Mormons. The problem is people are only familiar with us from Under The Banner of Heaven saying we're all violent extremists or countless reality TV shows painting us all as polygamist.
on “Adult website Pornhub blocks users in Utah from accessing the site” ↗…list: The Half Known Life Born a Crime American Prometheus Operation Mincemeat Leonardo Da Vinci Powers and Thrones The Icepick Surgeon Destiny of the Republic The River of Doubt Red Famine Under the Banner of Heaven In Order to Live The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream Homo Deus The Confidence Men The Bomber Mafia Calypso Termination Shock Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor The Dawn of Everything…
on “Neanderthals hunted dangerous cave lions, study shows” ↗