Review: No Man Knows My History
Redaktioneller Bericht - Kirkus ReviewsWinner of the Knopf Literary Fellowship, ??Dawn Brodie has here told the story of Joseph Smith, Mormon leader, with an objective fairness, an appreciation of his magnetism, his potentialities, a recognition of his great gifts and great weaknesses and a full recognition of his achievement in establishing, not just another sect, but a way of life that has held his followers for over a century, much of the time against hate, misunderstanding, violent persecution. In presenting his early years, the biographer weighs the evidence, putting-in final analysis no credence in the actuality of divine vision, but showing how Joseph Smith, little by little, let his imagination, his gift of hypnotism, his innate brilliance build, from local superstition and legends of his times, a system that was bigger than he knew. The tragic pattern of his leadership -- tragic in its recurrent catastrophes -- was offset by the fulfillment of his dream of leadership, which ended in martyrdom, leaving behind him a foundation on which ??Brigham Young built soberly. Six migrations -- precipitated in many cases by physical violence; the gradual growth of an authoritarian system with elements of communistic living; the most problem of plural marriage unsolved -- and the way opened for the building of a new Zion -- such is the story. Fully documented.
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - Michael - GoodreadsI should start by saying that I am a Mormon. If that makes me biased in your eyes, then so be it. This is the first book-length text that I've ever read that analyzed an aspect of my religion (in this ... Vollständige Rezension lesen
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - David Kleparek - GoodreadsWhile the book gives a thorough look Joseph Smith from a source outside the faith he spawned, I do think Fawn oversteps in her narrative when she presumes his intentions in several instances. The book ... Vollständige Rezension lesen
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - Andrew - GoodreadsI have known of Fawn Brodie for many years. I was probably 13 or 14 when I first heard her name whispered in angry conversation in a church. And I ran into this book through some research I did in ... Vollständige Rezension lesen
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - Lon - GoodreadsTwo kinds of readers will be disappointed by this classic biography and a third delighted. 1. Readers looking for a lurid exposé revealing a shocking concatenation of debauchery will be disappointed ... Vollständige Rezension lesen
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - Todd - GoodreadsI read this book over twenty years ago. I find Mormonism a very interesting religion. This is more in the anti Mormon vein. But I found it to be very interesting, I may have to re read it sometime and see what I think of it today. Vollständige Rezension lesen
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - Becky Weaver - GoodreadsA fascinating portrait of a man, his family, and his times. Not being a religious person myself, I don't really care whether Smith was a prophet, charlatan, religious genius, or all of the above ... Vollständige Rezension lesen
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - Lisa - GoodreadsThis book took all my efforts to read for the first hundred pages but then it transformed into a compelling and confounding story. Vollständige Rezension lesen
Review: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith
Nutzerbericht - Robin - GoodreadsThis is a very well written, carefully documented book by a well respected professor of history at UCLA She brings Joseph Smith to life with all the documentation and footnotes backing her up. I ... Vollständige Rezension lesen
