Amusing treatment, but narration problems

The subject matter of the book is good; I didn't learn anything new, but the presentation was very amusingly written. For those not familiar with Mormonism from the outside, it's a good overview, if perhaps a little cheeky.

However, the narrator's constant and consistent mispronunciations often threw me out of the narrative. If you are going to do a book about Mormonism, at least learn to pronounce some of the place names, personal names, and words correctly. Just a few examples:

Mormon specific:
- Palmyra (pal-MY-rah, not pal-MEE-rah -- I live about 30 minutes away from it)
- Deseret (DEZ-er-et, not DESS-er-et - like "desert")

Names:
- Ervil LeBaron, not Evril LeBaron (to be charitable, he may have been reading a typo)
- Jon Krakauer (KRA-kow-er, not "cracker")

Normal words:
- Sheepishly, not sheeplishly
- Prodigal (PRAH-dih-gul) son, not prodigial (prah-DIHJ-ee-al) son

There are many, many other examples, but this shows a certain lack of direction and editing, as well as some ignorance by the narrator.

29 people found this helpful

The weak link is the narrator.

Fitzgerald did an incredible amount of research for this. He puts it together well, he's as respectful and measured as he can be here. It is a great cultural history and examination. The only weak link is Smalley's narration. On his podcast he's effective and articulate. Reading a prepared work, he is at times stilted and clumsy. He outright pronounces a few words just plain wrong, and he continues to do so throughout the work. It can be a bit distracting.

7 people found this helpful

Hilarious and disturbing history.

The author has an ax to grind, and he sharpens his ax beautifully. It's funny and well documented, full of illuminating history from the goofy and occasionally violent days of the Mormons.

A less than stellar reading, though. Although the narrator is a likable radio host, he offers many cringe-worthy mispronunciations that detract from the flow. ("Ec cetera" is particularly jarring, as it occurs in the text frequently. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then buy the book.) I had to decode "cholera" when it was pronounced ko-LER-uh. I lost half a paragraph figuring that out.

12 people found this helpful

Surprisingly well researched and engaging book!

Based on the title, I expected this book to present carping trivialities and half-truths or outright lies about the Mormon church. Though it is irreverent, which the author warns, having grown up as a Mormon, gone on a mission, and graduated from BYU, I found the historical portions of the book to be accurate. I would even suggest this book to other mormons. Everyone should confront the messy truths of their belief system along with those pushed forward by their trusted leaders. There are a lot of truths presented in this book that Mormon leadership wish would stay out of sight. On the downside, the reader destroys the pronunciation of many, if not most, people and places names.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent narrative! (I'm Mormon...)

This narrative was absolutely riveting to me as a Mormon! After the Church published the gospel topics essays revealing previously suppressed information, I realized I had to consult outside sources for the entire truth. Its time we know the true history of the one true church of God on earth.

9 people found this helpful

A witty skewering of Mormon history & culture

Growing up in southwest Wyoming, about 3 hours from Salt Lake City, I knew lots of Mormon kids. As a sheltered Catholic girl, I viewed their religion with suspicion. They believed in Jesus, but not the RIGHT Jesus, and had kooky beliefs (at least compared to more familiar, mainstream Christian culture.)

As a secular adult fascinated by religious movements and the psychology of belief, I dabbled in Mormon history and in problems with the scriptures fabricated - I mean, translated - by Joseph Smith. From David Fitzgerald's entertaining book, I learned much more about the Mormons and had a great time doing it.

Fitzgerald begins with Joseph Smith's checkered (and decidedly unholy) past and traces Mormon migrations up until Brigham Young led them to Utah. He delves into the controversial aspects of Mormon beliefs - the early practice of polygamy (and how Church leaders covered it up), pre-mortal existence, convoluted beliefs about the afterlife, secret temple rituals and sealings.

Fitzgerald poked plenty of fun at the Mormon church, but on a deeper level, his book highlighted the dangers of a maligned group of outsiders becoming paranoid and insular. His account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre was riveting and horrifying.

The funniest parts of the book described Mark Hofmann robbing the church of thousands of dollars with his historical forgeries, and how con-man Joseph Smith was bested by cons specifically set up to trap him. (He proudly asserted to a visiting English clergyman his ancient Greek psalter was actually a Greek-Egyptian dictionary.)

To my fellow apostates: Treat kindly any Mormon missionaries who come to your door. The church puts those poor kids through hell.

4 people found this helpful

The lunatic movement that gave rise to Scientology

What made the experience of listening to The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

well documented facts

What did you like best about this story?

that it is true, and that it reveals so much about the ethical and character failings of our forefathers. Also, that it is an obvious template for L Ron Hubbard's lunatic Scientology narrative of Xenu and his other crazy stories, that constitute Scientology's so-called theology, and also the CoS business model of 'tithing', by cash or slavery.

Which character – as performed by David Smalley – was your favorite?

Joseph Smith, Jr.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is disturbing that a lecherous, thieving liar like Joseph Smith, Jr., was able to attract any following at all. As to whether this is a Christian religion - read his own words that there is no one God - Mormonism is a polytheistic religion! A total rejection of the Abrahamic tradition.

12 people found this helpful

Great for those leaving the church or who really want to know about the REAL church

As a person who has recently left the church, although unofficially this book has shed additional light on who the real Joseph Smith was as well as those around him. Especially his family. It made me angry. It made me embarrassed and I shed quite a few tears. A must read for anyone questioning the church. The only thing that sort of drove me crazy was the narrators lack of getting the names of key people and places both in the BOM and in real life pronounced correctly. Example: Provo, Mosiah, Abinadi, Palmyra, just to name a few. Silly, but it did drive me crazy. 9.5 out of 10.

3 people found this helpful

Very shocking and eye opening

As a recently apostate mormon this has been quite an eye opener. I definitely recommend! I rate 5 stars for sure!

6 people found this helpful

Cant wait for the next of the author's books

Any additional comments?

Mr. Fitzgerald needs to read his own books! I always prefer to have the author read their own work, and when you have a speaker as good as David Fitzgerald it's a letdown not to hear it from his own voice.

Anyone not already familiar with Mr. Fitzgerald needs to look him up and hear him speak!

7 people found this helpful