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Stunning Narration

Revisado: 08-02-18

In addition to the moving story, the performance by Robin Miles was simply stunning.

This is certainly one of those texts that is better heard than listened to - particularly if you would find reading a written dialect or African pronunciations difficult. I am very pleased that I chose the audiobook version of this text because it was so moving and I could focus on the story.

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Accept the Flaws and It’s a Good Story

Revisado: 01-28-18

In favor of this book, I don’t feel like the plot is predictable - but that being said, it may be because there are looong stretches of time between the occurrence of events in the book. I feel like the book could have benefited from more rigorous editing, but I concede that such a transformation may have diminished Fellowes’ voice, if that is something that you find compelling.

My three biggest complaints are:

1. It took FOUR HOURS to get to the introduction of the main plot/romance.

2. There are extended interludes between updates on the different storylines, so much so that I sort of felt a sense of abandonment. Literal DAYS and weeks pass in the story before we go back to seeing main characters.

3. When major reveals are happening between characters, Julian Fellowes cuts away from the scene (much like he did with Downton Abbey). We lose the satisfaction of reading X’s reaction to Y’s news, because we get to the drawing room door, and the next time we see X is 100 pages later, and the news has already been digested. The biggest reveal in the book happens entirely “offscreen,” and I felt cheated that we missed out on the satisfaction of seeing the plot of 350 pages finally come to fruition.

Those three points aside, I did feel drawn to continue and complete the book. The story is quite interesting, but the book could have been better.

If you are a fan of this genre, and of Julian Fellowes, this is a worthy story to add to your collection.

Apparently there is an app to go along with this story with maps and photos and additional information - I think that would be interesting and would really add to the experience of the story.

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Fascinating Primary Source

Revisado: 01-18-18

If you're not familiar with the palace intrigues of the White House, this book is going to be eye-opening. For those that are, it's a delightful exercise in schadenfreude. Although Wolff didn't have the opportunity to delve deeply into the major players' motivations in the same way that investigative journalists often try to accomplish, his account is fascinating because it captures events that are still so fresh in our minds.

As a historian, I think that this book will long be one of the most illuminating primary source documents to which future researchers will turn when studying this era in American - and likely world - history.

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Makes You Reassess Your Reasons for Reading

Revisado: 01-05-18

First of all, the love that the author continually demonstrates to and for her parents is what makes this story readable. Without the power of her love for them, her story would be dark and depressing, but when you start to understand that Miller is a stellar example of someone who is able to love past the trauma, her life does become a model for how we all should approach life.

I'll admit that I bought this audiobook because I'm fascinated by the popular TV show "Hoarders," and that I enjoy(ed) watching what is undeniably a traumatizing experience for those who appear on that show. The author of this book did an amazing job describing from the inside the terrible life that awaits someone who is swept away by a hoarder, and it has made me reassess my enjoyment of the show Hoarders. The emotional impact that Miller so rawly describes in this book is compelling and makes hoarders into people again, where they have previously just been used as entertainment for television.

I think Miller is a great narrator for this audiobook, and there are points at which you can truly hear the emotion in her voice, as well as the deep love she has for her parents. That underlying current of true love is what makes her parents redeemable, and what makes this story ultimately so important.

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Great Personal Account

Revisado: 12-07-17

One of the best things about this story is the fact that half of it takes place after Rebecca Musser leaves the FLDS. The part of the book that is spent talking about her life outside and her participation in the investigation of the Yearning for Zion Ranch and the ensuing court cases really gives the reader parts of the story that are new and unique - even if you followed the news stories and reporting about the raid and the legal battles. I really think this book is a good personal account companion to other books about fundamental mormonism that provide more historical context, like Under the Banner of Heaven (by Jon Krakauer) or Secrets and Wives (by Sanjiv Bhattacharya).

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Good Supplement to Other Works

Revisado: 11-27-17

This book is a fun jaunt into the world of Jim Harmston's polygamous splinter sect, and it is definitely enjoyable! Knowing the background of the religion and the history and culture of mormonism is definitely useful before you get to this book, so I think it's best as a supplement to other, longer texts that address the history and development of fundamental mormonism, particularly "Secrets and Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy," by Sanjiv Bhattacharya, and "Under the Banner of Heaven," by Jon Krakauer.

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Provides a Good Sense of WBC Indoctrination

Revisado: 08-02-17

Prior to listening to this book, I listened to "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop, and the differences between how these two women describe their respective extreme religions is striking. Although Lauren recognizes the hypocrisy and extreme nature of the WBC, she writes/speaks of it in a tone of voice that implies that she is justifying their behavior. Throughout the book, as she describes church members and activities, she nearly always provided some sort of justification for their behavior. When Lauren introduces Shirley, she describes her as having "a kind, gentle, and caring manner" - meanwhile, if you have seen any WBC documentaries, interviews, or pickets, those are the last words that you would use to describe Shirley.

I kept on waiting for her tone to shift, and become more negative or critical of the church, but it never does. While that may have been a decision made by Lisa Pulitzer, I found it interesting and unsettling. But I think that it really hits home the intense level of indoctrination that the WBC inflicts upon its members. That is what I will primarily take away from this book, and I think that may have been Lauren Drain's goal.

Overall, a good account of Lauren Drain's life in the church. I would say that this book is a good companion to the various documentaries out there that profile the WBC. If I hadn't seen Louis Theroux's work ahead of listening to this, I may have been a little lost.

I also really appreciated the bits of historical backstory about the church that were provided here - I think that was very helpful in understanding the WBC more fully.

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Great for People Interested in Mormon History!

Revisado: 07-24-17

Would you listen to Under the Banner of Heaven again? Why?

I would definitely listen to this audiobook again so that I could ingest even more of the historical information!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Under the Banner of Heaven?

The quotes from the murderer were chilling, but I have to say that I learned so much about the history of Mormon culture and the development of the theology! Which was exactly what I wanted from this audiobook.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

I thought that there was excellent speech pacing given the extensive amount of information being presented. I did often rewind to better focus and make mental connections, so his clear speech and cadence was very helpful for keeping me on track.

If you could give Under the Banner of Heaven a new subtitle, what would it be?

A History of Mormon Theological and Cultural Development

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