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Under the Banner of Heaven (Abridged): A Story of Violent Faith Audiobook

Under the Banner of Heaven (Abridged): A Story of Violent Faith Audiobook, by Jon Krakauer Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Jon Krakauer Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: July 2003 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739306581

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

51

Longest Chapter Length:

08:21 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:49 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

06:19 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

21

Publisher Description

This extraordinary work of investigative journalism takes readers inside America’s isolated Mormon Fundamentalist communities, where some 40,000 people still practice polygamy. 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.

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.

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"This took me awhile to plow through, but I'm glad I read it. I knew a bit about the religion before reading the book, but was disturbed to discover how much I didn't know about the early beginnings of the movement. Although the focus was on the fundamental offshoots, Krakauer connects the dots between the history, mainstream LDS, and the cultism of some of the fundamental groups. The history and rationalization of polygamy was especially disturbing, particularly the child brides and the tight control over women."

— Esther (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Krakauer writes with almost astonishing narrative force.”

    — Baltimore Sun
  • “Stunningly researched…Elegant reportage…An evenhanded inquiry into the nature of religious belief itself.”

    — Newsday
  • “Illuminating…Provocative…Krakauer is an adept chronicler of extremists [and] the tour guide of choice for secular quests.”

    — Los Angeles Times Book Review
  • “A powerful portrait of how two seemingly ordinary Americans became murderers.”

    — Economist
  • “A hair-raising true-crimer.”

    — Chicago Sun-Times
  • “A great book…Krakauer has found a fascinating story in plain sight, right in the heart of the American West, and told it with the narrative drive and unflinching honesty that marked his 1998 bestseller, Into Thin Air.”

    — Oregonian
  • “Fascinating…Engrossing…Krakauer’s knack for crackling narrative and taut focus…drives this thought-provoking story.”

    — Columbus Dispatch
  • “A powerful look at how religious belief can cross the line into fanaticism.”

    — San Jose Mercury News
  • “Jon Krakauer is at his provocative best.”

    — New Orleans Times-Picayune
  • “Terrifying…Startling…Mov[es] deftly between past and present [and] provides a fascinating glimpse of the church today.”

    — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  • “Captivating…Fascinating and appalling…[Krakauer] should be applauded—and read.”

    — San Diego Union-Tribune
  • “Horrific, gripping…Soberly written and courageously reported.”

    — Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
  • “Compelling…Provocative…Illuminating…A gripping tale.”

    — Christian Science Monitor
  • “A disturbing picture of Morman fundamentalists…Krakauer’s straightforward style and excellent storytelling ability make the book interesting.”

    — Rocky Mountain News
  • “Riveting…Intriguing…Breezy, smooth, and vigorously written, this ambitious book is entertaining and informative…Krakauer reconstructs the Lafferty brothers’ descent into fatal fanaticism magnificently, interweaving their story throughout the book and giving this wide-ranging work narrative coherence and emotional resonance…[He is] a superb storyteller.”

    — Raleigh News and Observer
  • “Marvelous…A departure from Into Thin Air and Into the Wild…but every bit as engrossing.”

    — Entertainment Weekly
  • “Well-researched and evenhanded…Thought-provoking.”

    — USA Today
  • “Startling…Timely…Krakauer uncovers a ghastly trail of forced marriage, polygamy, violence, and mind control…A chilling look at Mormon fundamentalism.”

    — Charlotte Observer

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • A 2003 ALA Notable Book Finalist for Nonfiction
  • A 2003 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Current Interest

Under the Banner of Heaven Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5483870967741935 out of 53.5483870967741935 out of 53.5483870967741935 out of 53.5483870967741935 out of 53.5483870967741935 out of 5 (3.55)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 15
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very interesting and quite shocking. "

    — Jill, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazing. Mormon history. What could be more apropos w/ this election? "

    — Jefe, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fascinating, well written and quite disturbing on many levels. "

    — Sharon, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Some parts are slow or feel disjointed, but some parts, most parts, feel downright gripping and I couldn't stop reading. "

    — Diana, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is one of the most captivating books I've ever read. "

    — lindsay!, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Compellingly written, well-researched, a good entry point on the FLDS. I wish there was an updated edition that covered Warren Jeffs arrest however. "

    — Ben, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fascinating. Couldn't put it down. Hard to believe it's non-fiction. "

    — Chargr2, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Utterly fascinating. I highly recommend. "

    — Jenna, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Super intense and super messed up! Honestly, I had to put it down a few times in utter disgust but overall I'm glad I read it. "

    — Dana, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Krakauer is an insanely talented journalist. He could write about anything and make it compelling. This book was fascinating all the way through-- well-researched and smart. I love how he extended the conversation to apply to all different kinds of faith. Worth a read! "

    — Katie, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I listened to this one on audio during my commute. It's gripping stuff from a great journalist, but not necessarily Krakauer's best stuff. "

    — Steve, 11/21/2013

About Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer is the preeminent writer of narrative nonfiction. His numerous bestsellers include Under the Banner of Heaven, Into the Wild, and Into Thin Air. He is editor of the Modern Library Exploration series.