Good book on LDS history?

[Last_Daze]

Hey y'all,

I am looking for a good book on the early history of the LDS church (ie, Joseph Smith through the exodus and the early years in Utah). Not necessarily one 'endorsed' by the church, but not one openly critical of the church either.

Any thoughts?

[NeuroTypical]

Rough Stone Rolling is out in the last few years, and hailed by both critic and believer alike. I haven't read it, just heard the good reviews.

[Maureen]

I recommend Mormon Enigma:Emma Hale Smith.

Mormon Enigma: EMMA HALE SMITH: Amazon.ca: Linda King Newell, Valeen Tippetts Avery: Books

M.

[Just_A_Guy]

Allen and Leonard's The Story of the Latter-day Saints.

[rameumptom]

For Joseph Smith's history, Bushman's Rough Stone Rolling has no equal. It is a faithful history, and doesn't lean to either being a faith promoting semi-fictional history of Joseph Smith (as you find in his mother's and nephew's writings about him). Nor is it a hatchet job, as you'll often find from non-members.

There aren't any decent, recent general history books going into the early Utah years that I'm aware of. There are some excellent ones that discuss specific issues or events, such as on polygamy or Mountain Meadows Massacre.

[Last_Daze]

Thanks for the replies, folks. My thing is that I think it might just be difficult to find books that fit what I am looking for. I have no interest in an anti-LDS hatchet job (G-D knows how abundant those are), but I also don't have a huge interest in hagiographies, sanitized histories or anything of that sort. I just want something that is going to be honest about how things were and are.

[Maureen]

Thanks for the replies, folks. My thing is that I think it might just be difficult to find books that fit what I am looking for. I have no interest in an anti-LDS hatchet job (G-D knows how abundant those are), but I also don't have a huge interest in hagiographies, sanitized histories or anything of that sort. I just want something that is going to be honest about how things were and are.

Last_Daze, you should check out Signature Books:

Quoted in the Deseret News on our third anniversary, George Smith explained the purpose of Signature Books: “As a team, we are committed to expanding the scope of Mormon history,” he said, “as well as enhancing the opportunities for expression by scholars and writers within the local community.” Thinking about it recently, we have decided that this remains our intent today.

Signature Books About Signature Books

M.

[Saguaro]

Thanks for the replies, folks. My thing is that I think it might just be difficult to find books that fit what I am looking for. I have no interest in an anti-LDS hatchet job (G-D knows how abundant those are), but I also don't have a huge interest in hagiographies, sanitized histories or anything of that sort. I just want something that is going to be honest about how things were and are.

As others have mentioned, Rough Stone Rolling fits that bill. If you're interested, the author, Richard Bushman, has done podcast interviews for Mormon Stories and FAIR.

If you want something more modern, try Amazon.com: David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism (9780874808223): Gregory A Prince, Wm Robert Wright: Books. It's not just about DOM, but about the church's growth (and growing pains) as it became a more modern church during the 50s and 60s.

[rameumptom]

Last_Daze, you should check out Signature Books:

Quoted in the Deseret News on our third anniversary, George Smith explained the purpose of Signature Books: “As a team, we are committed to expanding the scope of Mormon history,” he said, “as well as enhancing the opportunities for expression by scholars and writers within the local community.” Thinking about it recently, we have decided that this remains our intent today.

Signature Books About Signature Books

M.

Still, you have to use a lot of caution at Signature books, as they also produce a lot of hatchet jobs that are passed along as scholarly books.