Under the Banner of Heaven

Categories: In the News , Movies & Books , Staff Picks , Nonfiction

I recently noticed on the library's book discussion group calendar that the Miami Township Branch Library book club will be discussing Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer on Tuesday, January 8th at 10:00 a.m. 

I read the book this past summer and was blown away.  I found myself wanting to talk about it with anyone who would listen--much to the annoyance of my husband and coworkers, I’m sure.  But Krakauer’s book is that good.  He grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.

Under the Banner of Heaven tells the true story of Mormon fundamentalists Dan and Ron Lafferty, who murdered the wife and infant daughter of their younger brother Allen in 1984 but claimed they were acting on direct orders from God. 

The most interesting aspect of the book for me was Krakauer’s detailed history of the Mormon faith, a religion I knew little about.  If you have further interest in this subject, watch the acclaimed PBS documentary The Mormons on DVD.

Krakauer’s earlier book Into the Wild was recently adapted on film and just received four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and two Academy Award nominations.  His bestseller Into Thin Air (1997) is also a gripping read.