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May 27, 2014 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

With American Crucifixion, Alex Beam chronicles the history of the Mormon Church through its inception in the mid-1800s to the death of its founding prophet Joseph Smith. The book is well researched and informative, its narrative as fascinating as any in American history. To the book’s sometimes detriment, American Crucifixion, however, can read like a textbook. No embellishment is necessary for a true tale as extraordinary and disturbing as this, but Beam’s writing often comes through as dry. That said, the story is presented without judgment; Beam leaves that to the reader. Polygamy is dealt with objectively and the inter-workings of how the doctrine fit in with Smith’s previous spiritual revelations and how it ended up affecting the Mormon community are interesting facts that may be lost to those only peripherally familiar with Mormon history. Ultimately, Smith’s tale ends in murder, one which is presented in context of all its antecedents, and the event’s consequences to both the church and the alleged conspirators is recounted in detail. Although Beam takes the story some time into the immediate future after Smith’s demise, his story largely ends with the end of Mormonism’s founder. Ultimately, American Crucifixion is a gripping tale of a strange era in American history. (www.publicaffairsbooks.com)

Author rating: 7/10