The Book of Mormon : A Biography Hardcover - 2012

"Paul Gutjahr has written the perfect book on the Book of Mormon fascinating, forthright, empathetic, critical, and discerning. Gutjahr employs his sheer intellectual curiosity to produce a lively, enlightening history that deftly circles among Joseph Smith, Mormons, and critics as though they were themselves engaged in an intelligent civil conversation. The result is an ideal guide to the life of a now-iconic American religious text."--Jon Butler, Yale University

"There can be no doubt that the Book of Mormon is among the most influential books in American history. Gutjahr's clear, compelling narrative traces this influence from the book's American beginnings through translations, migrations, and cultural adaptations into its global twenty-first century. Gutjahr treats his subject with respect, thoughtfulness, appreciation, scholarly rigor, and intellectual curiosity. Mormons and non-Mormons alike will find his book fascinating, freshly informative, and a pleasure to read."--Joanna Brooks, author of The Book of Mormon Girl

"With impressive command of detail rendered in lucid, accessible prose, Paul Gutjahr has produced a marvelously informative account of the Book of Mormon from its origins to the present. This is a very useful book for understanding American religious history."--Randall Balmer, author of The Making of Evangelicalism: From Revivalism to Politics and Beyond

"This probing and engaging study surveys the history, use, translation, and adaptation into other media of the Book of Mormon. I know of nothing else quite like it. Religious traditions change over time, and controlling a sacred text plays an important role in the self-identity of the community. Gutjahr explains not simply how changes in the text took place, but why."--Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, editor of American Scriptures: An Anthology of Sacred Writings

"Paul Gutjahr's book offers a well-written, balanced summary of much of the scholarship on the Book of Mormon, and presents new insights and lesser-known information as well."--Richard Lyman Bushman, author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling