ZEALOTS OF ZION - 1931

Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, [1931]., 1931. First edition. First edition. 8vo. Tan cloth, titles stamped in black on the front cover and spine, pictorial front and rear endpapers, 317 pp., frontispiece, illustrated from photographs, drawings, portraits, maps, bibliography. Drawings by Charles Hargens. This is a fictionalized account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. "The author writes a biography of the humble men and women among the Latter-Day Saints who suffered and endured so that cities might grow where before was only the Great American Desert. This with the astonishing result that Brigham Young and the recognized leaders of the Mormon Church are virtually ignored. The story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre is told without prejudice. From the actual records of the Church. Mr. Birney has extracted the grim truth of the most terrible atrocity in the history of America. The book will stand as a monument of incredible research and a valuable contribution to Americana." - from the jacket. Farquhar 37 says: "A great deal about John D. Lee. as well as about Jacob Hamblin, but of particular importance because of the chapters on the migration to the San Juan and the amazing episode of 'The Hole-in-the Rock.'" - Eberstadt says "Extensive account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, from the 'records.'" Former owner's inked name, date and brief comment on verso of the front free fly leaf else a fine, tight copy in the colorful dust jacket with light wear to the spine ends, corners and extremities. Handsome copy.