Mormon America [Paperback]

"a long overdue primer on one of the fastest growing religions in the world... This book is eminently fair, well researched and exhaustive... the authors are diligent referees of fights pst and present."

-"The New York Times Book Review

"The Ostlings... have succeeded splendidly... [the book] is a scrupulous, fair-minded account, one that neither shies away from the controversies that have shaped the perception of Mormonism nor has any particular ax to grind about them... remarkably careful, fair and untendentious... a useful introduction to the Mormon church..."

-"The Los Angeles Times Book Review

"This book is long overdue... refreshingly current... "Mormon America offers a reliable and compelling account of this flourishing religion for insiders and outsiders alike. It is sensitive about topics and beliefs that Mormons hold sacred."

-"Books and Culture

"The Ostlings have presented, in a very appealing, accessible way, massive amounts of information."

-"The Christian Science Monitor

"This definitive introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) for most non-Mormons will also be essential reading for Mormons who are interested in something other than an 'all is well' analysis of thier church...Highly recommended for all libraries."

--David S. Azzolina, Univ. of Pennslyvania Libs., " Library Journal

."..an exhaustive, thoroughly documented tome at a time when Salt Lake City and it's most prominent religion are being thrust into the spotlight by the looming 2002 Winter Olympic Games to be held there."

-- Abigail K. Leichman, "Record

."..well balanced and often insightful. Thier erudite chapter on Mormon theology sheds light on fascinating but neglected subject (even by Mormons)... and they sensitively portray what is at stake in the telling of Morman history..."

-- "Publisher's Weekly

There has long been a need for a balanced, overall study of modern Mormonism, written as objectively as possible, with no axes to grind. The Ostlings, both Eastern journalist and non-Mormons, have achieved that goal with this interesting, well researched, well written book about America's fastest growing religion...In a thick but manageable book, they have covered most of the topics germane to an understanding of Mormonism-it's history, theology and culture...The Ostlings are consistenly fair-minded...This is a lively book that makes interesting and informative reading."

-- Dennis Lythgoe, "Deseret News

.".."Mormon America provides a revealing yet respectful resource that unlocks the secrets of one of the fastest-growing religions worldwide.."

-- "TheBanner

."..they provide much to ruminate upon and, in the process of comparing Mormonism to other Christian faiths, a short course in traditional theology for adherents who tend to be ignorant these days about the basis of thier own beliefs. Agree or disagree, you will be enlightened and unstructed by this book."

-- Maude McDaniel, "bookpage.com

"This is a book to be read with appreciation and profit by Mormon and non-Mormon alike. The Ostlings have set aside the long-standing myths and stereotypes, producing a comprehensive overview of Mormonism that is fair-minded, informed, religiously sensitive--and highly readable! A valuable gift to all of us who need to know more about a faith-community that was born in America and has become a major world religion."

-- Richard J. Mouw, president and professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Seminary

""Mormon America is easily the most informative and accessible introduction to Mormonism yet produced. The authors tell the story of America's premier indigenous religion in a fair and evenhanded way. They even manage to explain some of the more obscure beliefs and practices of the Latter-day Saints without resorting to voyeurism."

-- Randall Balmer, author of "Blessed Assurance: A History of Evangelicalism in America

""Mormon America represents religious reporting at its best--neither a puff piece nor anexpose, neither superficial nor arcane. Rather, serious engagement with scholarship on the Mormons is combined with serious attention to Mormon lives today and serious grappling with the religious claims of Mormon faith to produce a very good book."

-- Mark A. Noll, professor of history, Wheaton College, and author of "A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada

"A 'good read' on a difficult and complex topic. It is a fair and balanced assessment of the place of today's Mormon Church in national American life. Both Mormons and non-Mormons will learn a lot, and they can rely on what they read in this book."

-- Armand L. Mauss, professor emeritus of sociology and religious studies at Washington State University and author of "The Angel and the Beehive: The Mormon Struggle with Assimilation

"A new book, "Mormon America, sheds light on this uniquely American faith. It is not Mormon bashing. Neither is it quiet proselytizing ... Associated Press religion writer Richard Ostling and his wife, reporter Joan Ostling, provide a journalistic probe of the Utah-based church. Relying solely on Mormon sources, the couple provide a clear-eyed portrait of the church, its admirable and infamous sides."

-"Contra Costa Times

""Mormon America ... is remarkable in the way it interweaves already known historical, sociological, theological and political facts with viewpoints, positive and negative, that othershave previously stated. It is by far the best single-volume overview of the church ever written."

--"Salt Lake City Tribune

""Mormon America is an exhaustively researched, well-written and scrupulously fair account of the origins, nature and evolution of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

--"Arkansas Democrat

"In "Mormon America, Richard Ostling...and his wife, Joan Ostling...have demystified Mormonism....The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now an immense success; the Ostlings' excellent book deserves to be one, as well."

--"Arkansas Democrat

."..even a reader who has some familiarity with the tenets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will discover an embarrassment of riches in this book..."

--"The Seattle Times

."..a detailed and fair-minded examination of the 169-year history, complex religious practices and present-day lifestyles of the members of the Utah-based Church..."

--"The Seattle Times

."..carefully researched and clearly written..."

--"The Seattle Times

"[A] fine, one-volume introduction to the whole Mormon story."

--"Times LiterarySupplement