Howard

Oops. I Take it Back.

Revisado: 01-10-04

I wrote my first review after listening to an hour of the unabridged version of this audiobook. At that point, I made a snap judgement that the author, who was new to me, was simply presenting a shallow analysis of religious faith, and trying to sell books on the back of a lurid double murder and the titillation of describing the tawdry details of polygamist sects. But I had listened to all my other titles, so I stayed with the book. To my suprise, I got caught up with the fascinating history of the Mormons, presented with what seemed to be admirable objectivity. But when the author described the retrial of Ron Lafferty, the book's true payoff became clear. Through the words of the psychiatrists and psychologists mustered by the defense and prosecution, a devastating portrait of the puzzling, infuriating double murderer was painted. The real question is this: what is the difference between the defendant and personalities like Joseph Smith, described by William James as a "religious genius?" I found the answer provocative and compelling. I have never understood the workings of minds that conceive and carry out seemingly senseless actions like those described here. For the first time, this book gave me a glimmer of such an understanding. It also convinced me of the justice of the death sentence handed down in this case. I'm glad I kept listening!

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