Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer Summary
Overview of Under the Banner of Heaven
Jon Krakauer's explosive investigation into Mormon fundamentalism reveals how faith fuels violence. Adapted into an acclaimed FX series, this controversial bestseller shocked Will Self with its "twisted roots of American fundamentalism." What dark truths about religious extremism remain hidden in plain sight?
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Key takeaways
When Two Brothers Heard God's Voice-And Murdered
On a sweltering July afternoon in 1984, Dan Lafferty walked into his brother's home in American Fork, Utah, wrestled his sister-in-law Brenda to the ground, and slit her throat with a ten-inch boning knife. Then he went to the nursery and did the same to her fifteen-month-old daughter, Erica. His hands were steady. His conscience was clear. He was, after all, just following orders-God's orders, delivered through his brother Ron's divine revelation. This wasn't a crime, Dan insisted later from his prison cell, his wild white beard reaching his chest. This was obedience. How does a devoted family man become convinced that murdering a young mother and her baby is righteous? This question drives us into the heart of Mormon fundamentalism, where faith doesn't just move mountains-it justifies slaughter. The Lafferty case isn't an isolated aberration. It's a window into what happens when religious certainty collides with reality, when scripture becomes more real than the human beings it's used to condemn.
The Prophets in Prison Jumpsuits
The City Where Heaven Touches Earth
The Prophet Who Saw Through Stones
Polygamy's Hidden Kingdoms
The Revelation That Killed
Where Certainty Leads
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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