The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo

by B.H. Roberts

Book Overview

The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Publisher: Salt Lake City,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970800886
• ISBN13: 9780970800886
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Maasai
• Length: 446 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Indispensable Mormon and American History

B. H. Roberts' classic account of the Mormon establishment in Illinois and subsequent expulsion from the state is tendentious, impassioned, and plain-spoken; and these are some of the qualities that make this riveting book so notable. Roberts' writing constitutes a refreshing antidote to the modern ivory-tower academic approach to Mormon history, which too often feigns impartiality while betraying an underlying anti-Mormon bias, and even blaming the Mormons for their own difficulties. Not so with Roberts, who does not hesitate to call traitors traitors, dishonor dishonor, and courage courage. The Mormon expulsion from Illinois is not myth but reality, and Roberts' treatment of it is indignant yet measured. The very commentary that offends the academicians' sensibilities is what makes his writing memorable. To many Americans, the story of a religious group being expelled by mobocratic and military force from the country with the approbation of state and federal authorities is contradictory to assumed ideas of liberty, tolerance, and civil rights. Roberts' account is an eye-opener in this respect, as he details "the scene of a people in free America--the boasted asylum for the oppressed, where religious freedom is guaranteed by express constitutional provision--fleeing from the worst forms of oppresion..."; if it could happen then, why not now?The text reviews all the well-known events, but also includes sporadic character development and interesting notations, such as the observation that Stephen Markham's name seemed to inspire fear in anti-Mormon ears. Roberts' treatment of the Battle of Nauvoo is a notable portion that has received less attention in similar histories.While other Nauvoo histories are better documented and less partisan, this one will remain a classic for its direct and graphic detailing of religious persecution in America. For this reason alone it is a book that should be read twice--by both Mormon and non-Mormon Americans alike.

The best Nauvoo book ever

This book is the first-known history of the saints in Nauvoo, Illinois and was first published in 1900. It is faith promoting and worth every dime. The hard back can be found at Deseret Book.

Reprint Classic of a Classic History

Elder B. H. Roberts was a maverick, and that is what makes this history so interesting. He was able to mix the good and the bad, the agony and the ecstasy of the history of Nauvoo: the City of Joseph.I think that Elder Roberts was born in the right time to write such a book. He knew many of the displaced citizens of Nauvoo, but he also knew that many of the rising generation needed to know about this great phase in the History of the Church of Jesus Christ.This book has the feel of Elder Roberts' "History of the Church," and "Comprehensive History of the Church." It has a strong reliance on Joseph Smith's journals and diaries, and other primary sources. Moreover, Elder Roberts was not afraid to cite critical sources-or even anti-Mormon sources in telling his story. He was very careful to avoid the sensational and untrue "faith promoting rumors" that fill our testimony meetings.The only criticism is that there are no illustrations, which is more a fault of technology than a bad judgment call. It was harder to print pictures in the 1900 than it is now.

Old Nauvoo

This book is a must read for Mormons and Non-Mormons. It is a heart-wrenching story of the Saints and their persecutions in Nauvoo. I highly recommend this book!