Juanita Brooks (1898–1989)

Ugh. So even the University of Utah Press is using glued bindings on their hardbacks now. Hiss! Boo!

As for the content: Brooks comes across as a rock-solid theist/supernaturalist, but it's hard to figure out the level of her commitment to the Restored Gospel in particular. When writing to Church leaders, she emphasized her activity, the many callings she held, etc. When writing to atheists, ex-Mormons, and anti-Mormons, she emphasized her unorthodoxy. Her friendly letters to Fawn Brodie seem more sincere than her friendly letters to General Authorities. She talked to LeGrand Richards about her recent temple attendance; she talked to others about her coffee-drinking. She talked constantly about following the truth wherever it led her, but did she do so in the matter of Oliver Overstreet? Mountain Meadows property owner Ezra Lytle is lauded as "a man of integrity and honor" when he refuses to sell to the Church, but when he refuses to sell to the government, Brooks laments the fact that private citizens have property rights.

There's lots of gossip in this book, for those who enjoy such things. I'm going to give Quicksand and Cactus a try; I think I'll like it a lot better..… (mer)