I found this a very interesting and compelling read. The authors don't pull any punches but write about what she (Mrs. Musser) experienced mostly from the viewpoint of when it happened. She mentions the atmosphere and lack of outside influence in the manipulation of the majority of the members of FLDS. What she does not say is that it qualifies as a cult in mentality. I found that interesting but in after pondering it I agree, do define this as a cult* when trying to express her experiences would have placed it in the status of "lesser" and that would have lessened the impact of what she was conveying. Her story and the way she feels about members she knows and is related to is presented in an even-handed manner. In the latter portion of the book she briefly addresses her experience in losing faith and regaining it back in a different perspective (which doesn't follow Mormonism from my guess but she never specifies), it is not overdone and very much in context.

I feel for many of the people left in this environment. Hopefully one day some of them will have the opportunity to see it from the other side. In the meantime would someone PLEASE remove all outside access to the leaders of this group. It will only help in the long run. ( )

This is such a raw look at polygamy under the Jeffs' tyranny, it actually made me nauseous. Really well written though ( )

This was horrifying.

I still think that the LeBaron family is more interesting than the Jeffs. It is hard to believe how much abuse was in the FDLS church and that they were so brain washed that they believed that it was okay for a 12 year old to marry a 50 or 60 year old man. yuck! ( )

It would be hard to give this book less than four stars, it's a well written autobiography. Of the books I have read about the FLDS this is one of the best. Musser manages to walk the line of information delivery and being compelling without launching into pity. Unlike under a banner of heaven this book doesn't touch on Mormonism except to illustrate the difference between LDS and FLDS, it also doesn't draw any conclusions about the faith, rather it rests solely on the condemnation of warren jeffs and his father Roulon. A good read for anyone interested in the trial or the subject. ( )