I hold a master's degree in history and am particularly interested in Mormon and Western history. This is perhaps one of the best books I have ever read. This has been a research topic for the author for nearly twenty years, beginning as her doctoral dissertation entitled "Insanity and the Sweet Singer." Avery took great pains in researching this book, and delayed its publication until full disclosure of all works became available upon the death of David's final grandson. David was like a young prince, forced to live in the shadow of a famous father and older brother, both leaders of respective churches. Avery shows the slow descent into madness experienced by David Hyrum Smith as he tries to find his place. A disasterous mission to Salt Lake City to convert Mormons will be of interest to Mormons, Reorganized LDS members and readers in general. The look at the Elgin asylum is an fascinating topic for interested parties as well. You cannot go wrong with this book.

The book From Mission to Madness proves that mental illness can afflict even the posterity of the Prophets. David H. Smith, son of the famed Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, never lived to know his father; he missed the fatherly embrace by five months. Much to Brigham Young's dismay, David became affiliated with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was one of its most effective and revered missionaries. Mental illness overcame him, and he spent the last three decades of his life in a mental hospital. Avery performed wonderfully well in framing his life story, using personal and official RLDS church correspondence. I felt the heartache and pain that David's family experienced as they struggled, hoped and despaired. This book was so engaging that I actually read the entire book in less than two weeks (which, for me, is noteworthy when considering any non-fiction work over 100 pages). David Smith's life was replete with pathos and unfulfilled expectations (he was destined to take his father's place as Prophet). The book also adequately describes the perpetual tension that existed, and at times does currently exist, between the Utah and the RLDS Mormon churches. Even though Avery placed an inordinant emphasis on Smith's poetical works, I would recommend this book to all.

I was dying of curiosity; I wanted to know what happened to Emma Smith. This book tells you in detail--it even gives you the details of her children and her role in the mormon community during and after the prophets life. I am not a mormon; however, I have mormon history and I find Emma Smith fascinating. She believed her husband and followed him through so much. She never questioned his teachings except for the polygamy issue; how betrayed she must have felt when those women so very close to her were "chosen" to be Joseph's wives and "hid it all behind her back." I fail to see what is so holy about that, life threatening or not. I see those women as enamoured by Joseph Smith and his position of power, status and celebrity in the Church---"groupies" basically. It seems Emma has proved she was not impressed so much by his authority, but of her human husband. Capable of much folly and error, yet wholly human. The authors paint Mr. Smith as just such a man. I feel they have Emma's personality down right. She had an unlucky time with her husbands. For a woman of such wit and intelligence, as this book proves, it is too bad. The authors show us also how Emma was seen by the Church and its members after Josephs death. I feel the book was not biased, for it seems an effort was made to keep it objective. I appreciate that it was not an attempt to convert me or prove "mormonism" to me at all, either. It was simply a good, researched, interesting book. Truly, Emma Smith was an "enigma."

Perhaps the most accurate biography of Emma Smith. The authors, one a member of the LDS (Mormons,) and the other a member of RLDS (Reorganized LDS), represent the events of Emma's life with a respectable balance of sensitivity and scholarly detachment.

Without resorting to theological conclusions or endorsements, Mormon Enigma presents the difficutlies associated with Emma's marriage to the charismatic religous leader, Joseph, and gives insights into the turmoil that accompanied her throughout her life. Her opposition to polygamy, ridicule by Joseph and his companions, and her influence on the evolving culture of the church are all well discussed.

A reader's perspectives and beliefs can be challenged, but the integrity of the authors cannot. A highly recommended read for those interested in the history of the early Mormon church.

This biography is first rate. Along with Thomas Alexander's biography of Wilford Woodruff, this is where prospective Mormon biographers should look for an example. It is balanced and even handed. When I finished the book, I felt like I knew WHO Emma Smith was and what she had gone through. All too often, Mormon biographies provide us with a lot of facts and experiences about a persons life, but leave us wondering who someone really was, not just what they did.

The biographers masterfully handle the extremely complex world of polygamy. They don't choose the easy way out of victimizing Emma and demonizing Joseph, or the other way around. They show the difficulties faced by both without passing judgment on either one.
Anyone who reads this marvelous book will have a greater appreciation of Emma Smith and a much greater understanding of early Mormonism.