Michael Quinn has collected a body of work that is sure to be remembered as one of his least controversial works in general circulation. That's all well and good, but it wasn't as "fun" to read as some of his own writings.

That said, this is a fine compilation, a smorgasborg that allows someone the opportunity to sample some of the "non-traditional" LDS studies that are available to the open-minded, yet faithful Mormon student. As Quinn defines them, the "new Mormon Historians" are a breed of scholar/student/writer who examine difficult, complex, and often controversial subjects in the church with an eye toward objectivity. The result is material that is neither condemning nor ridiculously apologetic, but rather intelligent and reasonable, with the intent to understand the faith system which they continue to maintain. Quinn respectfully tributes Juanita Brooks for paving this path for careful, objective and yet still faithful Mormon scholarship.

Topics covered in this collection include Mormon authority, evolving interpretatins and use of the First Vision and the Joseph Smith story, charismatic and priesthood gifts and useage among early Mormon women, the legend of the crickets and gulls, polygamy issues, and more. Each essay could send an interested reader down a long path of further study by reviewing the lists of reference material available in each author's footnotes.

A book like this might be a fine place for someone just starting the adventure of understanding Church History. As mentioned below, however, serious students of Church History will be very familiar with about everything found between these two covers.

This would be a good book in a historiograpy class because it traces the development of how studying the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has gone and also treats current trends as well. The book is a good book, and is one of the good works by D. Michael Quinn. One should be warned however. The title says "Revisionist" meaning it is probably going to say some things that someone is not going to like, so keep the title in mind when you read this book. Also since the authors make it plain that this is a "Revisionist" work it would behoove the honest researcher to go find out what the authors are attempting to revise, meaning don't take this book as gospel, but find out both sides of the story before you come to conculsions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

We all need to break free of mind control, and this book has certainly opened up my mind. As Orwell sharply pointed out in his perennial work "1984", he who contolls the present controlls the passt, and he who controlls the past controlls the future. This is exactly what those mortmons are doing, and thank the stars that Michael Quinn has opend up mymind to the truth.

The directions of history are twords a more internal, keeping the sick myths alive, and blatently ingnoring the feet of clay of the church leaders. Michael Quinn has experinece in this area of clay feet, as his footnotes prove.

A footnoted lie is still a lie. "nuff said.

Quinn has a peiercing eye that sees thing that otehrs don't see, and that is the mark of a great man in my book. Ingenutity an the nove are the watchwords of our day.

Everyone should read this book, and everyone should belive this book.

Michael Quinn is without a doubt the most objective biographer of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and its members who is currently alive. Quinn's books are always well-researched. It should be noted that Quinn has paid his dues for his committment to honest history. He was excommunicated some years ago by the Church. Nothing, though, has caused Quinn to give up either objective scholarship or a painstaking committment to telling the truth.

"Elder Statesman" is the biography of a famous LDS church leader, J. Reuben Clark. Clark had a fascinating career. He began life in small town in Utah in the nineteenth century. His intellectual talents carried him to the University of Utah, Columbia University Law School, the United States Department of State and finally to a position as United States Ambassador to Mexico. Clark obviously had immense intellectual and mental gifts to get where he did in life.

At this point, Clark was called to serve as Second Counselor to LDS Church President Heber J. Grant. During the next 29 years, Grant served as both second and first counselor in the administrations of Heber J. Grant, George Albert Smith, and finally, David O. McKay. He brought to these positions tremendous administrative talents. This era was an extremely important time for the church. The groundwork was laid for the tremendous expansion of the Church that occurred and is still occurring.

Quinn points out failings in Clark as a person. By present day standards he was extremely racist, even demanding that Utah hospitals segregate the blood of African Americans from others. Clark was also hostile to Jews and opposed the entry of the USA into the Second World War. In fact, he even went so far as to comment favorably upon the Nazi Regime' in Germany, after the war had begun. Clark found himself at odds with most Mormons when opposed the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt. More than sixty-two percent of all Utahns voted to re-elect Roosevelt in the 1936 election. These sections are a bit difficult, and I admit that after reading them, I lost considerable respect for a person, who in all other ways, was a bright and gifted man.

There are some things I don't like about the way Quinn has written this book. First, he chronologically reviews Clark's life in the first 179 pages of the book. At this point, Clark passes away. Quinn than spends another 245 pages jumping back and looking at different "target areas" of his subject's life. I found that to be a bit disjointed. I would have preferred using all the pages to the tell Clark's life story and working the other material into the places in between. Second, this is not the most interesting book in the world. It is about too narrow a subject to be of interest to many people outside of Utah and the Mormon faith. Even those within it may struggle a bit to get through some of the sections which deal with mundane issues such as beer ads on KSL television, or support for Sunday closing laws in the legislature.

On the balance, this is an honest and informative book about a brilliant administrator and leader, barely known outside Utah.

This is a revision of an earlier work by Quinn on the same subject and whatever additions were made (I have not read the earlier edition) are imperceptible to the first time reader. In my view, this is a first class biography in style and depth of documentation. Quinn's footnotes take up approximate 20% of the book (a Quinn trademark). Other biographies of Mormon leaders have been undertaken as much to sustain the faithful as to reveal something about their subject. Elder Statesman still manages to sustain the faithful by faithfully and honestly revealing to us the complexity of a brilliant man, the nature of his faith and the effect of the times and culture from which he sprang. Possibly more interesting for me was the peep behind the curtain of 20th century Mormon church's leadership and bureaucracy and the personal dimensions of the interaction between beloved church leaders. Some might be disturbed at the ambiguity this reveals, particularly in a church that reveres these men as prophets, seers and revelators, but I rather found it inspiring to see the real human sweat that has gone into building the modern church of some 12 million members and a disproportionate influence in the US and the world. These men were not immune or disconnected from the great issues of their day such as progressivism, communism, war, civil rights and the role of the US in the world. It is all deeply fascinating, like finding a new dimension to a painting you though you knew so well.

Because other people will no doubt mention it, Clark, like most men of his generation and background, was a racist and anti-semite. Quinn does not leave it at that though--we learn to understand where such attitudes arose from and admire the moral and intellectual stature of a man who could begin to overcome such deeply-ensconced prejudices.

If you are a serious student of Mormon history, you MUST read this book. If not, read it anyways.

Elder Statesman: A Biography Of J. Reuben Clark by D. Michael Quinn is a thorough, solid, detailed and exhaustively comprehensive portrayal of Mormon church leader J. Reuben Clark. Amazingly informative and candid presented Elder Statesman is an outstanding biography that ranges from Clark's brush with atheism (one which he resolved by deciding that belief may be irrational yet is essential), to his view of African-Americans (he was once responsible for segregating blood donations by color), yet he was also one of the first of the Mormon hierarchy to advocate priesthood for African-Americans among the Latter-Day Saints. Elder Statesman is a most revealing and fascinating biographical study, and highly recommended reading for those with an interest in Mormon Studies.

J. REUBEN CLARK: The Church Years. By D. Michael Quinn. (Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1983. xvi + 334 pp. Index, notes, photographs.) This book is the second work in a multi volume set documenting the life and work of J. Reuben Clark. This monograph is aptly titled The Church Years, following in step with the first biography in the set written by Fox, The Public Years. This work deals with service Clark devoted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he was called and served for thirty years in the First Presidency, the foremost governing body of the church. The first half of this monograph deals with the three church presidential administrations he served under in chronological order. The second half of the work deals topically, chapter by chapter, with subjects and areas of special interest and influence to Clark. This book begins with the chapter, "The Waste Places of Zion . . . The Rivers of Babylon" highlighting Fox's account of Clark's service in the public sector holding diverse positions including as undersecretary of state and as U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Quinn derives his chapter titles from scriptural sources with great success in accurately describing chapter contents and achieving the feeling Quinn goes for throughout this biography. This monograph is the product extensive research of diverse and scattered sources including the personal journal of Elder Spencer W. Kimball, one of Clark's protégés who eventually became president of the church, and other journals and diaries of Clark's close associates. Quinn readily admits in the preface limitations found in this biography due to strained source availability including the "critically important" Minutes of the First Presidency which were not available to him (p. xiv) Quinn rises above this handicap and invites the reader into the workings of the First Presidency of which Clark played such an integral part. The depth of research through vast amounts of diverse sources is very impressive as are his choices and use of photographs throughout the book. The photographs augmented the text without interfering or diminishing it in any way. Quinn is focused and determined to put forth an honest biography by exposing both the honorable qualities and the weaker components of Clark's character. In an official biography on a Mormon subject the focus is often on promoting the faith of Mormon church members. This focus sometimes levies a great cost in scholarship and integrity of the subject in question. Quinn has boldly stepped out on his own and put forth what he believes to be the truth about the life and character of J. Reuben Clark. This courageous move has helped render a masterful biography and would likely be approved of by Clark himself. Quinn unfortunately suffers lapses in his focus and temporarily abandons his reliance upon sources and facts for his work. When describing Clark's reaction to his reassignment as second councilor under the new McKay administration rather than first councilor as he had been under the previous president Quinn engages in a regrettable bout of speculation. Quinn fabricates a scene in which he describes a morose Clark mentally picturing the presidents office with a great longing and envy. Quinn then claims that Clark's mind falls back to a letter he wrote his wife over twenty years prior to this situation. Quinn substitutes his own views concerning the relationship of rank, honor, and prestige to the presidency of the church in the place of Clark's ideas. Quinn makes the same mistake later in the book when describing Reuben's feelings toward the polygyny practiced by his ancestors. Quinn's zeal for a complete portrait of Clark may also have pushed him to make more of an issue out of Clark's alleged anti-Semitism for which Quinn offers little proof. These short lapses in his work are forgiven due to the overall quality of the work. Quinn includes and invaluable chapter entitled, "Those Who Take the Sword" which explores the evolution of Clark's pacifism and ideas concerning war. It is a great chapter on the broader subject of Mormon pacifism which is a little explored aspect of Mormonism. Clark who looked on pluralism with disdain convinced the church to reimburse Quaker conscientious objector camps which sheltered Mormon pacifists during the second World War. The chapter does a great job tracking Clark's evolving views on war, peace, isolationism, and the idea of just war. Well chosen quotes from Clark's Mormon General Conference decrying the use of atomic bombs to murder the quarter million "men, women, and children, and cripples" in Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Clark served as a chairman for the oldest pacifist organization in the U.S., Americans For Peace. Clark was in the position of spokesman for the church and a touching expression of his loyalty and subservience to the prophet and the office of the president is manifested through his official pronouncements in favor of supporting military service, which the church supported, but to which Clark at this point was unalterably opposed. Quinn has provided us with valuable information and a seldomly experienced spotlight on a dimly lit subject. More than just a biography of an important Mormon leader and elder statesman this work in fact gives us an intimate look into the process of decision making in church administration. It also gives us insight into the dynamic relationship between the leaders of the church and its general membership. Quinn shows us this with the illustration of Clark's defense of the church President's unpopular stance against Franklin D. Roosevelt and The New Deal. Great tension arose from the struggle for control between leaders and members. Through Clark's life Quinn explores the power structure from the president and apostles down through the general authorities and the local bishops. A view inside the First Presidency and its decision making is granted to us through the chronological documentation through the three administrations in which Clark served as a councilor. Quinn has given us a wonderful pioneering biography but possibly more importantly he has given us new insight into the dynamics of church leadership, decisions, and membership. Forcefully written with feeling but tempered with a great deal of respect to his task of being fair and above all truthful. Quinn's respect for Clark is apparent and attested to by his unwillingness to gloss over of the less admirable qualities of Clark's character. Quinn's focus and determination shine through the text of this work and make it an extremely enjoyable biography to read, and above all, a quality contribution to the subject and study of Mormonism.

The book is well researched and the writing for once isn't tedious, (good job Dr. Quinn). However, Quinn really strains it at times to prove his ideas. This is Quinn's hidden agenda: The Mormon church during the 19th century was not as homophopic as it is now, therefore the Mormon church should not be so severe in its attacks and excommunications of Gay members of the church like myself. Quinn's whole purpose in writing this book is to try to say that the current LDS leaders are hypocrites because earlier leaders had more lenient attidutes towards homosexuality. The book is a good history of same-sex relations but the reader needs to be aware of the hidden agenda and the bias in Quinn's historical research and writing.

Excellent read, and hits the history of Mormon attitudes regarding same-sex dynamics right on the nail's head. As one who has had first hand experience with both Mormonism and same-sex dynamics, I can assure you this book covers the these topics with astounding factual evidence and is devoid of any biasing, or personal agendas. As you can see from earlier reviews by folks from the Mormon hub of the U.S., this book strikes a raw nerve with their own personal and religious agendas. As Quinn so often and eloquently states: "Physical orientation and sexual orientation are not moral issues, and majority/minority phenomena in nature do not involve natural versus unnatural categories. The exceptional in nature is still natural, whether the exception is left-handedness or the homosexual orientation of erotic desire." And, I also agree with him when he states "that every human being, even those whose values or behavior I reject, is of value to God and to me."

Oh, what a kind and non-judgemental world it would be if people would love each other unconditionally, and actually put into practice, not just in word but in deed, their religious beliefs concerning tolerance, love and understanding of each other. Until that time, we all need to accept each other for who we are and bridge the gulf of misunderstanding that often leads to intolerance and hate.

Very good book. A must read for anyone who is interested in the history of same sex dynamics in American or Mormon history. Everything in the book is well documented. Its amazing to see how the church and its members attitudes towards homosexuality has changed over the years.

The book is an interesting one. I found it somewhat persuasive in its arguments, however some of the primary sources that he uses could be interpreted differently. I've read a couple of reviews that said after reading Quinn's work they left the LDS church, that is unfortunate because Quinn is not the final word on the topics he treats. One should always look at author's who offer a different picture using the same primary sources that Quinn uses. Also, one could argue that Quinn is a biased historian since he was excommunicated from the church he is writing about. It's like writing a book about the IRS just after they've audited you and took everything you had. Would your book be considered objective? Apply that logic to Quinn's work and enjoy.

This book examines the origin and theology of "power" in the LDS Church.

The term "power" seems a little missleading. What the book is really about is the origin of Mormon "authority." Specifically, this refers to the concept of Mormon "Priesthood," or the "authority" of Mormon leaders to act in the name of God.

The book addresses how Joseph Smith received this authority, what he did with it, and how it helped to shape early Mormon society and theology.

Joseph's traditional account on how he received this authority from God is addressed, as well as the historical problems and evolution of that account over time.

It also explains how this authority became paramount in his theology. How his belief in this authority gave birth to, "theocratic ethics" (i.e. If God says something is right, it doesn't matter what man says), and to Joseph's being ordained King by his secret council of 50.

The book is well written, heavily annotated (typical of Quinn), and important in pointing out revisions to Mormon scripture as Joseph's traditional account became canonized.

I am a Mormons from Salt Lake City, Utah. I highly enjoyed reading Origins of Power. This book is deeply researched and written well. Quinn showes all references. I found this helpful. I do not agree with all his opinions, but I found the references very helpful in researching a questionable opinion. I enjoy his work and would recommend this book to scholars of LDS Church history.

In this work Quinn (an excommunicated mormon) has addressed an amazingly complicated and controversial subject and made it even more controversial. His knowledge on the subject is obviously immense. Half of the 700 pages consists of notes proving he has done his research (Although some scholars most notably William Hamblin a professor at BYU have accused Quinn of falsifying sources) Unfortunately only about half of the 325 pages of written materiel seemed to be devoted to the comparison of mormonism and magical practices. The book adresses three main issues with ideas interweaved throughout the work.
First, Quinn give numerous explanations of how he has arrived to certain conclusions. He gives the reader a crash course in how to be a historian and history should be written according to him. Unfortunately, this is a bit didactic and manipulative as Quinn gives things his own little logical twist to lead the reader to share his conclusion. He also tries and prove some of his points by using probabilities. This is of course a problem because just because something is highly probable doesn't mean it actually occured.
Second, this book is an attack on LDS apologists and historians. His excuse that he is merely responding to their polemic arguments is both pathetic and ridiculous. The fact is that he continually attcks their works throughout. This would be fine if he did so in a scholarly and logically manner. Instead, he has reduced himself to petty namecalling repeatedly calling them polemic and telling them they would understand better if they would simply read his book! Ironically, while he is correct about many of the methods that some Mormons historians use, he himself is guilty of these same methods. For example, he accuses apologists of dismissing evidence as mere coincidence when it doesn't not support their arguments. However, when discussing the marriages of Joseph Smith and how many were preformed on astrologically significant dates the ones that are not he dismisses as unfitting to the pattern(after hearing his discussion of every Thursday being significant, every first and last day of a zodiac sign, every new moon and every multiple of seven days folowing the new moon,etc one wonders if there are any days that are not significant). He also hurts his argument with a few (though not many) direct attacks on Mormons. For instance, He accuses Mormons of always trying to explain why certain blessings promised in patriartichal and priesthood blessings do not come true. This is unfair because every Mormon knows that these things are promised on the condition that the person remain righteous similar to many blessings in the Bible.]
Finally, the third thing that Quinn discusses is the relationship of magic and Mormonism. This is by far the most interesting and why people are reading this book. There are many similarities and they are quite thouroughly discussed. The subjects range from astrology to magic circles. He also discusses many of the Smith family heirlooms and their magical significance which I found fascinating.
While the book is an excellent source on Mormonism and magic the many other aspects take away from the work as a whole. If you can manage to wade through the dogmatic parts of the work then this is a good book to read. If you get bogged down by such arguments or are easily manipulated or hoodwinked then skip this one.

The great thing about D. Michael Quinn is the breadth and familiarity he brings to his subject. Quinn knows the ins & outs of Mormon history better than any other writer and is able ask the right questions, while at the same time dotting all the "i's" and crossing all the "t's". Indeed, it takes me twice as long to read a Quinn book, simply because I am compulsive about checking both the substance and context of his sources (which can be numerous if not overwhelming). Time and time again I find his research beyond reproach. This revised and updated edition is particularly interesting because Quinn gets the opportunity to take on some of the criticisms leveled at the first edition. It provides for a brisk and intellectually stimulating read. Finally, to those who would attack Quinn I offer the following suggestion; write a book as well researched and documented as Quinn's, that shows where he is wrong. It's just that simple.

D. Michael Quinn has written a great book on the powerful links between magic thinking and the religious impulse. Quinn's research is extraordinary in its detail and has many important implications for humanity's constant quest to find reassuring signs and portents in the often dangerous world around us. Do not be dissuaded by carping comments about Quinn's writting style or point of view. This is a well-written, thoroughly researched book. The "magic world view" that Quinn explores so well is not limited to Mormonism, but is a feature of ALL religions in their formative stages. See the Old Testament (Exodus 7:9, Numbers 21:8) among many cites) for examples of the magic world view in early Judaism. The brazen serpent of Moses was clearly a cult object and was later destroyed for that reason (II Kings 18:4). Quinn deserves praise and applause for a job well done.

Dr. Quinn's book is a remarkable accomplishment. For a brief time, in the 70's and 80's, the historical office of the LDS church allowed for some objective, professional examination of its records. Quinn brings us some of the fruits of that time. This is not "faith-promoting" history-Deseret Book and Bookcraft have taken care of that-but shows the Brethren in all their human glory. Some reviewers have indicated that this volume has not threatened their LDS testimonies, but only confirmed what they already knew, that church leaders are human and fallible; other reviewers may be threatened by this realization, although many past presidents have pointed it out. The marketing of the infallibility of church leaders continues, perhaps because it gives comfort to those church members who are intolerant of ambiguity, but also because toadying is often rewarded in organizations.

Extensions of Power is actually several books. It is topically arranged to consider more or less controversial aspects of the church leadership-violence, involvement in politics, etc. It also includes, as the earlier companion volume did, hundreds of pages of notes and a detailed chronology of church activities from 1848 to 1996. We are afforded a glimpse into the complex personalities, power factions, and challenges of maintaining, growing and adapting a religious movement to a constantly changing and evolving U. S. and world culture. I was by turns frustrated with church leadership and empathetic with them in their struggle to understand and accommodate 'the world' without losing their unique identity. I was also able to see how present problems have their roots in the past, and the futile efforts of those leaders--such as Gordon B. Hinckley and Boyd K. Packer--who would like to bury the past.

Mormonism is a religion which was established and grew during historical, literate times, and leaders and members must come to terms with the difficulties of their history. Despite Correlation committees, Strengthening the Members Committees and million dollar public relations and marketing campaigns, and particularly since the advent of the internet, historical problems will not go away. For the questioning believer or the student of religions and U. S. history, Dr. Quinn's book is a very useful tool in understanding how the present Mormon church came to be.

D. Michael Quinn has written an excellent book here (as well as other books) that most LDS members should read and analyze. History and actions of the past are, in general, lost to the current generations of saints. Not for lack of information but because the mind of the regular modern saint is numbed and casual, and delving into doctrinal history is beyond their general comprehension or intention. There is no real way for any member of the church to distinguish the full scheme and organization of both the church and deeper doctrine. Mike Quinn comes along and re-reveals important correlations of the past, and people become afraid of reading and deciding for their selves whether Quinn's assumptions and opinions are valid and truthful, and reflect something hidden. That members would not study and assimilate an honest work like this goes against the Lord's admonition to seek out the truth in all forms; they don't want to, it scares some of them and the fence sitters will have to fall one way or another.

I was terribly impressed with Dr. Quinn's efforts in 'Extensions of Power'. If you want to know how the Mormon Church is governed and operates, this is the book to have. Dr. Quinn's use of anecdotes, coupled with his extensively researched factual information, makes this book, nearly as good a read as anything I've ever read before. It's something that's very hard to put down (I read it nearly non-stop for 3 days!). More engaging that Tom Clancy, for sure.

Another reviewer said that Dr. Quinn's extensive use of quotes was somehow not a good thing, that it was distracting (?). I found his use of quotes to be extremely useful. Above all, it showed that his research was well founded in the Church's own records.

This is a tremenduous work and I'd highly recommend it to anyone seeking to understand how the Mormon Church really works.