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The Gathering of Zion: The Story of the Mormon Trail |  | Author: Wallace Stegner
Publisher: Bison Books
List Price: $18.95
Buy New: $9.95
as of 11/25/2009 04:08 CST details
You Save: $9.00 (47%)
New (21) Used (17) from $8.76
Seller: abookarama
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 164208
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Pages: 348
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.7
ISBN: 0803292139
Dewey Decimal Number: 978
EAN: 9780803292130
ASIN: 0803292139
Publication Date: April 1, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Wallace Stegner tells about a thousand-mile migration marked by hardship and sudden death—but unique in American history for its purpose, discipline, and solidarity. Other Bison Books by Wallace Stegner include Mormon Country, Recapitulation, Second Growth, and Women on the Wall. |
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 Hard to Rad History October 26, 2009
Bill Bass
This book is hard to read. The author's style is very sophisticated. There's too much uncommon vocabulary that is difficult to discern in context (i.e. it has to be looked up). The author seems to like long, complicated sentences. I found myself reading much stuff repeatedly before I could get it. As far as telling a story, the book assumes more knowledge of the Western Migration than I bring as a reader. Much of what might have put the story in context for me, is intentionally left out. This book is probably more appropriate for a trained historian.
 Loved the cover, not the book October 16, 2009
Jo-Jo (California)
I purchased this book to give to a friend who is not LDS but very interested in the westward movement of the LDS pioneers. I thought this would be an objective and unbiased book of interesting facts and personal accounts, but I found it VERY biased against the LDS members, especially their leaders. I believe Mr. Stegner wrote his historical accounts in an era when it was popular for historians to find fault in the leaders of movements, ie, religious groups, publishing as much negative material--fact or hearsay--as possible. I found this book a pity to read and wished that Mr. Stegner were still alive so that I could post him a note and tell him so. Of course, I did not give this book to my friend.
 unreal September 19, 2009
Lavon C. Hall (South Dakota)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The pushcart migration across the country is unbelievable(but true). How could people be so easily duped?
Largely admiring treatment of the early LDS pioneers December 23, 2007
J. A. White
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am surprised to read reviews describing this book as anti-Mormon. Stegner was clearly a great admirer of the pioneers. Although the book doesn't fawn over Smith and Young, it emphasizes Young's strength as a leader. From my perspective, the weakness of the book lies in the focus on somewhat irrelevant details. Complaints about the quality of Stegner's sources are over-stated. True, he does not cite sources for each point made, but the major sources are primary.
 Admiration and Respect for Mormon Pioneers From a Great American Writer July 17, 2007
Michael Day (Cary, NC USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Wallace Stegner is one of America's great writers, and possibly the greatest Western writer. Contrary to some views Stegner IS a historian. His fluid prose and narrative style are reminiscent of the great Steven Ambrose. When Stegner turns his focus to the Mormon Trail the result is an excellent recounting of the Mormon migration west to the Rocky Mountains.
Stegner clearly admired the Mormon Pioneers. His is an unbelieving but sympathetic viewpoint. This is demonstrated most clearly by his treatment of Brigham Young. Stegner's Young is volcanic, brilliant, powerful, and even empathetic; a truly Great Man with foibles.
A bonus of the paperback edition includes prints of Thomas Moran and Frederick Piercy watercolors and engravings showing the Mormon Trail as it was in the 1850s and 1860s. These illustrations start in Nauvoo with the ruins of the Temple, and end in the Salt Lake Valley.
The last chapter of the book is a modern-day (1960's) Pilgrim's guide to the trail. It describes how an auto tourist may visit important points on the path. There is an appendix with bibliographic notes (yes, this is a history), giving the interested reader a way to dig deeper. Of course, a lot of great Mormon literature has been written since the 1960's. Highly recommended are Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman and American Moses by Leanord Arrington. For a 5-star treatment of the Handcart Pioneers read The Price We Paid by Andrew Olsen.
I disagree with other reviewer's comments that Stegner was not a friend of the Mormon Church. He was a great admirer of these people and their accomplishments. One must grant that the unbeliever does not see a miracle in every event. Where the pioneers saw miracles, Stegner sees human strength and fortitude. This is a straight-on narrative. Those looking for anti-mormon conspiracy readings of the migration, look elsewhere; likewise those looking for faith-promoting Mormon Trivia. If you want to understand the struggles and celebrate the achievements of the largest single migration in American History read this book!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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