No Man Knows My History by Fawn M. Brodie (Vintage: 1995, ISBN 978-0-679-73054-5)
Cited by many as the greatest study of the origins of Mormonism’s founding prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., No Man Knows My History remains, sixty-five years after its first publication in 1945, a classic. Brodie, despite criticisms leveled at her exhaustive study of Smith’s life from Mormon hierarchy and “true believers”, is careful in this well documented study to allow the records of Smith and his immediate contemporaries, together with the words and actions of the Mormon hierarchy that followed his martyrdom, to tell the tale.
In addition, as more scientific, historic, and archaeological data unfolded following the book’s initial release (all of which makes the likelihood of any verifiable link between Smith’s created ancient America and historic reality virtually impossible) Brodie updated her work to remain current. Such things as the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the release of long-hidden Mormon original source records (most of which do not paint the religion’s founding fathers in a kind light) are incorporated in this newer version of the biography. Ever wonder where the HBO smash hit, “Big Love” came from? Read Brodie’s book to gain some understanding of what it means to believe in Joseph Smith’s Celestial Kingdom. A must read for anyone interested in the Mormons. 5 stars out of 5.
