Stegner was not a Mormon; however, he spent many years in Salt Lake City and had respect for many of the values ( as distinguished from the religious beliefs) of the church. This book is the epic story of the Mormon Trail and a must read for any student of the American West. The religious prejudices faced by the Mormons find echoes in the modern resurgence of the intolerant Christian fundamentalists. On the other hand the religious insularity of smaller Utah communities (see, e.g., Mormon Country also by Stegner) which may well be a hangover from a history of persecution, leads many Gentiles to feel frozen out. If crossing the Great Plains in a covered wagon was difficult, imagine the challenge of pushing a handcart for the distance. ( )