D. Michael Quinn (1944–2021)

An excellent study of the spread of occult beliefs in the early days of the USA, with a focus on the "Burned Over District" of Western New York State and the rich theological and magickal stew surrounding Joseph Smith as he invented his new religion and assembled his initial group of followers. The impact of Francis Barrett's seminal work, "The Magus" on Smith and his contemporaries will be especially interesting to students of the Western Occult Tradition. Highly recommended.

A good introduction to the organizational structure of the Mormon church, and a good history of the men who have been its leaders. Unfortunately, the book gets a bit too bogged down in esoterica at times, and could be shortened extremly by taking out trivial or redundant information.

Interesting, detailed and fully-documented examination of the power structure of the early Mormon Church. Never academically challenged, the author's conclusions led him to be excommunicated by the LDS despite his own professed continued belief and wish to stay in communion with the church. There are few organisation which react so badly to the truth and the LDS persecution of historians is one of the darkest aspects of its leadership.

This intensely interested book is not to be considered doctrinally accurate or particulary friendly to the Church. The author, now an excommunicated apostate, is considered to be a real scholar, although many of his interpretations are incorrect.