Generally positive review for new book about LDS Church (Mormon America: The Power and the Promise)
Publishers Weekly, page 71 11Oct99 A1
By Jana Riess

The new book by former Time reporter and author of the Mormons, Inc., Time article Richard Ostling and his wife has drawn a short review in the widely-used industry publication, Publisher's Weekly. PW is generally pleased with the book, saying that it is better than its cover makes it appear.

The review is quite critical of the book's cover, which, it says, packages the book as "another sensationalist expose of Mormon economic and political power, with chapters promising to unlock 'The Power Pyramid' and 'Rituals Sacred and Secret.'" In fact, PW says the book is "well-balanced and often insightful." In particular, the review praises an "erudite chapter on Mormon theology [which] sheds light on a fascinating but neglected subject (even by Mormons)."

But, PW does say the book is "a bit of a hodgepodge," noting that the authors both "evaluate the authenticity of Joseph Smith's revelation in one chapter and catalogue "Great Mormons in Sport" in another." The review concludes by saying that this is "undoubtedly the best introductory snapshot of the Mormon world available in print, [but] there is still room for improvement."

MORMON AMERICA: The Power and the Promise Richard N. Ostling and Joan K. Ostling. Harper San Francisco, $25 (480p) ISBN 0-06-066371-5 (Mormonism)