55: Top Ten Books on Mormon History – Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling

Okay so this one breaks the criteria a little bit, well let's just say it bends the rules by being on the longer side of things. Rough Stone Rolling is a hefty little history book but it is an important one. Bushman gives a candid yet sympathetic view of Joseph Smith's life. He is the founder of the Mormon Faith and more than any other one individual has shaped, colored, inspired, and frustrated the minds of Mormons. It is important for all Latter Day Saints to know Joseph better than they did before, Rough Stone Rolling is a great way to accomplish that end. In this second installment of "Top Ten Books on Mormon History," Ben and I discuss Richard Bushman's Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. Our "Top Ten Books on Mormon History" list was composed for someone new to Mormon History. The criteria for inclusion are the books demonstration of the books: Use of a sophisticated academic approach and emphasis on analysis over merely regurgitating data and documents. Coverage an important person, event, or period in Mormon history Quality of writing. Length (not too long). The List Matthew Bowman, The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith Release in March Richard Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling Release in April Ronald Walker et. al., Massacre at Mountain Meadows Release in May Sarah Barringer Gordon, The Mormon Question Polygamy and Constitutional Conflict in Nineteenth-Century America Release in June Kathryn Daynes, More Wives Than One: Transformation of the Mormon Marriage System, 1840-1910 Release in July Paul Reeve, Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness Release in August Kathleen Flake, The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle Release in September Armand Mauss, The Angel and the Beehive: THE MORMON STRUGGLE WITH ASSIMILATION Release in October Prince & Wright, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism Release in November Martha Bradley, Pedestals and Podiums: Utah Women, Religious Authority, and Equal Rights Release in December Music: bensound.com