Average customer rating:
- ROTF funny
- Hilarious!
- They're back...
- The "Demon Teddy Bears" are back! Hooray!
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Hokas Pokas!
Poul Anderson , and
Gordon R. Dickson
Manufacturer: Baen
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Hoka! Hoka! Hoka!
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The Draco Tavern
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The Ghost Brigades
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Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, Book 7)
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Engaging the Enemy
ASIN: 0671578588 |
Customer Reviews:
ROTF funny.......2007-09-07
If you don't mind having to put it down regularly because you are laughing too hard to hold it, then this is the book for you. This, along with the earlier book Hoka! Hoka! Hoka! are must reads for anyone who likes to just get down and laugh. My only other recommendation would be to pick up a copy of The Sound and the Furry, which brings the entire collection of Hoka stories together.
Hilarious!.......2004-11-07
Orbiting the G2 star, Brackney's Star III, is the earthlike planet Toka. And, inhabiting the world of Toka are the Hoka, a small, teddy bear-looking race, who are surprisingly strong for their size. Unfortunately their longsuffering human plenipotentiary, Alexander Jones, the Hoka are the most imaginative race in the galaxy, as soon as they discover a new book of fiction, they adopt the roles and live the story...invariably with comedic results!
This book is a collection of three Hoka novellas. The first story is "Full Pack (Hokas Wild)", which was first presented in the book Hoka!, and describes what happens when the Hokas discover the Jungle Books, and meet up with a group of aliens that look like a tiger, a gorilla and a snake (or should I say Shere Khan, the Banderlog, and Kaa?). In the second story, The Napoleon of Crime, also from Hoka!, Hokas across the planet are suddenly introduced to military history with potentially disastrous consequences; can Jones save the day yet again?
The third story, Star Prince Charlie, which is longer that the other two combined, takes the action off planet. When young Charles Stuart and his Hoka tutor visit the planet New Lemuria, he finds it a world on the edge, waiting only the prince of prophecy who will overthrow the hated tyrannical king. And then, Charlie's Hoka notices how close everything is to the story of Scotland's Bonnie Prince Charlie. Once this ride begins, all Charlie can do is hang on to his hat...and his head!
Each of these stories is literally laugh out loud funny, with lots of action thrown in. Most story collection out there are a mix good and not-so-good stories, but that is not the case with this book, all three are hilarious! This is a great book, one that I highly recommend to everyone! (If you like this book, and you will, check out the books Hoka! and Hoka Hoka Hoka.)
They're back..........2001-02-27
That's right, the Hokas are back. This is the second book with the teddy bears running awok. Watch them act out both childern's books and history, come right to the edge of doom and than pull back with little or no help from humans. Funny AND a delight to read.
The "Demon Teddy Bears" are back! Hooray!.......2000-02-01
With the earlier publication of "Hokas, Hokas, Hokas" by Baen, all of Anderson and Dickson's wonderful "Hoka" stories are back in print. This volume includes "Full Pack", "The Napoleon Crime", and the novel "Star Prince Charlie." There's an awful lot of humor and joy in these books, along with the usual taps on my "think" button that these authors can't help but hit. If I'm very very good in *this* incarnation, I hope to reincarnate as a Hoka.
Average customer rating:
- A must-buy
- I died laughing
- Teddy Bears Rule!
- A hilarous look at the Insane
- A wonderful story!
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Hoka! Hoka! Hoka!
Gordon Dickson , and
Poul Anderson
Manufacturer: Baen
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Hokas Pokas!
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Engaging the Enemy
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Command Decision (Vatta's War, Book 4)
ASIN: 0671577743 |
Customer Reviews:
A must-buy.......2004-03-22
Orbiting the G2 star, Brackney's Star III, is the earthlike planet Toka. And, inhabiting the world of Toka are the Hoka, a small, teddy bear-looking race, who are surprisingly strong for their size. Unfortunately for their longsuffering human plenipotentiary, Alexander Jones, the Hoka are the most imaginative race in the galaxy, and as soon as they discover a new book of fiction, they adopt the roles and live the story...invariably with comedic results!
This book is a collection of short stories about the Hoka and the unfortunate Alexander Jones. Each story is literally laugh-out-loud funny, the authors having found a perfect medium for their talents! This book is a sequel to the hilarious book Hoka!, and like it is a must-buy.
In case you are curious, there are eight stories in this book. #1) The Sheriff of Canyon Gulch tells the story of Alexander Jones arrival on Toka, and his rescue of the cowboy Hokas from the dreaded greenskins. #2) In Don Jones, Jones's visit to Earth with a delegation of Hokas takes a nearly disastrous spin, when they are introduced to Mozart's opera, Don Giovanni! #3) In Hoka Signo Vinces, finds the Hokas in a new craze - space opera, and when they get word that a neighboring system is building a space-dreadnought, it's (the unwilling) Alexander Jones and Space Patrol to the rescue! #4) The Adventure of the Misplaced Hound is side-splittingly funny, telling the story of Alexander Jones and the Hoka Sherlock Holmes on the trail of a space dope smuggler...or the Hound of the Baskervilles (it's hard to tell which). #5) Yo Ho Hoka finds Jones trying to head off a planned attack on Bermuda by pirates, only to find himself press ganged into the British Navy! #6) When Jones's wife crash-lands on a nearby alien world, Jones needs some help to go rescue her, but who can he take? Why, the French Foreign Legion, of course! #7) Joy in Mudville tells the story of the Hoka baseball team (the Teddies), and their quest for the Sector Pennant. (No one can stand before the Mighty Casey, right?) #8) Undiplomatic Immunity finds Alexander Jones and a delegation of Hokas on Earth to request that Toka's status be upgraded. Unfortunately for Jones his Hokas have discovered the spy novel!
[Don't forget, if you like this book (and you will), get Hoka!, also by Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson.]
I died laughing.......2001-05-21
One of the funniest book I ever read. I (almost) died laughing - but decided to write a review first. So if you are a veeery serious person who doesn't want to be caught smiling - avoid this book. All others: enjoy.
Teddy Bears Rule!.......2001-02-27
Hoka are a alien race, who look very much like Teddy Bears. Their only problem is they become the characters in the books they read. Cowboys, pirates, space rangers, spies and more, they truly believe in what they become and it drives humans nutty! Yet, in the end, the Hoka always get out of the trouble they have started and sometimes even win something out of it.
Loved the cover. Lets hope the Hoka NEVER read the Man-Kzin Wars series. Look for HOKAS POKAS! - the second book is also short stories.
A hilarous look at the Insane.......1999-09-21
Submitted for your approval. A planet populated by teddy bears. Cute, Cuddly, and friendly. Tooo friendly! I'd give the book 5 stars if it wasn't for the fact that it is several short stories put together(don't like that format). I was rolling in the aisle during most of the book. The writers made one slight mistake though. No human being could live with the Hoka's for so long and not go permamently insane, or die of alcohol poisoning. :) Truely a unique book and the author(s) should be congratulated.
A wonderful story!.......1998-12-07
This is one of the most entertaining books ive read in a long time!I personally liked Don Jones. The Hoka seem to have the natural ability in this story mostly to skew your sence of reality! I just wish they would write a sequal!
Average customer rating:
- Unique and Humorous SciFi
- A great book!
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The Sound and the Furry (The Complete Hoka Stories)
Poul Anderson , and
Gordon R. Dickson
Manufacturer: Science Fiction Book Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0739416839 |
Product Description
A complete and unabridged collection of Anderson's Hoka stories.
Customer Reviews:
Unique and Humorous SciFi.......2006-03-24
THE SOUND AND THE FURRY(2001) is an SFBC omnibus, comprised of two sometimes hilarirous short story collections (which are still published separately by Baen): Hoka! Hoka! Hoka! (1998), and Hokas Pokas! (2000). It is about the escapades of a newly-discovered alien race called the Hokas, who look much like small bears (or large teddy bears), and act bizarrely - having trouble sorting out fact from fiction.
Following are brief reviews of each of the short stories:
Hoka! Hoka! Hoka! 1998.
--Prologue, 1983. (Hoka! 1983.)
--The Sheriff of Canyon Gulch, 1951. (as Heroes Are Made, in Other Worlds, May, 1951.) Our wayward hero Ensign Alex Jones gets his first taste of Hoka culture, when he is forced to crash land in the backwaters of the Planet Toka.
--Interlude I, 1998. These short Interludes appear as highly beauraucratic interstellar memorandums, and provide a descriptive backdrop that binds the short stories together.
--Don Jones, 1957. (novelette) (Earthman's Burden, 1957.) Alex Jones, now back on Earth with his fiance Tanni, and is enlisted to act as a guide to the first Hoka ambassadorial party sent to Earth - but reluctantly finds himself thrust into the role of Don Juan.
--Interlude II, 1998. Alex, along with his new wife Tanni, is assigned as the plenipentatiary to the Planet Toka. His job: slowly introduce modern culture and technology to the backward and "inventive" Hokas.
--In Hoka Signo Vinces, 1953. (Other Worlds, June, 1953.) Hilarious tale of the voyage of "The Space Patrol" spaceship "Fearless".
--Interlude III, 1998.
--The Adventure of the Misplaced Hound, 1953. (novelette) (Universe, December, 1953.) Decent "Sherlock Holmes" tale.
--Interlude IV, 1998.
--Yo Ho Hoka! 1955. (novelette) (F & SF, #46, March, 1955.) Sub-par tale of "piracy".
--Interlude V, 1998.
--The Tiddlywink Warriors, 1955. (novelette) (F & SF, #51, August, 1955.) Alex "enlists" in the Hoka version of the French Foreign Legion.
--Interlude VI, 1998.
--Joy in Mudville, 1955. (novelette) (F & SF, #54, November, 1955.) "Alien Baseball", and "Casey" gets a 2nd chance to win the big game.
--Undiplomatic Immunity, 1957. (novelette) (F & SF, May, 1957.) Subpar "Cloak and Dagger" story.
--Mysterious Message, 1998.
Hokas Pokas! 2000.
--Full Pack (Hokas Wild), 1957. (novelette) (F & SF, October, 1957.) Uninteresting tale, based on "Jungle Book".
--The Napolean Crime, 1983. (novelette) (Analog, March, 1983.) Average story involving Hokas incited to the point to armed conflict.
--Star Prince Charlie, 1983. (novel) (Star Prince Charlie, 1983.) Decent full-length story, with different main character than previous tales.
A great book!.......2005-11-05
Orbiting the G2 star, Brackney's Star III, is the earthlike planet Toka. And, inhabiting the world of Toka are the Hoka, a small, teddy bear-looking race, who are surprisingly strong for their size. Unfortunately their longsuffering human plenipotentiary, Alexander Jones, the Hoka are the most imaginative race in the galaxy, as soon as they discover a new book of fiction, they adopt the roles and live the story...invariably with comedic results!
This book is an anthology containing all of the Hoka stories written by Poul Anderson and Gordon R. Dickson. That's right, ALL of the hilarious stories from the books "Hoka! Hoka! Hoka!" and "Hokas Pokas!" are included in this one great book!
Each of these stories is literally laugh out loud funny, with lots of action thrown in. Most story collections out there are a mix good and not-so-good stories, but that is not the case with this book, all of the stories are hilarious! This is a great book, one that I highly recommend to everyone!
Book Description
This book is a personal study of Crazy Horse, whose nobility and purity of spirit have stood as an inspiration for generations.
Customer Reviews:
A new Look!.......2000-12-23
Wonderful and inspiring. Easy read of what might have been.
A HALF-BAKED REWRITE OF MARI SANDOZ'S BOOK.......1999-10-07
The Author says he was inspired from Mari Sandoz's book on Crazy Horse which is all fine and good but this has to be considered fiction--yet it is constantly cataloged as non-fiction. Please, researching this era is already tough enough. If you want a good book on Crazy Horse get Mari Sandoz's and if you want to balance another opinion on it get Larry McMurtry's book--who is critical of Sandoz. But if you still want to get it, you've been warned.
Average customer rating:
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Crazy Horse: Hoka Hey! (American Cavalcade)
Vinson Brown
Manufacturer: Grey Castle Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
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ASIN: 1559050772 |
Average customer rating:
- Hokey!
- silly, but yes, mildly enjoyable
- Hilariously funny!
- Teddy bears and SF
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Hoka
Poul Anderson ,
Gordon R. Dickson ,
Nicola Cuti ,
Lela Dowling , and
Phil Foglio
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Anderson, Poul
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Hokas Pokas!
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Hoka! Hoka! Hoka!
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The Dragon on the Border
ASIN: 0812535677 |
Customer Reviews:
Hokey!.......2006-05-24
Light as air fluff contains vignettes about an alien world of sentient teddy bears who enjoy American popular culture. Not as entertaining as it sounds, and even the opportunity for parable style social criticism is wasted.
silly, but yes, mildly enjoyable.......2004-12-16
Hoka is a silly book about an alien race, the Hoka. Their unique characteristics are that they resemble our Earth teddy bears, and they have an absolutely wild and hypnotic imagination. Upon discovery by Earthlings, the Hokas are unwittingly exposed to and greatly influenced by human culture. This often leads to humerous results.
I found myself initially turned off by the unsophisticated and simple short story format. I was expecting more development. These stories just kinda dive right in. But, the book grew on me and I got a few good chuckles from it. For big science fiction fans, it probably won't satisfy your craving for a good sci-fi book. But, for anyone wanting to kill some time reading something a little off the wall, you won't be dissapointed. Probably a good book for kids. It's a quick read, too.
Hilariously funny!.......2002-09-06
Orbiting the G2 star, Brackney's Star III, is the earthlike planet Toka. And, inhabiting the world of Toka are the Hoka, a small, teddy bear-looking race, who are surprisingly strong for their size. Unfortunately their longsuffering human plenipotentiary, Alexander Jones, the Hoka are the most imaginative race in the galaxy, as soon as they discover a new book of fiction, they adopt the roles and live the story...invariably with comedic results!
This book is a collection of short stories about the Hoka and the unfortunate Alexander Jones. Each story is literally laugh-out funny, and the illustrations peppered throughout add a lot to the humor of this wonderful book. With most short story collection there are good and not-so good stories, well that is not the case with this book, they are all hilarious. This is a great book, one that I highly recommend to everyone!
In case you are curious, there are 5 stories in this book. #1) Joy in Mudville tells the story of the Hoka baseball team (the Teddies), and their quest for the Sector Pennant. (No one can stand before the Mighty Casey, right?) #2) Undiplomatic Immunity finds Alexander Jones and a delegation of Hokas on Earth to request that Toka's status be upgraded. Unfortunately for Jones his Hokas have discovered the spy novel! #3) Full Pack (Hokas Wild) describes what happens when the Hokas discover the Jungle Books, and meet up with a group of aliens that look like a tiger, a gorilla and a snake (or should I say Shere Khan, the Banderlog, and Kaa?). #4) In the Napoleon Crime, Hokas across the planet are suddenly introduced to military history with potentially disastrous consequences; can Jones save the day yet again? #5) The Bear That Walks Like a Man is not a Hoka story per se, but a faux-leftist intellectual's look at the Hoka.
Teddy bears and SF.......1999-05-14
If you like teddy bears and science fiction you will love "Hoka". Hoka is a planet discovered by Earth explorers whose inhabtants look exactly like teddy bears. Anderson and Dickson use this premise to expound on human legends and tall tales with hilarious results. A must read.
Average customer rating:
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Hoka! Hoka! Hoka! Prepack (Hardy Boys Casefiles)
Poul Anderson
Manufacturer: Baen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0671716328 |
Average customer rating:
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The old way of the Lakota today
Bruce Hoka Burkhart
Manufacturer: The Old Way-Today
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Binding: Unknown Binding
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ASIN: B0006WLA3S |
Average customer rating:
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'89 kokuji Shin gakushu shido yoryo to kaisets: Tsuketari, shinkyu taishohyo, iko sochi kokuji zenbun, sengo kyoiku katei no ayumi, hoka
Manufacturer: Nihon Kyoiku Shinbunsha Shuppankyoku
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Book Description
The Keystone of Mormonism is one of the most powerful books ever written exposing the differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity. It presents excellent reasoning and scientific evidence that The Book Of Mormon ( a major Mormon missionary tool) is not sacred ancient American history, as claimed by Mormons, but a clever nineteenth century fraud.
Customer Reviews:
Great book - great read.......2006-11-01
It is a quick and easy book to read. It covers many aspects of the belief system and identifies the source documents where the original information can be found. It does not go into the scholarly information in the way Quinn or Brodie would address the subjects, but provides an overview of some of the major problems found in the Mormon Church.
The author goes beyond most books of this type and explores the sociological and control aspects of the Mormon Church. He shows how the Mormon Church manipulates and controls its members using many of the same techniques as the founders. He also discusses the egocentric nature of the early leaders and ethnocentric beliefs found in the Mormon Church. He demonstrates the level of lying and hiding the truth which was prevalent in the early Mormon Church. This lying and hiding the truth about the history and doctrine is still a common characteristic in the Mormon Church.
Criticism has been given in light of the "Trail of Lehi" and "In the Footsteps of Lehi." The "Trail/Footsteps of Lehi" book, lectures and tours have been discredited by the Mormon Church's own apologists, the FARMS organization. This includes the river, alters, names, locations and other information included in the book.
Unconvincing critique of the Book of Mormon.......2006-10-25
This book by Arza Evans contains too many mistakes and ignores a heck of a lot of contemporary Mormon scholarship that blows his arguments out of the water.
For example, in the case of the Arabian geography of the Book of Mormon, Evans charges that no continually flowing river in Arabia exits (1 Nephi 2:5-8). Furthermore, he charges that Bountiful could not possibly exist too (1 Nephi 17:5). However, even before the book was first published, these arguments were proven void.
In 1994, for example, Warren and Michaela Aston published the book, "In the footsteps of Lehi," revealing that plausible candidates for both Nahom (1 Nephi 16:34) and Bountiful exists in the Arabian Peninsula. Furthermore, only a few years later, George Potter discovered a continaully flowing river in Arabia, right where the Book of Mormon states it is. This was one of the first topics discussed in the 2003 book he co-authored with Richard Wellington, entitled, "Lehi in the Wilderness."
Now, the questions of Evans can be turned on their back -
How did Joseph Smith know so much about Arabia? How did he know of the presence of a continually flowing river south-south-east of Jerusalem in Arabia, when, for decades, critics have derided such (and, in their ignorance, continue to do) as an impossibility (see 1 Nephi 2:5-8)? How did he know of a burial site, *NHM* in the same direction, corresponding to "Nahom" where Ishamel was buried in 1 Nephi 16:34? Furthermore, on this point, lime altars have been found in this region, attesting to the historicity of the name and burial site pre-dating the Book of Mormon volume, serving as the first archaeological evidences attesting Book of Mormon antiquity. In addition, how could Smith have known of a lush garden spot east of Nahom, and describe all its physical and material cultural characteristics, when, again, critics have derided Bountiful in Arabia as another impossibility?
I am only scaping the surface, but this should be suffice to show that this book is far from a convincing critique of the Book of Mormon.
Why has the LDS church made 4000 corrections to a book translated word for word by the power of God?.......2006-03-23
Joseph Smith claimed that he translated the Book of Mormon word for word with the power of God. He said that it contained the fullness of the gospel and that it was the "most correct book on earth".
Too bad that the LDS church has made approx. 4000 corrections in several new editions since Smith first published the Book of Mormon in 1830. These changes do everything from correct grammar mistakes and spelling errors to change the theology of the book to reflect the mormon theology that developed after its publication. Apparently God doesn't know English very well, and apparently he changed his mind that blacks are darkskinned because they are evil.
This book shows the Book of Mormon to be the made up fantasy that it truly is by attacking it from every angle imaginable: science, history, grammar, theology, as well as several chapters about the lives of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
In regard to their lives, you'll learn that Smith had at least 50 wives (probably more) and that many times they were women who were already married and who he forced to swear an oath of secrecy, even from their husbands and any children they had from Smith. You'll learn that Young died a millionaire.
I admit, however, that this is not the most scholarly book ever, and isn't the best written. But it's an honest presentatin of information gathered by an ex-mormon.
I definitely recommend it.
Engaging -- tough to put down.......2004-11-09
Arza's is yet another story of a faithful lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon) who decides to investigate the claims of the Book of Mormon and research church history only to discover all sorts of problems, inconsistencies, and deception. And, like others, Arza went on to write a book about what he found and ended up getting excommunicated. Such is the all-to-common fate of intelligent and honest members of the church who look too deeply at the shadowy history of Mormonism.
"The Keystone of Mormonism" is ostensibly a book about the Book of Mormon, which was written by the church's founder, Joseph Smith, and is presented by the church as literal scriptural history of ancient America. Arza's taken the title of his book from a comment by Joseph Smith (founder of the Mormon Church) to the effect that the Book of Mormon is ".... The most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion..."
While the first part of Arza's book is about the Book of Mormon, and its many well-known and serious problems with science, the second half is a treatise on LDS doctrine and some of the darker episodes in LDS history. Woven throughout Arza's book is his clear and unmistakable conclusion that Smith was a con artist, adulterer, and a shrewd and calculating cult leader devoid of common standards of morality and decency. This, of course, is the polar opposite of how Mormons view their leader. The difference being largely due to the way in which Mormons are raised on a diet of official historical fiction/fantasy, while Arza's conclusions are drawn from his extensive examination of historical documents and even-handed application of standards for moral decency.
For devout Mormons, Arza's book will hardly be convincing. It's simply too easy for true believers to glibly ignore critical information about the church while claiming the apostates are possessed of a "lying tongue," and given over to the devil. What these members would see, if they'd bother looking, is that virtually all of Arza's conclusions are drawn from pronouncements made by church leaders, who were speaking in their capacity as "prophets, seers, and revelators" while publishing their teachings using church avenues of communication.
For example, one of Arza's points is that Smith was full of himself, and that he organized the church, in part, to feed an insatiable ego. To back this up, Arza quotes dozens of passages from church documents that illustrate how egotistical Smith really was. Here is an example from the Doctrine and Covenant (official LDS scripture):
"Whatsoever they [Smith and other priesthood leaders in the church] shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."
Mormons often quote this scripture to justify strict obedience to their church leaders, but Arza helps see this statement (and dozens of others, equally full of pride) as the ambition of a backwoods con artist who had finally attained the level of respect and adoration that he so desperately needed. Arza then shows how this thirst for human praise exists today in the General Authorities of the church when they do things like having themselves "sustained" twice yearly as "prophets, seers, and revelators."
To many non-Mormons the esteem with which Mormons hold Smith borders on worship. Indeed, while mainline Christian churches attribute the resurrection solely to Jesus Christ, in Mormonism the resurrection is predicated upon Joseph Smith's say-so. Here is another choice reference from Arza's book:
"How are you going to get your resurrection? You will get it by the President of the resurrection pertaining to this generation, and that is Joseph Smith Jun. Hear it all ye ends of the earth; if ever you enter into the kingdom of God it is because Joseph Smith let you go there. This will apply to Jews and Gentiles, to the bond, and the free; to friends and foes; no man or woman in this generation will get a resurrection and be crowned, without Joseph Smith saying so. The man who was martyred in Carthage Jail, State of Illinois, holds the keys of life and death to this generation. He is the President of the resurrection in this dispensation, ..." (Brigham Young, unpublished Discourse, October 8, 1854).
Another persistent theme in Arza's book is the manner in which the LDS Church uses "persuasive techniques" to cajole members into compliance. For example, on page 131, Arza says:
"If a child can be so thoroughly indoctrinated that he or she becomes incapable of spontaneous, independent thinking, this extinguishment of individuality may be considered a serious form of child abuse."
Arza illustrates the church's use of family as an extension of power, effectively using mothers, fathers, and siblings to exert extraordinary pressure on individuals to conform, pressure that the organization alone could never muster.
The preeminent example of a hidden agenda, deceit, and sexual exploitation all rolled into one is the practice of polygamy as taught by the LDS Church. Indeed a significant portion of Arza's book is aimed at discussing polygamy, and especially the immoral way in which Joseph Smith committed adultery while pretending that his sexual indiscretions were done at the command of God under the guise of polygamy. Particularly damning is the manner in which Arza reviews the historical documentation showing that Smith engaged in this lewd sexual conduct under the guise of polygamous marriages to women who, at the time, were already married to other men.
I found Arza's book to be hard hitting, but mostly fair and balanced. He certainly pulls no punches in holding Mormonism up to the standards it professes, and illustrating quite convincingly (I think) the church's failure to do as they preach.
The most important new analysis of The Book of Mormon.......2004-03-27
I loved reading this book. I started on a Saturday morning and could not put it down. I was locked in, and read it straight through over a weekend. As a lifetime active member of the LDS Church, this book moved me deeply to my very core in every way: emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. I learned more about the Book of Mormon and Church history from Professor Evans than I had anywhere else before. This book is a treasure chest of essential information from official LDS Church sources for anyone who takes study of the Book of Mormon seriously.
Evans' many years of impeccable research for this book is very evident in his unwaveringly honest and well organized approach. His sources are verbatim quotations from official LDS Church publications so they are unimpeachable. As a result, The Keystone of Mormonism is one of the most important analysis of the Book of Mormon and relevant LDS history written to date. It is highly recommended for the both the LDS reader and those interested in understanding the history of Mormonism. The author is a lifetime member of the LDS church, a former missionary, church leader, and former college professor. Evans' teaching expertise is evident in his writing. His personal style will engage the average reader, yet all his references are meticulously footnoted in the back of the book to satisfy the interests of the most ardent scholar.
The Keystone of Mormonism is a highly factual historical analysis of official LDS records but it is far from a dry historical read. What makes these facts so spellbinding and valuable to the reader is that Evans relates his historical discoveries in a voice that reveals his most personal inner reactions on his unfolding journey of discovery into official Church documented history. Ultimately his research reveals much more that is unsettling about Mormonism than he had counted on discovering and the challenge it presents to Evans faith will be echoed in the heart of every honest LDS reader.
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