In 1997, Terryl Givens's The Viper on the Hearth was praised as a
new classic in Mormon studies. In the wake of Mormon-inspired and
-created artistic, literary, and political activity - today's
"Mormon moment" - Givens presents a revised and updated edition of
his book to address the continuing presence and reception of the
Mormon image in contemporary culture. "The Viper on the Hearth by
Terryl L. Givens is a remarkably lucid and useful study of the
patterns of American prejudices against the Mormon people. It
provides also a valuable paradigm for the study of all religious
'heresy'." - Harold Bloom "A well-researched and insightful
book...He illuminates the phenomena of religious heresy and
persecution generally. The book is thoroughly documented, and
Givens writes with a graceful style. This is an excellent example
of both historical and literary scholarship." - American Historical
Review "Contains provocative insights into American culture, LDS
identity, nineteenth-century literature, rhetorics of oppression,
and religious formation. The narrative is short, subtle, and crisp;
Givens rarely wastes a sentence. A work to be read with patience
and care. I highly recommend this book." - Religious Studies Review
"The book is sophisticated, long on analysis...He has read widely
in the vast secondary literature...and produced a study worthy of
its prestigious publisher." - Church History "Widely researched,
theoretically informed, and gracefully written, this work is a
model of significant interdisciplinary study." - Western American
Literature "It could influence American religion studies the same
way Bauer's Orthodoxy and Heresy challenged and changed
perceptions. Intelligently conceived,...skillful textual
analysis,...exemplary scholarship...It illuminates dilemmas and
paradoxes central to American religion and culture generally. The
prose, illustrations, and overall construction of the book are
aesthetically pleasing. The exemplary scholarship significantly
enriches Mormon historiography....Few books succeed, as this one
does, in stimulating thought far beyond their own scope." - Journal
of Mormon History "A subtlety and sophistication that will delight
and enlighten readers. The most detailed and sophisticated study to
date of patterns of representation in 19th c anti-Mormonism." - BYU
Studies "A powerful and compelling thesis...[an] ingenious
reading... Chapter five should become a classic in Mormon Studies.
For a great reading experience in thoughtful and independently
conceived religious and cultural thinking rare in Mormon studies,
turn to this addition in the excellent 'Religion in America
Series,' published by Oxford University Press." - Journal of
American Ethnic History "Well-researched and illuminating
study...Gives us a fresh understanding of the process of
myth-making...Locates it arguments in a carefully constructed
historical context." - Journal of the Early Republic "In this
fascinating study, he examines how Mormons have been constructed as
the great and abominable 'other.' Interestingly, although the
religion was once scorned for its 'weirdness,' it is now because
Mormons occupy what used to be the center that they fall into
contempt." - Utah Historical Quarterly "A wonderfully
thought-through look at the interrelationships between fiction,
religion, and the culture of humor/hostility....It represents a
significant contribution to our understanding of literary
relations." - Larry H. Peer, Brigham Young University "This is the
first full explanation of why Mormons have been demonized by a
nation that prides itself on open toleration of all faiths. Givens
carefully appraises every past explanation for the printed attacks
and physical persecutions that occurred from the 1830s onward, as
newspapers, novels, and satires convinced a 'tolerant' public that
Mormons should not be tolerated. He then makes a convincing
argument that the primary affront the Mormons offered was
theological: their anthropomorphic picture of God and of his
continuing personal revelations to the one true church. The book is
thus an impressive achievement that should interest not just
Mormons or other religious believers but anyone who cares about how
'freedom-loving,' 'tolerant' Americans turned 'heretics' into
subhuman monsters deserving destruction." - Wayne Booth, University
of Chicago (Emeritus)
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