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The Baths of CaracallaThe Baths of Caracalla: A Glimpse into Ancient Roman Leisure Historical Context of The Baths of Caracalla The Significance of Roman Bathhouses in Ancient Society The Baths of Caracalla were not just places for bathing; they were social hubs in ancient Rome. These grand bathhouses served as centers for relaxation, exercise, and social interaction. Romans of all classes gathered here, making it a melting pot of culture and community. The baths featured
The Baths of Caracalla: A Glimpse into Ancient Roman Leisure
Historical Context of The Baths of Caracalla
The Significance of Roman Bathhouses in Ancient Society
The Baths of Caracalla were not just places for bathing; they were social hubs in ancient Rome. These grand bathhouses served as centers for relaxation, exercise, and social interaction. Romans of all classes gathered here, making it a melting pot of culture and community. The baths featured hot and cold pools, steam rooms, and even libraries, showcasing the Romans' dedication to both hygiene and leisure.Emperor Caracalla: The Man Behind the Monument
Emperor Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus, ruled from 198 to 217 AD. He is known for his ambitious building projects, including the magnificent baths that bear his name. Caracalla aimed to gain popularity among the Roman citizens, and the baths were a testament to his power and vision. Interestingly, he also granted Roman citizenship to all free men in the empire, a move that expanded the social fabric of Rome.Architectural Marvels of the Baths: A Blend of Function and Beauty
The Baths of Caracalla were architectural wonders of their time. Spanning over 33 acres, they featured stunning mosaics, towering columns, and intricate frescoes. The design incorporated advanced engineering techniques, including hypocaust systems for heating. This blend of functionality and beauty made the baths a symbol of Roman innovation and luxury.Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema: The Master of Classical Revival
Biographical Insights: Alma-Tadema's Artistic Journey
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was a Dutch-born painter who became a prominent figure in the Victorian art scene. His fascination with ancient cultures led him to create vivid depictions of Roman life. Alma-Tadema's works often reflect his meticulous attention to detail and his passion for historical accuracy, making him a master of classical revival.Influences of the Victorian Era on Alma-Tadema's Work
The Victorian era was marked by a fascination with the past, and Alma-Tadema's art embodies this spirit. He drew inspiration from classical literature, archaeology, and the romanticized views of ancient civilizations. His paintings often feature lush landscapes and opulent settings, capturing the grandeur of historical moments.Techniques and Styles: The Unique Brushwork of Alma-Tadema
Alma-Tadema's technique involved layering thin glazes to achieve luminous colors. His brushwork is characterized by fine detail and a realistic portrayal of textures, from the softness of fabric to the gleam of marble. This meticulous approach brings his subjects to life, inviting viewers to step into the scenes he created.Visual Analysis of The Baths of Caracalla
Color Palette: The Vibrant Hues of Roman Life
The color palette of The Baths of Caracalla is rich and vibrant, reflecting the lively atmosphere of ancient Rome. Alma-Tadema used warm earth tones alongside bright blues and greens to evoke the beauty of the Roman landscape. This dynamic use of color enhances the sense of movement and activity within the painting.Composition and Perspective: A Window into Ancient Rome
Alma-Tadema's composition draws the viewer's eye into the scene, creating a sense of depth and perspective. The arrangement of figures and architectural elements guides the viewer through the bustling environment of the baths. This technique allows for an immersive experience, as if one is witnessing the daily life of Romans firsthand.Figures and Symbolism: The People of the Baths
The figures in The Baths of Caracalla are carefully crafted, each telling a story of their own. From the elegantly draped women to the robust men, Alma-Tadema captures the diversity of Roman society. The interactions between the figures symbolize the social dynamics of the time, highlighting the importance of community and leisure.Thematic Exploration: Leisure and Culture in Ancient Rome
Social Interactions: The Role of Bathing in Roman Society
Bathing was a vital part of Roman culture, serving as a social equalizer. People from different social classes mingled in the baths, fostering connections and conversations. This communal aspect of bathing reflects the Roman values of hospitality and social engagement.Art and Architecture: A Reflection of Roman Values
The grandeur of the Baths of Caracalla reflects the Roman emphasis on beauty and functionality. The intricate mosaics and sculptures not only served decorative purposes but also conveyed messages about power, wealth, and the importance of public spaces in Roman life.Gender Dynamics: Men and Women in the Baths
The baths were spaces where gender dynamics played out in unique ways. While men and women often bathed separately, the baths provided opportunities for social interaction. Alma-Tadema's painting captures these dynamics, showcasing the roles and relationships between genders in ancient Roman society.Comparative Analysis: Alma-Tadema's Other Works
Similarities and Differences with Other Historical Paintings
Alma-Tadema's works often share themes of leisure and classical beauty, similar to those of his contemporaries. However, his unique focus on the everyday lives of ancient people sets him apart. His attention to detail and vibrant color choices create a distinct style that resonates with viewers.Recurring Themes in Alma-Tadema's Art
Recurring themes in Alma-Tadema's art include the celebration of beauty, the exploration of social interactions, and the depiction of historical accuracy. His works often invite viewers to reflect on the past while appreciating the artistry of the present.Influence on Contemporary Artists and Modern Interpretations
Alma-Tadema's influence extends to contemporary artists who explore themes of history and culture. His ability to blend realism with romanticism continues to inspire modern interpretations of classical subjects, making his work relevant even today.Visiting The Baths of Caracalla Today
Preservation Efforts: Keeping History Alive
Today, the Baths of Caracalla stand as a testament to ancient Roman engineering and culture. Preservation efforts focus on maintaining the structural integrity of the ruins while allowing visitors to experience their grandeur. These efforts ensure that future generations can appreciate this historical site.Tourist Experience: What to Expect When Visiting
Visitors to the Baths of Caracalla can expect a journey through history. The expansive ruins offer a glimpse into the architectural brilliance of ancient Rome. Guided tours provide insights into the baths' significance, enhancing the overall experience.Connecting with the Past: The Impact of Art on Modern Visitors
Art, like Alma-Tadema's painting, helps modern visitors connect with the past. The visual representation of ancient life evokes curiosity and appreciation for Roman culture. This connection fosters a deeper understanding of history and its relevance today.FAQs About The Baths of Caracalla
What is the historical significance of The Baths of Caracalla?
The Baths of Caracalla symbolize the grandeur of Roman engineering and social life, serving as a hub for leisure and community.How did Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema depict Roman culture in his painting?
Alma-Tadema captured the vibrancy of Roman life through detailed figures, rich colors, and a focus on social interactions within the baths.What techniques did Alma-Tadema use in The Baths of Caracalla?
Alma-Tadema employed layering glazes and meticulous brushwork to create depth, texture, and a luminous quality in his painting.What themes are explored in The Baths of Caracalla painting?
The painting explores themes of leisure, social dynamics, and the cultural significance of bathing in ancient Rome.How does The Baths of Caracalla compare to other works by Alma-Tadema?
While sharing themes of beauty and leisure, The Baths of Caracalla uniquely focuses on the communal aspects of Roman life, setting it apart from his other works.What can I learn from the painting about ancient Roman leisure activities?
The painting illustrates the importance of social interaction and relaxation in Roman culture, highlighting how bathing served as a communal activity.Are there any notable reproductions of The Baths of Caracalla available?
Yes, high-quality painting reproductions of The Baths of Caracalla are available, offering a superior alternative to prints. These reproductions capture the intricate details and vibrant colors of Alma-Tadema's original work, allowing art lovers to bring a piece of history into their homes.Shipping Notes
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4.7 ★★★★★
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★★★★★ 5
Everyone interested in Mormon History or Mormonism should read this book.
Format: Paperback
This book is a classic, and is generally recognized as such. The topic, which is the life of Joseph Smith, found its ideal author in Fawn Brodie, a Mormon who was on the verge of excommunication and who as about as sympathetic to Smith as an honest historian could be. One is tempted to say that Smith is presented, warts and all. But it would be more helpful to say that Smith is presented, virtues and all, because a man who concocts what purports to be holy scripture, who fakes divine revelation, who organizes three Waco-type compounds, who institutes militias and secret societies to kill his enemies, who decrees polygamy to satify the lusts of himself and his male colleagues, who orders the destruction of his enemies and who lies about most of these things probably has more warts than virtues.
Brodie wrestles constantly with the issue of how a man of such limited education and rather obvious fraudulent intent could attract thousands of dedicated followers. It is no wonder that Brodie in her later works became so attracted to psycho-history. She advances a rather attractive hypothesis which suggests how Smith could have deluded himself into believing his own nonsense: Since all our thoughts are the product of previous states of mind, and since these states include all the factors which go into our perceptions, concepts and mental "programs", there is no essential difference between our control over our waking thoughts and our control over our dreams, reveries, and other semi-conscious states. We just think there is, because the illusion of control is part of the nature of the mental state we call "consciousness." If that is so, then it can be argued that a "revelation" which derives from our past state of mind is no more originated by our own will than the conscious perception that we are being visited by the angel Moroni.
Of course, this line of thought comes dangerously close to solipsism, and solipsism comes dangerously close to autotheism (if there is nothing else in the universe but oneself, then everything there is must be an extension of oneself, and hence one must be God). Toward the end of his life, Smith's megalomania was indeed headed in this direction.
Brodie does a wonderful job describing how Charismatic Smith must have been. To have persuaded people of real intelligence and ability like Brigham Young and his own wife Emma into believing and supporting him throughout his career, and to have, as she puts it, "Caused men to see visions" is no mean feat. And to have created a religion which, for all its faults, is far more admirable than its own founder bespeaks one of the most fascinating characters in American history. Everyone interested in religion, psychology, and American History should read this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2007
★★★★★ 4
"The definitive work on the Mormon prophet"
Format: Paperback
When a Mormon girl joined our school when I was in the fifth grade, I became curious about Mormonism, though never enough to read much about it. That curiosity eventually morphed into curiosity about Joseph Smith, its founder. How does one go about establishing a new religion? In nineteenth-century America, no less?
One salient point in Fawn Brodie's biography of Smith (b. 1805, d. 1844) is that the years of his youth and early manhood "were the most fertile in America's history for the sprouting of prophets." William Miller, John Humphrey Noyes, Jemima Wilkinson, Joseph Dylks. Smith, then, was not an isolated phenomenon. Another salient point: before the angel Moroni directed him to the book of golden plates that he then translated and published as the Book of Mormon, Smith was a practitioner of necromancy and advertised his ability to divine buried deposits of gold and money.
Brodie seems to like Smith. She portrays him as gregarious, imbued with great personal charm, having a quick mind, and genuinely fond of people. She also writes that "embedded in [his] character was the commonplace Yankee mixture of piety and avarice," which "he developed to a special flowering." That special flowering was a religious con man, one who eventually inhabited the fabulous castles of his own devising. By the 1840s and the settlement of Nauvoo, Smith was using his position as spiritual and political head of the Mormon community for his own, secret, monetary gain. And then there was his concupiscence. In his later years, he took somewhere between twenty-seven and fifty wives; not all but many of those marriages were consummated sexually. The practice of "plural wives" of course received theological blessing (or rationalization), but even so Smith could be both sneaky and high-handed in pursuing it. For example, in April 1843 his wife Emma went to St. Louis on business with Lorin Walker, one of Smith's business aides. During their absence Smith asked Walker's seventeen-year-old sister Lucy to become his wife. According to Lucy, his proposal/seduction went like this: "I have no flattering words to offer. It is a command of God to you. I will give you until tomorrow to decide this matter. If you reject this message, the gate will be closed forever against you."
In many respects, Joseph Smith seems to have been a quintessential American. Similarly, his Mormonism seems a fittingly American religion. Along the same lines, Brodie sees the Book of Mormon as "one of the earliest examples of frontier fiction, the first long Yankee narrative that owes nothing to English literary fashions. Except for the borrowings from the King James Bible, its sources are absolutely American. * * * Its matter is drawn directly from the American frontier, from the impassioned revivalist sermons, the popular fallacies about Indian origin, and the current political crusades."
NO MAN KNOWS MY HISTORY quells my curiosity regarding Joseph Smith. It also serves as a history of the early Mormon Church and a window on the United States circa 1820 to 1845. The book's style is somewhat old-fashioned (it originally was published in 1945), and as history it is more scholarly than popular. There is a lot of detail, much more than I really wanted. (Smith would make an ideal subject for a pithy two-hundred-page biography.) Most importantly, I sense that the biography is objective. In that regard, it should be noted that before becoming an esteemed professor of history at UCLA, Fawn Brodie grew up a devout Mormon in a small hamlet outside Ogden, Utah. In 1946, she was summarily excommunicated from the Mormon Church as a heretic.
In 2012, James Reston, Jr. wrote that NO MAN KNOWS MY HISTORY "remains today the definitive work on the Mormon prophet."
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2016
★★★★★ 5
Raises a 100 questions for conscientious Mormons
Format: Paperback
If you want a good understanding of the history of the Mormon church, this is the book. Mormons don't like it and wont read it because they have been told not to read it. But Brodie was a solid historian and I think any courageous Mormon should read it and challenge their own beliefs (or if you will, there own inculcations).
I have a number of good friends who are Mormon, I don't criticize their compassion and commitment to family. I do question their theology. Here are the questions that occurred to me after reading Brodie's book.
Preamble: In order for something to be valid, the source and the content need to be credible. If the source is not credible, the content is held suspect. If the content is not credible, the source is held suspect. Would I trust someone who spoke of peace and preached bloodthirsty war? Would I trust someone who called drinking a sin but set up bar in his own house? Would I trust someone who said he was faithful to his wife, when all the while committing adultery? Would I trust someone who has so-called revelations from God that are clearly self-serving? Would I trust someone who claims that he is reading Egyptian when the text is really Greek? Would I trust someone who said he was given golden tablets from God—tablets that were conveniently returned to heaven? Would I trust someone who declared he was the only prophet on earth?
REVELATIONS (Can we follow a prophet who is so self serving?)
1. Changes Genesis to include a prophesy of the coming of Joseph Smith. Isaiah made to refer to the book of Mormon and the witnesses.
2. Doesn’t want to be a farmer. “In temporal labors thou shalt not have strength, for this is not thy calling.” Book of Commandments, Chapter 25, verse 14
3. Emma wants JS to be a farmer. New revelation: “Thou needest not fear, for thy husband shall support thee from the Church. Continue in the spirit of meekness and beware of pride. Let thy soul delight in thy husband…And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come.” Book of commandments Chapter 26, pp58-59 FB90
4. Cowdrey thought that others should share in revelations (including Hiram Page who was trying to get revelation with a black stone). JS has a new revelation: “”behold, I say unto thee, Oliver…no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this Church, excepting my servant JS, Junior, for he receiveth them even as Moses. Thou shalt take thy brother Hiram page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he had written from that stone, are not of me, and that Satan deceiveth him.” FB92
5. Revelation to give all property to JS: “Behold, thou shalt consecrate all thy properties, that which thou hast unto me, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken and they shall be laid before the bishop of my church” Book of Commandments. Later revised.FB106
6. In Kirtland, Ohio, JS tries to heal a man with a withered hand, a lame man, a dead child. Fails. New revelation: “Thirty men to leave at once for Missouri” Why? The miracles could not be performed in Ohio, because it was not consecrated ground, that only in the Promised Land could the blind be made to see, the lame to walk, and the dead be quickened. Doctrines and Covenants, sec 52 FB112
7. Resentment in Zion (Independence Missouri) against Joseph’s absence: “Cease wearying me concerning this matter.” Doctrine and Covenants, Section 90. FB122
8. Arguments about how to parcel out the community property. So JS has a revelation giving him the temple lot. FB141
9. JS revelation directing Cowdery to go to Toronto where they would find a man anxious to buy the book of Mormon. Didn’t happen. FB81
10. JS revelation to deal with Martin Harris. “And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon…And misery thou shalt receive if thou wilt slight these counsels, yea, even the destruction of thyself and property…Pay the printer’s debt! Release thyself from bondage.” (Book of commandments, Chapter 16) Thoroughly scared, he sold his farm and the book was printed in 1830. FB82
11. In Missouri on a high bluff overlooking Grand River someone discovered the ruins of what seemed to be an altar. JS: “This Upon this very altar Adam himself offered up sacrifices to Jehovah. Here Adam shall come to visit his people.” The Far West is probably where Cain killed Abel. FB211
12. Polygamy. Revelation: Destroy Emma and give me 10 virgins. FB 341 Doctrine and Covenant 132
13. The president presides over the whole church. Doctrine and Covenants 107
14. JS revelation to build a hotel with a suite of rooms in the hotel for JS and his posterity “from generation to generation for ever and ever.” FB263
15. Revelation to bless Bennett FB268. Later Bennett is excommunicated when both Bennett and JS lusted after Nancy Rigdon See JS’s letter to Nancy: FB310 In The History of the Church. Unsigned letter—nice use of artifice.
PROBLEMATIC THEOLOGY (Can theology so convoluted and false be believed?)
1. Nephi and his brothers and father Lehi (as in Lehigh River) leave Jerusalem in 600 BC. Nephi’s brothers, Laman and Lemuel were evil-tempered brothers, God cursed them and all their descendants with a red skin. (So indians are cursed?) Nephi and his pious younger brothers begat white children (although they must have married evil redskins to multiply).
2. JS has Jared bringing horses, swine, sheep, cattle, and asses to America. The Nephites produce wheat and barley rather than the indigenous maize and potatoes. FB72
3. Revisionist. 2500 BC Jared sailed in barges that could sail anyside up. The Book of Ether. (FB p 71)
4. Witness of the plates. In the Lord’s name, “It is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them…And ye shall testify that you have seen them…And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.” (FB 76)
5. Lorenzo Snow: “As man is, God once was; and as God is, man may become.” (FB300)
6. Paul had said that in heaven there would be no marriage or giving in marriage, but Joseph taught that this would not apply to his Saints. That which he and his elders sealed on earth would be binding also in heaven. There a man would have not only his wives and children, but also the prerogative of procreating more, until, as he expressed it to Parley Pratt, “the result of our endless union would be offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven. This was the road to godhood. (FB299)
7. Three levels of heaven: Celestial (three levels), terrestrial, teletrial.
8. If a man went to heaven with ten wives, he would have more than tenfold the blessings of a mere monogamist, for all the children begotten through these wives would enhance his kingdom. The man with only one wife, on the other hand, would be denied even her and forced to spend eternity as a ministering angel rather than a god. (FB300)
9. Martin Harris, one of the witnesses, is having his own visions: Seen Jesus in the shape of a deer and talked with him. The devil resembled a jackass with short hair similar to a mouse. He prophesied that by 1838 Joseph’s church would be so large that there would be no need for a president of the US. [No surprise given that he is one of the credulous witnesses.]
10. JS goes to Canada for 5 weeks. When he returns, his three witnesses (Harris, Cowdrey, and David Whitmer—all later excommunicated) had turned their loyalty to a young girl seer of a black stone. Patterning herself after the Shakers, the new prophetess would dance into exhaustion, fall upon the floor, and burst forth with revelations. Harris is cutoff. FB205 QUESTION: Don’t you question the veracity of the witnesses who are so easily duped?
SPURIOUS ASSERTIONS (Can we give credence to so many discrepancies and inconsistencies?)
1. Of the 11 witnesses of the Book of Mormon only Joseph’s father and brothers were left in the church. The others either left or were excommunicated.
2. View of the Hebrews. Oliver Cowdery, transcriber, came from Vermont; mother and sister were members of Ethan Smith’s church. Ethan Smith, author of View of the Hebrews (1823) and lectured in JS’s town. B.H Roberts Mormon apologist, wrote his opinion in 1922, but not published until 1985 (Roberts died in 1933). 1985 Dallin Oaks “The fact that something is true is not always a justification for communicating it. Some things that are true are not edifying or appropriate to communicate.”
3. 1835, exhibition of mummies. JS pronounces the papyrus writings of Abraham and the Joseph of Egypt. They were ordinary funeral documents as found on thousands of Egyptian graves. FB171, 175
4. Cowdery excommunicated for accusing JS of adultery. FB182
5. 1836 JS goes to Salem on a Treasure hunt for gold as ordered by God. There is none to be found. FB 192 Doctrine and Covenants 111
6. JS has three versions of first visit from angels: 1. The lord 2. Two persons 3. God and Jesus. And his age changes from 14 to 16. The last version was the only one known by believers until 1965. FB409
JOSEPH SMITH’S CHARACTER (To quote Matthew, “By their fruits you will know them.” Joseph Smith’s behavior shows him to be petulant, imperious, arrogant, hypocritical, belligerent, bellicose, irascible, manipulative, fraudulent, adulterous, and mendacious. (Can we put our trust in someone with so many character flaws?)
1. Arrogant: Character: Requested and received from the Governor the commission of lieutenant-general. He often preferred the title of “General,” even to “president,” and used it in his correspondence. His uniform included gold braid, military boots and chapeau topped with ostrich feathers. On his hip a sword and two big horse pistols. Seated on a magnificent black stallion. FB272
2. Arrogant: Runs for president of US for publicity and respect.FB262
3. Arrogant: He was not only a US presidential candidate, but also mayor of Nauvoo, judge of the municipal court, merchant of the leading store, hotel keeper, official temple architect, real estate agent, contractor, recorder of deeds, steamboat owner, trustee in trust for all the finances of the church, lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion, spiritual adviser and Lord’s communicant to the true church, King of the new Kingdom of god (see FB356), and husband of almost 50 wives.” In Joseph Smith’s words: “I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammeled.” FB366
4. Hypocritical: Permitted the construction of a brewery and advertised in the Nauvoo Neighbor. FB289
5. Hypocritical: JS sets up a bar in his hotel until Emma protests FB 332
6. Petulant and irascible: Sylvester Smith and the bulldog “I’ll whip you in the name of the Lord. And if you continue in the same spirit and don’t repent, that dog will eat the flesh off your bones and shall not have the power to resist!” History of the Church, Vol II, pp 150-160. FB 150
7. Bellicose: War Speech “We will trample down our enemies and make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.” FB230 (Source Affidavits from seven followers. FB229)
8. Bellicose: War cry: “If mobs come upon you any more here, dung your gardens with them” FB352 History of the Church.Vol 5, pp 465-73
9. Bellicose: JS empties all six barrels of a pepperbox gun in the prison cell. FB393
10. Imposter: He doesn’t know Greek from Egyptian FB290
11. Fraudulent and Mendacious: JS forces leaders to perjure themselves, swearing that polygamy does not exist. These sworn statements were published in Times and Seasons, Vol III in October 1842. JS had already been married to Sarah Ann Whitney 3 months earlier—and 19 others. FB320-21, 335.
12. Fraudulent: To take care of debt, he creates an illegal bank and starts stamping out money, designating himself as cashier. History of the Church, Vol 11, p 471 FB194
13. Manipulative (and criminal): He had the city council pass an ordinance providing that if any officer came to Nauvoo with a writ for his arrest based on the old Missouri difficulties, he should be arrested, tried, and if found guilty sentence to life imprisonment in the city jail. He could only be pardoned by JS. FB355
7. Manipulative and mendacious. William Laws (mentioning no names but swearing that he had read the revelation of every man granted 10 virgins) of The Expositor reports story of polygamy. JS proclaims that the press must be destroyed and so it was. FB374-377 (Reminds me of Dallin Oats: “The fact that something is true is not always a justification for communicating it. Some things that are true are not edifying or appropriate to communicate.”
14. Mendacious: 1844: “What a thing it is for a man to be accused for committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can find only one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago, and I can prove them all perjurers.” History of the Church, Vol VI, pp 408-412. FB 374 He had 48 wives as early by 1844. FB335
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Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2015
★★★★★ 5
Good to work with
Format: Paperback
Very fast shipping the book I ordered was much better than descripted good company to work with.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Moroni sans i, Mormon sans 2nd m
Format: Paperback
This is carefully researched and well-written book. I felt that I needed to read it, I wanted to read it, after reading Jon Krakauer's 'Under the Banner of Heaven' After all, the flds religion of today is essentially the original religion created by Joseph Smith, who was a premier snake oil salesman. If you've ever wondered where religions come from then here we have the history of one that formed and grew on American soil early in the 19th century in the soil of rebellion tilled by the American Revolution. Brodie covers the influence on Smith and others of the atmosphere of revivalism. One can in any case ask: how can anyone take the Book of Mormon seriously, but then how can anyone take the Book of Mark seriously? What is clear to me is that Mormonism is not Christianity, Smith used parts of Christianity as a takeoff point and revised them ala Moroni. This is not new in the history of religion, Mohammed revised and used parts of the Old Testament as a takeoff point for writing the Koran. The tale of Noah and the flood in the Old Testament was preceded by an earlier Summerian flood tale. Smith wrote in the era before the ideas of evolution of animals and evolution of the earth had come into being; he apparently lifted the tale of the American Indians' origin as Jewish from another book ms. The speculation that they are descended from one of two lost tribes of Israel who came to America is built centrally into the Book of Mormon Then he added that they were visited in America by Jesus, who descended from heaven (another archaic notion). Well, there was no effective way to challenge such hokeyness in Smith's day. We now know from DNA testing that the tale of the Indians' origin as Jewish holds no water. Nor does the rest of the book of moroni. Brodie's history is invaluable because it comes as close as you can get to describing the formation of a mass religion from the grass roots. Next time two starry-eyed, shiny-faced, tie-and-suited young men arrive at your doorstep on bicycles, you might consider offering them a good physics and/or biology book as antidote to the delusions that they're peddling,
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Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2018
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