Todd M. ComptonCritiques

This is truly a remarkable biography of a remarkable man: settler, explorer, missionary, and patriarch. Compton is to be congratulated for the good work he has done in writing this book, in many instances correcting the work of historians who've come before him. (And the relevant awarding bodies have indeed congratulated him.)

Two points:

1) While there are a few maps scattered through the book, they are mostly of limited coverage and often historical artifacts rather than exceedingly clear and accurate. If I were to read this book over again, I'd be sure to have road maps of Utah and Arizona by my side.

2) The concluding chapter on Hamblin's legacy was a bit of a letdown, because it (correctly) points out that much of Hamblin's proselytizing didn't really stick, and his work as a settler and explorer to a large degree ended up hurting the Native Americans whom he loved. One way for Hamblin's legacy to be changed is for more people to read this book! Then, maybe his example of courage, self-sacrifice, faith, and kindness will inspire others to go and do likewise.

Long, somewhat redundant at times, yet still an excellent biography. Tis hard to understand why Mormon women put up with polygamy, then and now. Finished 23.10.19½