Eph Hanks: Fearless Mormon Scout

I understand this is advertised as a novel, but I didn't expect it to be so far off from the truth. I'm sure the effort to distance from the realities of polygamy that Eph Hanks believed in and lived played a large role in the completely inaccurate account of his marriages. To do so, he had to attribute stories to the wrong wife and completely erased a third wife from the story. The story of the kidnapped boy was inaccurate, blaming the Indians where the truth is it wasn't an Indian at all. There are some serious racist overtones as well. If you're interested in a more accurate version of the story, look for "The Tempered Wind." It's written by Thisbe Reed Hanks and us a much better read. Erasing the true past doesn't change it. It only disregards the trauma and pain caused by harmful beliefs and practices - which changes nothing and only contributes to the harm.

The only criticism I have of this book is that it leaves a great deal out! Ivan Barrett has done a masterful job of research, and has put together many great stories. But the book left me wanting the details, more fill-in. I'd love to read his research notes for this book.