Don't miss 'Under the Banner of Heaven'

Jon Krakauer, an outdoor writer and journalist-turned novelist, has struck gold with his fourth book, "Under the Banner of Heaven." In his previous works, Krakauer has explored the relationship man has with nature; "Into the Wild" illustrated the unforgiving nature of the wilderness, and "Into Thin Air" showed the dangers of commercializing treacherous outdoors expeditions. Instead of focusing on man and nature, Krakauer is focusing on man and God in his latest work.\n"Under the Banner of Heaven" is a novel recounting the horrific murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. The mother and daughter were ritualistically slain in their home by members of Brenda's husband's family. The reason behind the senseless murders was something astounding; the culprits, Ron and Dan Lafferty, believed they were sent an edict from God to kill the mother and daughter. What drew attention to this case nationwide was not the brutality of the murders, but rather the violent faith that led these men to murder. When asked about the crime, Dan Lafferty admits to killing the pair, but also insists he committed no crime. He was on a mission from God.\nBoth murderers are part of a Mormon Fundamentalist sect. Members who proscribe to this faith believe the mainstream Mormon Church has strayed badly by renouncing polygamy to gain acceptance within its home country. The modern Mormon Church has nothing to do with the fundamentalists and denounces the violence of which many are capable. Krakauer interviewed excommunicated Mormon Fundamentalists who were willing to share the secrets of these little-known religious fanatics in America's west.\n"Under the Banner of Heaven" is a fabulously written tale that uses the brutal murder of two innocent people to explore the basis of religious fundamentalism. Krakauer attempts to answer why people proscribe to violent, domineering religious dogmas and does so in a sensitive, insightful manner. \nThis book is in no way a condemnation of the Mormon Church as a whole. The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints is the world's fastest growing religion, with over 11 million active Saints worldwide. There are currently more Mormons than Jews worldwide, and it is the first major world religion to emerge since Islam. It is also a uniquely American religion; Mormonism was born and flourished in the American West.\nI commend Krakauer for not only his insight into religious fundamentalism, but also his choice of example with which to explore it. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, much focus has been placed on the fundamentalism of Islam. However, the fact remains that each faith has extremists, and murder has been committed in the name of God, whether it were Christians, Jews, Muslims or Buddhists drawing the blade.\nBy choosing an American story and an American faith, Krakauer is able to explore the radical edge without drawing the immediate conclusion of the reader. The people he writes about aren't half a world away, rather they are in America's backyard. "Under the Banner of Heaven" is a well-written, probing tale of religious extremism and exploration into what makes it happen.\n"Under the Banner of Heaven" is published by Doubleday Books. It is available at Borders, Barnes & Noble and other local retailers. The list price is $26.