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The Polygamist King: A True Story of Murder, Lust, and Exotic Faith in America
The astonishing story of James Strang—a religious rebel who became a figure of curiosity, sympathy, and murderous hatred.
James Strang was a lawyer, a newspaper editor, and a failed politician, before he found his true calling as a self-declared Mormon prophet. Following the shocking murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, Strang lost a power struggle to Brigham Young. He went on to form a dissident sect and build a personal theocracy on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan.
Strang was one of the most colorful people of his time—a political boss who called himself a king, a cult leader who proclaimed himself a prophet, and a con man who tricked his way to power. At first, many of his followers shared his fierce opposition to polygamy. By the time of his death, however, Strang had five wives, four of them pregnant.
This compelling historical narrative delivers a remarkable tale of gothic drama and high tragedy, full of sex, violence, pride, fanaticism, and conspiracy.
John J. Miller—“one of the best literary journalists in the country” according to the Chronicle of Higher Education—is the author of several books, including The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football and The First Assassin, a thriller set during the Civil War. He runs the journalism program at Hillsdale College and writes for National Review and the Wall Street Journal. He lives on a dirt road in rural Michigan.
Cover design by Adil Dara.
James Strang was a lawyer, a newspaper editor, and a failed politician, before he found his true calling as a self-declared Mormon prophet. Following the shocking murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, Strang lost a power struggle to Brigham Young. He went on to form a dissident sect and build a personal theocracy on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan.
Strang was one of the most colorful people of his time—a political boss who called himself a king, a cult leader who proclaimed himself a prophet, and a con man who tricked his way to power. At first, many of his followers shared his fierce opposition to polygamy. By the time of his death, however, Strang had five wives, four of them pregnant.
This compelling historical narrative delivers a remarkable tale of gothic drama and high tragedy, full of sex, violence, pride, fanaticism, and conspiracy.
John J. Miller—“one of the best literary journalists in the country” according to the Chronicle of Higher Education—is the author of several books, including The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football and The First Assassin, a thriller set during the Civil War. He runs the journalism program at Hillsdale College and writes for National Review and the Wall Street Journal. He lives on a dirt road in rural Michigan.
Cover design by Adil Dara.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2015
67 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
John J. Miller
49 books23 followersJohn J. Miller writes for National Review, the Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. He is the author of The First Assassin, a historical thriller, plus several works of nonfiction. He is a contributing editor of Philanthropy magazine and a consultant to grantmaking foundations. The Chronicle of Higher Education has called him “one of the best literary journalists in the country.”
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews
December 27, 2015
A fair enough view of Mormonism from an outsider, though that was not the subject of the book. If this is a fair representation of James Strang too, then this is likely the man who anti-Mormons would like to represent as Joseph Smith. But can't.
February 11, 2016
I find it fascinating how new faiths are born and how people are so happy to follow them. how can someone just add a new book to the Bible?
March 2, 2017
This was the longest 46 pages I've ever read. The title reeled me in, murder! lust! exotic faith! It was very dry and I'm disappointed.
May 21, 2017
Interesting character, story feels rushed
It may be due to their being very little source material on the subject, but the story felt a little rushed and jumped around a bit. Interesting read, but was not a big fan of the writing style.
It may be due to their being very little source material on the subject, but the story felt a little rushed and jumped around a bit. Interesting read, but was not a big fan of the writing style.
June 24, 2017
Interesting read about a man determined to lead and people looking for something to follow.
Very interesting quick read about JJ Strang and his destiny with greatness (in his mind anyway). Would have liked a bit more detail about his offspring and what became of them.
Very interesting quick read about JJ Strang and his destiny with greatness (in his mind anyway). Would have liked a bit more detail about his offspring and what became of them.
January 3, 2025
Nice read
As a student at Hillsdale I was excited to read this. I previously had no knowledge of Mr Strange although I was vaguely familiar with Jonathan Smith and Brigham Young. This text was well written and flowed nicely.
As a student at Hillsdale I was excited to read this. I previously had no knowledge of Mr Strange although I was vaguely familiar with Jonathan Smith and Brigham Young. This text was well written and flowed nicely.
August 17, 2017
Interesting information.
July 13, 2018
Really interesting true story in the history of Michigan. I wish it was a little more detailed in some places but the brevity does make for a very fast read that never gets bogged down.
November 29, 2019
Interesting read
Love beaver island and this is a great overview of a fascinating person from history. Shirt and sweet. Highly recommended.
Love beaver island and this is a great overview of a fascinating person from history. Shirt and sweet. Highly recommended.
March 25, 2017
A very dry read.
February 18, 2017
very interesting but could have used more detail. it may not be possible to find the details given the time, but there appears to be holes in the story.
February 1, 2016
This is a history of the evolution of a part of the Mormon Religion. Some might want to read it because they have an interest in Mormon religion in general. Some readers may be caught by parts of the title “murder, lust, exotic religion.” Some readers may remember that they almost had a chance to vote for a presidential candidate who occupies high office in a group that believes in magic underwear. Then there is the fascination from people like me who cannot imagine there are so many folks who do not start their day out with a cup of coffee.
For those who are just interested in the “weird”, this is not the book for you. This is a well researched and clearly presented history of the efforts of a few egotistical and possibly aberrant people who managed to impose their beliefs on a mass far more vulnerable and gullible than themselves.
For those who are just interested in the “weird”, this is not the book for you. This is a well researched and clearly presented history of the efforts of a few egotistical and possibly aberrant people who managed to impose their beliefs on a mass far more vulnerable and gullible than themselves.
October 5, 2016
If you're looking for an entertaining and informative read on an important period of American History, especially the Great Lakes Area, you're in for a treat. The Polygamist King affords the reader a wonderful insight into the psychological elements of polygamy, as well as the political back-lash against the original founders, and King George himself in upper Michigan. I strongly recommend this book for students of history and/or social-political and philosophical understanding of a critical stage in history.
January 20, 2016
Interesting but could have gone into more detail about some beliefs and terms. Could have expanded on how this relates to modern religion. The idea of relating this to today didn't come until the very end when it should have been suggested at the beginning and expanded on throughout. It's pretty bare and gives only facts with no flourishes although it offers opinion in many other areas so a use of adjectives could have certainly helped make this less bland.
June 26, 2016
Another Branch of Mormonism
I had never heard of this branch of Mormonism. This was a very readable scholarly work that served to highlight the never ending problem of democracy and religious freedom. Much of what happened in the mid nineteenth could sadly read for what happens today. We never seem to learn from other peoples mistakes!
I had never heard of this branch of Mormonism. This was a very readable scholarly work that served to highlight the never ending problem of democracy and religious freedom. Much of what happened in the mid nineteenth could sadly read for what happens today. We never seem to learn from other peoples mistakes!
December 21, 2015
Grifters of the Past
An interesting book on one of the stranger religious phenomenon the United States… Pun intended. It leaves you wanting more but also wondering if there is any more to it. Sadly, the church is still infected with such religious grifters.
An interesting book on one of the stranger religious phenomenon the United States… Pun intended. It leaves you wanting more but also wondering if there is any more to it. Sadly, the church is still infected with such religious grifters.
January 1, 2016
Short, sweet and interesting.
An interesting historical review of the beginnings of Mormonism. I didn't give it a higher rating only because it was short and factual, nothing more than that.
An interesting historical review of the beginnings of Mormonism. I didn't give it a higher rating only because it was short and factual, nothing more than that.
January 5, 2016
This quite short introduction to an odd 1850s splinter sect of Mormonism run by the rather megalomaniacal James Strang is clearly written and appears reasonably balanced. However, the majority of the content appears to have been drawn from secondary sources.
January 6, 2016
Not interestingly
It is a book of facts with no direct story line. I found it to be boring and tedious. I would not recommend this book to any of my associate's who share my same
interest.
It is a book of facts with no direct story line. I found it to be boring and tedious. I would not recommend this book to any of my associate's who share my same
interest.
January 22, 2016
This book is a quick look into the history of Mormonism and it's differing sects. The book is written in a clear informational manor. The style of writing never pulled me in and the story didn't seem important. An overall interesting footnote of Mormon history.
April 12, 2016
First book completion of the year! The Polygamist King by John J. Miller explores the life of James Strang, a less well known Mormon leader and the early days of the LDS church outside of Utah. Worth the quick 46 pages to explore an uniquely American church and historic figures.
January 26, 2016
Rise and fall of a lunatic
This is an interesting vignette about a religious lunatic and created a cult. It's a fascinating look at the early Mormon church. Miller tells the story factually and with verve.
This is an interesting vignette about a religious lunatic and created a cult. It's a fascinating look at the early Mormon church. Miller tells the story factually and with verve.
February 14, 2016
Fascinating
This book was such an interesting read, I read it all in one sitting! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of strange and elusive people and religions.
This book was such an interesting read, I read it all in one sitting! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of strange and elusive people and religions.
May 14, 2025
An unusual story with a lot going on, but it didn’t really grab me. The subject is unique, and there’s definitely drama, but it felt more like a list of events than something that pulled me in. Interesting in parts, but hard to stay invested.
December 10, 2015
Fascinating true tale that is stranger than fiction.
December 30, 2015
Very interesting for a short biography. A good introduction.
December 28, 2015
Entertaining
An engaging and informative read. It presents quite an interesting episode of Michigan history I've never heard of before with clarity.
An engaging and informative read. It presents quite an interesting episode of Michigan history I've never heard of before with clarity.
December 29, 2015
A quick but fascinating read about a very weird episode in American history. Honestly left me wishing for more.
January 9, 2016
Interesting stuff. A part of history I ever heard before.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews