At All Hazards

by Blaine M. Yorgason

Book by Yorgason, Blaine M.

Genres: Lds

628 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Blaine M. Yorgason was born in Sanpete County, Utah. He attended Brigham Young University and received both a BA and MA in History. Blaine and his wife Kathleen have 7 children and numerous grandchildren.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a difficult challenge for me to read this book, and continue reading it. As it became apparent that it was historical fiction, I STILL wanted sources so that I could separate fact from fiction! There were no endnotes, footnotes or bibliography so that I could sort it all out.

I was quite concerned about Eliza's perspective in the early part of the book, where she constantly put her husband down. I was glad she finally resolved this, since it was affecting everyone in the traveling company. And 'hon bun' grated me the whole way through.

Lastly, I found the native perspective concerning. In fact, I didn't want to even read it. I haven't determined why, yet.

Still, the book details a commitment to follow prophetic direction, even in difficult circumstances. The experiences seem to drag on and on, which, I'm sure is realistic to the trek but avoidable in telling the story. I was soooo happy to read of the safe arrival of Billy and Eliza's young one.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Lund's Undaunted a few years ago and learned a lot about my Hole-in-the-Rock ancestors (or re-learned). I typically enjoy Yorgason's books more than Lund's, so I don't know how I missed reading this one many years before Undaunted, but it was good to get another perspective on the impossible trail those pioneers took. They were truly amazing! Someday I hope to be able to go to the trail and see it for myself (one of my aunts could still take me there). Only strong faith and sheer force of will could have pushed them on through impossible odds to build that road through "the worst country God forgot to create."

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Good story.

[Janet Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read some of this book about 10 years ago, but I don't think I finished it. Now that I'm emeshed in Hole-in-the-rock history, I went back and read it. The things I liked about Yorgason's book, compared to Gerald Lund's , is that it gave a better picture of the difficulty of each of the major geographic barriers the pioneers had to surmount. We see most of this through the eyes of two fictional characters, Eliza and Billy Foreman. The rest of the people in the story are actual pioneers, though their thoughts and dialogue are fabricated to fit the story. I found them very believable based upon research I had done Jan-April 2010.

There was lots of family history about most of those on the trek, that I learned while reading-- this verified Yorgason's diligence in research. Some I initially questioned and did follow up research which confirmed that what he wrote was true. One I remember was the fact that the Pace family had four children die (2-8 years old) within a month of leaving for San Juan. What hard times these pioneers dealt with, and yet kept their commitment to their Church and to their God.

The only thing I found distracting was the abundance of mini-sermons via Billy and Eliza as she wrestled with her repentance--which was badly needed. But it over-kill and I found myself skipping most of these by the time I hit the last 70 or so pages. I found the book truthful, and richly embedded with actual events and history. I plan to read the other 2 in the series.

If you want to learn more about this event in history and the pioneers who were there, visit these sites.
http://trekholeintherock.blogspot.com/
http://childrenoftherock.blogspot.com/
http://hardrockpoetry.blogspot.com

[Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book corroborates the inspiration that prompted the Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers to do what they did even though their journey was in almost every sense "impossible." The continued, growing unity among this group of people is evidence of inspiration and personal revelation.
I have read several books and stories about this epic of Western American history, and this book more than any other clearly showed that the last 19 miles to Montezuma Fort just could not be done. I had wondered at times why, after all their unbelievable accomplishments, didn't they finish the intended journey. So we have two villages in South San Juan County -- Montezuma and Bluff. Even though it is stated that the name Bluff was chosen representing the steep high bluff or cliff(s) on the north of the City, it still seems to me that the name represented the hope to bluff the Indians and outlaws.
Considering the emotional and spiritual trials of the ficticious couple who are the center of the story, it is clear that the author intended to teach the significance of becoming at peace with God. The Navajos strived for ho'zyo' -- balance in the universe. As circumstances develop in the San Juan country there are examples of opposite extremes -- persons living unselfishly with integrity and true happiness as compared to some concerned only about themselves leading to disgusting filth and misery with emotional instability.
The courage and faith of the Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers has and probably always will be a significant influence making the world a better place.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to learn about the pioneers who were called to settle the San Juan in Southern Utah. I had no idea of what they went through to create the Hole in the Rock and the rest of the trail. The author includes a comprehensive appendix that tells about each character--most of whom were real people. There is also a lot of interesting and thought provoking doctrine discussed. The main characters cried a little too much for my taste, but the story of these pioneers was incredible.

[Danni · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that this book was way longer than it should have been. It had three groups of people who never met in the first book. I don't think that I am going to finish the series and I don't think I enjoyed it as much as undaunted. It was on the same topic.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sad while reading Gerald Lund's "The Undaunted" I was reminded of this book-the first in a series that also fails in telling the story of a group of pioneers who went trekking to a place even Wal-Mart today fears to tred! It's just not a very interesting story.

[Katina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't rate this book objectively. I love the idea of Mormon historical fiction but the details just drug on and on. I like how Yorgason testified of gospel truths, however a lot of it was repetitive

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series features some settlers sent to colonize southern Utah.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Indian Mission" Missionaries carve a roadway out of the rock going to San Juan County Utah. Impossible but they did it. And a great story of the Indians in that area.

[Beve · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! couldn't wait to get the next book.

[Nadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a hard time getting into it; about half way through, I started skip reading. Won't read the rest of the series.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for history buffs of the LDS genere.