The Bishop's Horse Race

Soderberg Series #1

by Blaine M. Yorgason

An unusual horse race, plural marriage, and first love figure into the life of a Mormon bishop's son, living in Utah Territory in 1888.

Genres: Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Historical Fiction, Historical, Religion, Humor

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1979

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

[Hazel Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My brother had me read a chapter of this book and it made me laugh so much I went back and read the whole thing.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another family book we listened to while traveling. This story is worth it!
I love how Blaine and Brenton added lessons on modesty and virtue, courage and sacrifice, and especially what happens when you let pride push you into a race you have no business being in.

The authors also share what life has like for the LDS polygamist when the government came to take fathers, land, property away from the church and it's members

I appreciated the talks the father has with his son and the little lessons shared. This book is a gem to have for your family. I can see us listing once a year.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little-known LDS author (probably cause he doesn't write romance) writes this Twain-y comedic adventure about life during the time of the polygamists in Utah. Great fun!

The first time I remember laughing out loud.

[Sarah Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) My choir director read this to us while we drove through the country, which greatly increased my opinion of it because he was excellent at reading out loud, better than most audiobook readers. I enjoyed it, it was funny and entertaining, I’m not sure when it was written but it did still seem to be pushing plural marriage lol.

[Amandalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars. I was super annoyed often as I listened to the book. The premise and ideas of the characters were just too much at times. There were some good and intriguing parts b it not enough to overcome how annoyed I was.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for Christmas when I was 12 or 13. A combination of history, silliness, seriousness and humor—I read it so much I broke the hardcover. The research is so well-done, I used it for a reference in a paper for US History in high school.

[Gena Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than expected with some of the Yorgason's signature themes, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Action, a good plot, characters you can relate to, a hint of help from the world beyond, and a healthy dose of gospel teaching and you have a winning combination.

[Abby Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looooved this book! It was humorous, fun, and it was a great break from life. I enjoyed this sooo much! I recommend this to anyone and everyone!!

[Miriam Scoresby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very amusing and funny, laughed out loud. It deals with some heavier topics though, definitely for older children.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious story!

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK LDS novel. Don't remember much.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many idioms.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the getting to know the characters in it. I loved the way Hyrum was developed throughout the story. It had a lot of humor and overall, it was a really fun book to read. I loved how Yorgason incorporated life lessons about virtue, love, and pride in this book. It was very exciting and I loved the adventure that happened throughout the book. It was a great read and it is definitely worth a reread.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the young narrator and the way he describes things, similar to Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. However, there's a whole section on what it's like for his polygamist dad to be married to three women that is unnecessary and takes away from the rest of the story. The thing I disliked the most about this book is that he contemplates suicide in detail. There are lessons thrown in about lust vs love and the risk of too much kissing. A theme of this book is that trials are a special blessing from the Lord so we can learn what we need to.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining novel of the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as seen through the eyes of a somewhat insecure teenage boy. Good reading, especially for the gentle humor poked at some of the traditions (not doctrines) of the members, and for the heartwarming scenes of relationship building and soul saving.

[Cnelsonquilt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun book. It is not the first time but a reread and very much worth it. A lot of sound counsel and advice as well as a peek into early Mormon life and the perils of polygamy when it became illegal. Delight characters with a sense of humor. This is also a good young adult book. It is told through the eyes of a 14 yr old boy.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, so the first 100 pages or so of this book is really good. I give it a five. But then it gets really boring and predictable. So I stopped reading it. I have this disease where I can't keep reading a book unless it holds my attention.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. I found the history of the Mormons very interesting and how the book maps out for you what the United Startes, especially the terriotry of Utah was like during this particular time covered by the book.

[Jamie Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really just liked this. A look into growing up in an early mormon polygamous family. The story was fun and exciting, (perfect for boys) and I loved how it teaches values without being preachy. Highly recommend to everyone, especially a good read aloud to older children.

[Ranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely hilarious! I can't remember when I read it though-- it must have been some time during the dark years.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very funny. I enjoyed the insight into another time

[Analee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one because of Dennis. It does mention Santaquin. . . as a brothel town.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish someone would make this into a movie...I always saw Slim Pickins as the Sheriff...ha ha

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh. It is a light, fun read that was a change of pace. I borrowed this book from Pat Orr.

[Skedatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone gave this to me a long time ago and I finally got around to reading it. I liked it more than I thought I would.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books I read when I was a kid are going to get rated so much higher than books I read now! I remember loving this. Thus the 5 stars.

[Spencer F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. Light entertainment with a bit of history and definitely fiction. This is a great book for youth. A fast read and was enjoyable to read.

[Bryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My father-in-law liked this book and lent it to me to read. It was a fun read.

[J.R. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful historical information in this book. Like the standards set for the youth and how the leaders should handle themselves at all times. This book should be shared with every youth I know.