Prophet's Prey

Today's Nonfiction post is on Prophet's Prey by Sam Brower. It is 323 pages long including an index. It is published by Bloomsbury. The intended reader is someone who is interested in the story behind the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints or FLDS. The cover is a beautiful scene with the mountains of Colorado in the distance and two women with their backs to the camera in long dresses. There is some language, some graphic descriptions of the rapes that happened, and talk of violence. Be warned. The book is told in two ways first talking about what was going on inside the FLDS ranches and homes; then from Brower as he collected data about them. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the book jacket- From the private investigator who cracked open the case that led to the arrest of Warren Jeffs, the maniacal prophet of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Latter- Day Saints (FLDS), comes the compelling, horrifying story of how a rogue sect used sex, money, and power disguised under a façade of religion to further criminal activities and a madman’s vision.
Despite considerable press coverage and many lengthy legal battles, the full story remained largely untold. Only one man can reveal the whole, astounding truth: private investigator Sam Brower, who devoted years of his life to breaking open the secret practices of the FLDS and bringing Jeffs and his inner circle to justice. In Prophet’s Prey, Brower implicates Jeffs in his own words, bringing to light the contents of Jeffs personal priesthood journal, discovered in a hidden underground vault, and reveals to readers the shocking inside world of FLDS members whose trust he earned and who showed him the staggering truth of their lives.
Prophet’s Prey  offers the gripping, behind-the-scnes account of a bizarre world from the only man who knows the full story.

Review- This was an interesting book but I had some problems with it. I understand that Brower spent seven years of his life involved with the FLDS and its people but some things I just did not believe. Like at one point he said that he was doubtful about the woman who was calling pretending to be a 15 year old girl being raped daily. I remember when that news story broke and no one was doubtful. Everyone from the federal government to the average person just like me believed it. But when he was talking about all the details about the FLDS and their daily life I did believe him. Brower does not always go into details about all the horrors that women and children endure in the FLDS culture but he does not sugar-coat them either. He does a good balancing act of truth but protecting both the reader and the person that it happened it. As you are reading the book you can feel Brower’s frustration with the legal system and how it has failed to protect and even to help people. But be warned- this book is not for those with a weak stomach. Bad things that are real are talked about in this book. I had to read it in pieces because of that.

 

I give this book a Four out of Five Stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.