Book Notices

Quest for Refuge: The Mormon Flight from American Pluralism

By MARVIN S HILL (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989. xxiv+288 pp. $19.95.)

In this stimulating book Marvin Hill looks at the early years of Mormonism and finds that the religious and political developments of the Mormon story before their exodus to Utah reflected a rejection of the basic American idea of pluralism and early nineteenth-century American society. This rejection of pluralism and the attempt to establish religious, political, economic, and social unity brought Joseph Smith and his followers into conflict with their neighbors and created internal tensions that made the history of early Mormonism so violent and chaotic.

Although the Utah period is not covered, it is noted that the continued rejection of pluralism and secularism was a fundamental reason for the exodus to Utah Brigham Young would continue to pursue the ideal of unity there, insisting, "I will not have divisions & contentions" (p. 179). Ultimately, even though the ideal of unity remained, Mormonism surrendered to the practicality of pluralism and by 1907 " Mormons would become a somewhat grudgingly accepted denomination among many, thus enabling them to make their own distinctive contribution to the pluralism that nurtures American freedom" p. 182).

Morgan County School Buildings: An Illustrated History.

Compiled by MORGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Morgan, Ut: Morgan County Historical Society, 1989 xiv+ 155 pp.)

This volume is described as an illustrated history of the school buildings in Morgan County and contains nearly a hundred photographs and illustrations documenting education in the Morgan area from the first log school buildings to the present-day facilities.

Despite the emphasis on an illustrated history, the volume includes a strong narrative history divided into seven parts that examine the early history of Morgan Valley and the establishment of community schools; the early elementary school system; consolidation of schools that led to the abandonment of community schools and the construction of a central elementary school; the establishment of Morgan High School in 1908 which followed the operation of Morgan Stake Academy by the LDS church between 1888 and 1904; the establishment of the Middle School in the 1970s; auxiliary buildings, including administrative offices, school bus garages and shops, a food canning center, utilities, and school grounds; and a list of school superintendents and a chronology of events in the history of the school buildings and education.

The book provides an interesting overview of the development of education in one Utah county from pioneer times to the present.

Geronimo and the End of the Apache Wars.

Edited by C. L SONNICHSEN.(Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990 v+ 136 pp Paper, $6.95.)

First published in 1986 by the Arizona Historical Society, this paperback reprint commemorates one of the most significant events in the history of the Southwest—the surrender of Naiche, the hereditary Chirichahua chief, and Geronimo, the Apache shaman and war leader, to Gen. Nelson A. Miles on the Mexican border on September 4, 1886 It was the end of an era for both whites and Indians. The documents and articles included herein shed light on the personalities and events that changed the course of Arizona history Perhaps the most interesting of these is editor Sonnichsen's retrospective piece "From Savage to Saint A New Image for Geronimo."

Myths and Legends of the Sioux.

By MARIE L MCLAUGHLIN.(Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990 200 pp Paper, $6.95.)

Originally published in 1916, these stories were told to the author by her mother, who was half Sioux and half Scot, and by other tribal elders in the Wabasha, Minnesota, area, part of Indian country when the author was born there in 1842 The thirty-eight pieces in this collection are rich in humor, animal lore, other worldly encounters, wisdom, and insight