Based on memories of his early life, this heart-warming story of young John Fitzgerald's venturesome family is filled with a cast of rollicking characters, that includes Evangelists, gamblers, gunmen, and Indians. Papa Married a Mormon fulfills a promise John made to his mother to present a true portrayal of the courageous people in Mormon territory as he knew them.
This is my all time favorite book and I highly recommend to anyone interested in American history. A story about the old "wild west" and the people who made America the strong nation that it is today. A Catholic man falls in love with a Mormon woman and the what happens as they raise their family in Utah in the late 1860s, which had gunfights, saloon kings, and also faithful reverends, charitable women, and people whose lives changed for the better. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down. Author also wrote "Uncle Will's Saloon," a story which comes before this book, and aforementioned, "Mama's Boarding House." Both are not as good as this one, but still fun to read. Too bad they are out of print.
Wonderful story of the Mormons & Old American West
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This was and continues to be one of my all-time favorite books. Reflects an accurate picture of early Utah and taming of the early west. Great reading for any adult who enjoyed the "Great Brain" books as a child, or for any young person or advanced child reader as well. I read this book when I was around 10 or 12 years old. The love story of Papa & Mama became my model for my own grown-up love story, and it pretty much happened to me as well. A great story with strong family values as the major theme. Incidently, John D. Fitzgerald also wrote, "Mama's Boarding House," which I have yet to find as an out of print book to purchase.
An American Classic
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Papa Married a Mormon is an American Classic. It has long been one of my favorite books ever written and is recommended to anyone interested in the true Mormon story and the American West. If you've read the Great Brain books as a child, don't miss Papa Married a Mormon. Rarely do we have such a writer as John D. Fitzgerald. It's too bad that we don't have such writers as him today. An American classic.
A touching, sweet look at early Utah and its people
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
As a Mormon woman married to a Catholic man, "Papa Married a Mormon" had special significance for me. It was wonderful to see how Papa and Mamma blended their faiths in one home with respect and reverence. Their family life also served as an example to the greater community, which was brought together through the Fitzgerald family's quiet and gentle service to all. I loved this book and wish it were still in print so I could recommend it to my book club. It is an intriguing look at western history as well as a study of what it truly means to be Christian.
A rousing read in excellent prose
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
A candid look at Southern Utah before statehood and the railroad. An eastern dude travels west to find his long lost brother...and stays to help win the West. Along the way he deals with a silver mining camp, gamblers, itinerant preachers and the Mormon community. Written with savory prose and wonderful insight and historic accuracy. A book not to be missed!
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