About the Author

Richard L. Bushman was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1931. He took his B.A., M.A., and PhD. degrees at Harvard University.

Reviews

Once again, Richard Bushman, one of our finest historians, delivers a superior performance. The book is
prodigiously researched, carefully argued, and elegantly written. In its pages Joseph Smith emerges as
neither hero nor charlatan, but as a strangely gifted yet thoroughly believable product of his time and place.
Grant Wacker, author of "Heaven Below: Early Pentecostals and American Culture"
Hands down, this is the most balanced and informed study of American's larger-than-life Prophet and Seer,
Joseph Smith. It is also an important history of the founding era of Mormonism's founding era. "Rough Stone
Rolling" is for insiders and outsiders alike, a landmark in Mormon writing and a contribution to American religious
studies. It has grace, style, and intelligence-and quiet piety and frank honesty, too.
Ronald W. Walker, author of "Mormon History"
Clearly the definitive biography for generations to come. Most balanced, thorough, and insightful treatment
to date--truly a masterful work. Wonderfully grounded in its interpretations. Wise in its judgments, penetrating
in its analysis, and rich in historical and cultural detail without ever losing sight of its subject. Bushman does
full justice to this most complex and influential of all American religious innovators.
Terryl Givens, author of "The Latter-Day Saint Experience in America"
"This biography recasts the study of Joseph Smith for the next generation. Bushman, a distinguished historian
and faithful believer, legitimizes Smith as a modern prophet and seeks the measure of this enigmatic man.
The volume challenges readers to reconcile Smith's remarkable religious accomplishments with his often
seemingly self-serving personal actions."
Stephen Stein, author of "The Shaker Experience in America
"
"At last a Joseph Smith to which Mormons and non-Mormons alike can relate. Meticulously researched,
beautifully written, and gripping in its narrative detail, this is Richard Bushman at his vintage best. There
is no question that this biography is the best book ever written about Mormonism's founding father, and
America's greatest home-grown prophet."
Harry Stout, author of "The Divine Dramatist: George Whitefield and the Rise of Modern Evangelicalism"
Richard Bushman s profound scholarly knowledge of American society and culture shapes and suffuses this
magisterial product of his life-long quest to interpret the early Mormon movement for skeptics and believers alike.
His definitive biography of the Mormon prophet supersedes all previous studies hagiographic and critical of this
American original.
John F. Wilson, author of "Religion and the American Nation"
In tracing this fateful shift from seer to czar and oracle to general, Bushman earns a place for his biography on the very short shelf reserved for books on Mormonism with appeal to initiates and outsiders, too.
Walter Kirn, "The New York Times Book Review
" A fascinating, definitive biography . . . An intriguing exploration of a remarkable development in American religious history.
Jane Lampman, "The Christian Science Monitor"
Readers of this sensitive and comprehensive account will find a new and deeper understanding of Smith, the religion he founded, and the popular culture of the United States during the 39 years of his short but eventful life.
Walter Russell Mead, "Foreign Affairs
"
An astonishing achievement that is meticulously researched, wonderfully grounded and rich in cultural context.
Larry Cox, "Tucson Citizen"
A stunning accomplishment.
Carl Rollyson, "The New York Sun
"
An exceptionally well-researched book
"Choice "magazine
Amazing.
"The Spectrum
"
The must-have Mormon history of our generation.
"By Common Consent
""

"Once again, Richard Bushman, one of our finest historians, delivers a superior performance. The book is
prodigiously researched, carefully argued, and elegantly written. In its pages Joseph Smith emerges as
neither hero nor charlatan, but as a strangely gifted yet thoroughly believable product of his time and place."
--Grant Wacker, author of "Heaven Below: Early Pentecostals and American Culture"
"Hands down, this is the most balanced and informed study of American's larger-than-life Prophet and Seer,
Joseph Smith. It is also an important history of the founding era of Mormonism's founding era. "Rough Stone
Rolling" is for insiders and outsiders alike, a landmark in Mormon writing and a contribution to American religious
studies. It has grace, style, and intelligence-and quiet piety and frank honesty, too."
--Ronald W. Walker, author of "Mormon History"
"Clearly the definitive biography for generations to come. Most balanced, thorough, and insightful treatment
to date--truly a masterful work. Wonderfully grounded in its interpretations. Wise in its judgments, penetrating
in its analysis, and rich in historical and cultural detail without ever losing sight of its subject. Bushman does
full justice to this most complex and influential of all American religious innovators."
--Terryl Givens, author of "The Latter-Day Saint Experience in America"
"This biography recasts the study of Joseph Smith for the next generation. Bushman, a distinguished historian
and faithful believer, legitimizes Smith as a modern prophet and seeks the measure of this enigmatic man.
The volume challenges readers to reconcile Smith's remarkable religious accomplishments with his often
seemingly self-serving personal actions."
--Stephen Stein, author of "The Shaker Experience in America
"
"At last a Joseph Smith to which Mormons and non-Mormons alike can relate. Meticulously researched,
beautifully written, and gripping in its narrative detail, this is Richard Bushman at his vintage best. There
is no question that this biography is the best book ever written about Mormonism's founding father, and
America's greatest home-grown prophet."
--Harry Stout, author of "The Divine Dramatist: George Whitefield and the Rise of Modern Evangelicalism"
"Richard Bushman's profound scholarly knowledge of American society and culture shapes and suffuses this
magisterial product of his life-long quest to interpret the early Mormon movement for skeptics and believers alike.
His definitive biography of the Mormon prophet supersedes all previous studies-hagiographic and critical-of this
American original."
--John F. Wilson, author of "Religion and the American Nation"
"In tracing this fateful shift from seer to czar and oracle to general, Bushman earns a place for his biography on the very short shelf reserved for books on Mormonism with appeal to initiates and outsiders, too."
--Walter Kirn, "The New York Times Book Review
""A fascinating, definitive biography . . . An intriguing exploration of a remarkable development in American religious history."
--Jane Lampman, "The Christian Science Monitor"
"Readers of this sensitive and comprehensive account will find a new and deeper understanding of Smith, the religion he founded, and the popular culture of the United States during the 39 years of his short but eventful life."
--Walter Russell Mead, "Foreign Affairs
"
"An astonishing achievement that is meticulously researched, wonderfully grounded and rich in cultural context."
--Larry Cox, "Tucson Citizen"
"A stunning accomplishment."
--Carl Rollyson, "The New York Sun
"
"An exceptionally well-researched book"
--"Choice "magazine
"Amazing."
--"The Spectrum
"
"The must-have Mormon history of our generation."
--"By Common Consent
"