Brigham Young comes to life in this superlative biography that presents him as a Mormon leader, a business genius, a family man, a political organizer, and a pioneer of the West.

Examining Brigham Young's legacy requires an understanding of his raw ambition and religious zeal. A formidable leader in both his church and country, Young's abilities coincided with the colonizing zeitgeist of nineteenth-century America.

" ... Richard F. Palmer and Karl D. Butler tell the compelling story of Brigham Young's experiences in New York, including his early life and conversion to Mormonism."--Inside jacket.

Brigham Young was a rough-hewn New York craftsman whose impoverished life was electrified by the Mormon faith.

Traces the life of Brigham Young, from his Vermont childhood to his rise as the leader of the Mormon Church.

After converting to Mormonism in 1832, Brigham Young (1801-77) quickly rose to prominence and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles within three years.

This book will be a vital resource for anyone seeking to understand the complex, uniquely American origins of a church that now counts over 15 million members worldwide.