Reviews
"A captivating account of a massive public relations effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... an important part of Mormon scholarship. It is a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand Mormon public relations.--Deseret News "Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than their distinctive system of belief."--Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "In Exhibiting Mormonism, Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century."--Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author of Setting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories "The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition to American citizenship."--Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University ""...an excellent case-study...."--Blair Dee Hodges, Association for Mormon Letters "Lucidly written and engaging, Neilson's work addresses multiple scholarly fields from American religious history to gender and women's studies...Neilson will surely produce many more insightful studies."--Journal of Illinois History, "[An] important new book."--Mormon Studies Review"Neilson's volume adds to the body of scholarship on Mormonism by addressing a previously neglected subject." --BYU Studies Quarterly"Accessible...the story [Neilson] tells provides important clues into the origins of modern Mormonism." --American Historical Review"A captivating account of a massive public relations effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... an important part of Mormon scholarship. It is a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand Mormon public relations." --Deseret News"Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than theirdistinctive system of belief." --Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis"In Exhibiting Mormonism, Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century." --Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author ofSetting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories"The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition toAmerican citizenship." --Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University""...an excellent case-study...." --Blair Dee Hodges, Association for Mormon Letters"Lucidly written and engaging, Neilson's work addresses multiple scholarly fields from American religious history to gender and women's studies...Neilson will surely produce many more insightful studies." --Journal of Illinois History"...Neilson brings a new and unknown dimension of Mormon history into view. He also makes a com- pelling case for the Chicago World's Fair as a threshold moment for Mormonism's social standing and in the development of its public voice." --Nova Religio, "[An] important new book."--Mormon Studies Review"Neilson's volume adds to the body of scholarship on Mormonism by addressing a previously neglected subject." --BYU Studies Quarterly "Accessible...the story [Neilson] tells provides important clues into the origins of modern Mormonism." --American Historical Review "A captivating account of a massive public relations effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... an important part of Mormon scholarship. It is a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand Mormon public relations." --Deseret News "Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than their distinctive system of belief." --Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "In Exhibiting Mormonism, Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century." --Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author of Setting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories "The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition to American citizenship." --Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University "Lucidly written and engaging, Neilson's work addresses multiple scholarly fields from American religious history to gender and women's studies...Neilson will surely produce many more insightful studies." --Journal of Illinois History "...Neilson brings a new and unknown dimension of Mormon history into view. He also makes a com- pelling case for the Chicago World's Fair as a threshold moment for Mormonism's social standing and in the development of its public voice." --Nova Religio, "Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than their distinctive system of belief."--Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "InExhibiting Mormonism,Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century."--Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author ofSetting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories "The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition to American citizenship."--Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University, "Neilson's volume adds to the body of scholarship on Mormonism by addressing a previously neglected subject." --BYU Studies Quarterly "Accessible...the story [Neilson] tells provides important clues into the origins of modern Mormonism." --American Historical Review "A captivating account of a massive public relations effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... an important part of Mormon scholarship. It is a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand Mormon public relations.--Deseret News "Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than their distinctive system of belief."--Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "In Exhibiting Mormonism, Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century."--Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author of Setting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories "The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition to American citizenship."--Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University ""...an excellent case-study...."--Blair Dee Hodges, Association for Mormon Letters "Lucidly written and engaging, Neilson's work addresses multiple scholarly fields from American religious history to gender and women's studies...Neilson will surely produce many more insightful studies."--Journal of Illinois History, "Neilson's volume adds to the body of scholarship on Mormonism by addressing a previously neglected subject." --BYU Studies Quarterly "Accessible...the story [Neilson] tells provides important clues into the origins of modern Mormonism." --American Historical Review "A captivating account of a massive public relations effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... an important part of Mormon scholarship. It is a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand Mormon public relations." --Deseret News "Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than their distinctive system of belief." --Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "In Exhibiting Mormonism, Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century." --Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author of Setting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories "The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition to American citizenship." --Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University ""...an excellent case-study...." --Blair Dee Hodges, Association for Mormon Letters "Lucidly written and engaging, Neilson's work addresses multiple scholarly fields from American religious history to gender and women's studies...Neilson will surely produce many more insightful studies." --Journal of Illinois History "...Neilson brings a new and unknown dimension of Mormon history into view. He also makes a com- pelling case for the Chicago World's Fair as a threshold moment for Mormonism's social standing and in the development of its public voice." --Nova Religio, "A captivating account of a massive public relations effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... an important part of Mormon scholarship. It is a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand Mormon public relations.--Deseret News "Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than their distinctive system of belief."--Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "InExhibiting Mormonism,Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century."--Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author ofSetting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories "The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition to American citizenship."--Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University, "[An] important new book."--Mormon Studies Review "Neilson's volume adds to the body of scholarship on Mormonism by addressing a previously neglected subject." --BYU Studies Quarterly "Accessible...the story [Neilson] tells provides important clues into the origins of modern Mormonism." --American Historical Review "A captivating account of a massive public relations effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... an important part of Mormon scholarship. It is a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand Mormon public relations." --Deseret News "Neilson's account of the Utah/Mormon presence at the 1893 World's Fair shows the enormous appeal of Mormonism's secular dimensions. It also reveals how very unwelcome its religious aspects were. These are important additions to LDS history. But this work's greatest contribution is the author's observation about what LDS leaders learned in Chicago. Ever since, much more of the church's time and energy has featured 'those Amazing Mormons' rather than their distinctive system of belief." --Jan Shipps, Professor Emeritus of History and Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "In Exhibiting Mormonism, Reid Neilson offers a fascinating glimpse into both the efforts by Mormons beginning in the 1890s to represent their faith to a skeptical public, as well as to the reactions by Protestants and others to the newly public face of a growing religious movement. This vivid account expands our knowledge of the popular transformation of Mormons from heretics to patriots in the twentieth century." --Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, author of Setting Down the Sacred Past: African American Race Histories "The 1893 Columbian Exposition was Mormonism's coming out party. It launched the now massive public relations effort to make friends for the Church as well as converts. After suffering from isolation and ignominy for half a century, Mormons at last had a place in the sun. Reid Neilson tells in fascinating detail how much the Exposition meant to Mormons and the impact their participation had on visitors. This is a critical part of Mormonism's transition to American citizenship." --Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University ""...an excellent case-study...." --Blair Dee Hodges, Association for Mormon Letters "Lucidly written and engaging, Neilson's work addresses multiple scholarly fields from American religious history to gender and women's studies...Neilson will surely produce many more insightful studies." --Journal of Illinois History "...Neilson brings a new and unknown dimension of Mormon history into view. He also makes a com- pelling case for the Chicago World's Fair as a threshold moment for Mormonism's social standing and in the development of its public voice." --Nova Religio
