{"product_id":"american-crucifixion","title":"American Crucifixion","description":"\u003cb\u003eA gripping account of the mob killing of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“American Crucifixion paints a brilliant picture of religious experimentation, public intolerance, and the making of a martyr.”—\u003ci\u003eChicago Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On June 27, 1844, in the dusty frontier town of Carthage, Illinois, Joseph Smith and three of his associates waited anxiously in a jail cell. The dynamic founding prophet of Mormonism no longer had a congregation to preach to: Now the mob outside his window carried muskets and cartridge belts. All that stood between Smith and this murderous crowd was a thin wooden door.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In \u003ci\u003eAmerican Crucifixion\u003c\/i\u003e, Alex Beam tells how Smith went from charismatic leader to public enemy: how his most seismic revelation—the doctrine of polygamy—created a rift among his people; how that schism turned to violence; and how, ultimately, Smith could not escape the consequences of his ambition and pride.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mormonism is America’s largest and most enduring native religion, and the “martyrdom” of Joseph Smith is one of its transformational events. Smith’s brutal assassination propelled the Mormons to colonize the American West and claim their place in the mainstream of American history. \u003ci\u003eAmerican Crucifixion\u003c\/i\u003e is a gripping story of scandal and violence, with deep roots in our national identity.","brand":"PublicAffairs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41518775435442,"sku":"9781610395465","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0536\/7418\/0786\/files\/O_ebf2c176-c59b-4bb7-8dcd-1b1d4dbb192f.jpg?v=1772514112","url":"https:\/\/shop.hachettebookgroup.com\/products\/american-crucifixion","provider":"Hachette Book Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}