Vanquishing the Mormon Menace

A review of Mason, Patrick Q. The Mormon Menace: Violence and Anti‑Mormonism in the Postbellum South. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. pp. 252 + xi, including notes and index.

Abstract: Patrick Mason has offered a fascinating look at the history of nineteenth century anti-Mormonism in the American South with his 2011 volume The Mormon Menace: Violence and Anti-Mormonism in the Postbellum South. Situating nineteenth century Southern anti-Mormonism in its historical context, Mason narrates a vivid account of how Mormons at times faced violent opposition that stemmed from deep cultural, religious, and political differences with mainstream American Protestants. Mason’s volume is an excellent resource for those interested in Mormon history.