From Deseret News archives:
2 books, DVD might fill bill as LDS gifts
"The Skousen Book of Mormon World Records," by Paul B. Skousen (Cedar Fort, 480 pages, $19.95), is an amusing collection of quick-read items for and about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a scrapbook of LDS folk who have gained notoriety, both in and outside the church.
Despite the title and format, the book doesn't really stick to world records, though there are many of those. It's actually a goofy potpourri of supposed records, celebrity profiles, news-of-the-weird, etc., gathered in, more or less, People magazine-style.
Skousen writes each brief item in a cheeky, I'm-not-really-taking-this-seriously tone (note how he got "Book of Mormon" in the book's title).
But one aspect does make me suspicious of its credibility he quotes me! From a Deseret News article about Mormon characters in movies. (And I actually think he misquotes me at one point, but I won't quibble. Hey, I've been known to misquote myself.)
Among the items Skousen has collected:
A number of sports records, some familiar (Johnny Miller, Harmon Killebrew, Gene Fullmer) and others not so well-remembered.
The usual suspects: Laraine Day, the Osmonds, Ken Jennings.
And wacky entries that are probably included just because they're wacky . . . the "proselyting hamster," anyone?
And you do have to wonder about a book that cites so many vague Internet sites as sources, not to mention an author who cites himself as a source!
But, hey, I don't think Skousen intends this to be an academic, authoritative work. It's just meant to be fun. And as such, it succeeds.
When I went out looking for Skousen's book, I stumbled across another one that made me laugh out loud just seeing it on the shelf: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism" (Alpha, 314 pages, $18.95).
This isn't a spoof. It's a genuine entry in the "Idiot's Guide" series, which, to my surprise, also includes "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Catholicism" and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism," among others.
Comments
- George lost in rivalry hatefest 1:33 a.m.
- Paul returns after being out 1:04 a.m.
- Nets finally win 1:04 a.m.
- Olympus downs Box Elder 1:03 a.m.
- Saint Mary's next for Aggies 1:03 a.m.
- Cougars look to bounce back 1:03 a.m.
- Battle goes to PG's Hamson 1:03 a.m.
- Snow hopes to snap bowl game skid 1:03 a.m.
- U.S. gets favorable World Cup draw 1:03 a.m.
- Utah's Wynn healing up 1:03 a.m.
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- 5A high school football All-State
- 4A high school football: All-State
- Miller predicted Tiger's rough road
- Utah Jazz going green with unis
- Nutty Putty Cave to be sealed today
- Harpring's NBA career is over
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- Jazz: Miles, Kirilenko to play Friday
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
410 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
294 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
237 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
185 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
118 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
118 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
104
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