From Deseret News archives:
Author Bushman's diary of 'Rough Stone Rolling' tour is a page-turner
As a prolific American historian, a respected Columbia University professor, and a believing, practicing Mormon, Bushman seemed right for the task. He spent seven years researching and writing the book, which may yet change the Mormon intellectual landscape.
To date, 80,000 copies have been printed, which would seem to clearly indicate that both Mormons and non-Mormons are reading it.
Interestingly, Bushman kept a diary about this book project and about his speaking and signing tour last year, which has been published in a limited edition, titled, "On the Road with Joseph Smith: An Author's Diary."
The diary is possibly unparalleled an author of a recent book candidly dissecting his experiences with both Mormon and non-Mormon audiences. There are even descriptions of his own feelings of inadequacy.
This is no arrogant academic proclaiming his perfect product to the world. It is a humble, gentle man with whom we can identify, discussing feelings of anxiety, even panic and frustration over his performance at the podium and the answers he gave to difficult questions.
During a conversation by phone from his New York City home, Bushman said he was "flabbergasted" by the print run, and he wondered aloud if there is any other profession (a historian writing about the church leader he reveres) in which someone "joined professional qualifications and personal philosophy so completely."
Bushman said he enjoyed writing the diary. "It was like eating peanuts. It lures you from one page to another."
And reading it is a similar experience.
The reasons for his candor lie "partly in my age," said Bushman, who is in his 70s. "I'm not protecting anything now. I think we reach other people by opening ourselves. So I go back to who I really am rather than to use any pretense."
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