Secrets and Wives MP3 CD – Audiobook, May 17, 2016

I feel speechless and anything I say seems trite in comparison to how this book affected me. I am the daughter of a polygamist man. Roughly 50% of my family practices polygamy. And when I say family, I mean approximately 800 relatives on my paternal side and probably that same amount on my maternal side. I have family members in the FLDS group, the Kingston group, the AUB group, and family that live at The Rock. Most of the ones I associate with are independent fundamentalist polygamists (meaning they belong to no group). Although my husband and I chose not to practice we still maintain relationships with many of our family members. It's not always easy. I've never quite been able to verbalize what makes it so difficult until I read Mr. Bhattacharya's book. There are so many subtle nuances to these people and their beliefs and I was literally BLOWN away at how Sanjiv picked up on them. Even people that have left and written about it have not even come close to writing about the big picture like Sanjiv did. In my opinion, and I consider myself somewhat of an expert having been around it my entire life, Sanjiv's book is the most accurate depiction of the thought process and psychosis of mormon polygamists as a whole. He didn't lump them all together, but did show their common thread in a commical yet compassionate way. It's easy to look at a "Big Love," or "Sister Wives," style family and think, "Hey, it doesn't seem so bad." Individually it may not be so bad. But look at them as individuals that make up the whole and it's a different story. Sanjiv captured that explicitly!I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to really understand mormon polygamy. Even though I've been around this culture my entire life, I still couldn't put the book down!! I always dreamed of writing a book about my perspective and experiences with mormon polygamy. Sanjiv has done it for me, and may I say, BRILLIANLY!!! I can not thank him enough!

Somewhere along the line I became fascinated with these books about polygamous Mormon cults. You can read my other reviews about other books on the topic. This book approaches the topic from the angle of an investigative reporter who makes contacts with members of the groups, and tries to report objectively about the individual sects. He talks with current and former members of each group. While it's obviously not as intimate as the books written by the women who have "escaped" from these groups, his angle of an outsider looking for explanations, and his astute analysis of the personalities sheds new light on the topic.He begins the book by visiting the mainstream LDS enclave in Salt Lake City. He delves into their history, concentrating much effort on how Joseph Smith established Mormonism. It seems incredible to me that people actually bought into Joseph Smith's stories. The author brings out the policies the church had towards women and African Americans. He uncovers some history that the Mormons would rather be kept hidden away. All this makes sense. How can we hope to understand the off-shoot cults if we don't understand the LDS church.The author then begins digging into the particulars of several of the diverse Mormon cults. It turns out that whether they are the oddly dressed FLDS or the modern, can't tell by looking at them groups, they are all oppressive to women and children. Most of them revolve around a prophet who is corrupt and controlling. Patterns began to emerge showing what kind of people are drawn into these cults--women with low self esteem, people with a need to belong.Despite the often depressing subject matter the author has a wonderful wit about him. His humor is often self deprecating. I know it sounds strange to think that a book on this topic could also be funny, but trust me, it works. I enjoyed his writing style a lot, and will watch for other books that I hope he will write.I think a reader interested in the topic will still do well to read a couple of books by some of the wives, but I do recommend this book as well. It would have been nice to have some pictures, but it is understandable that these mistrustful people weren't posing for pictures.The Kindle version of the book has no navigation or text problems.

I have read many books on the subject because of my inability to understand the lifestyle. After all of that reading, I still find it quite interesting. But Mr. Bhattacharya has written a book that covers almost all of the individual fundamentalist groups, some that I had never heard of before. In some cases he writes with tongue in cheek but on the whole I think he has given a true reporting of many people involved. I will probably have to read it a second time as it is quite a read.

I have had a long interest in reading books about the strange fringe groups of bible belt America so it was only a matter of time before i picked up a book about Mormon polygamy.I was very wary about reading one of the memoirs written by people who've escaped these groups, i thought i should get an outsider's perspective on the subject first. This book is excellent for anyone wanting a fair(ish) examination on the subject. The author is a total outsider with no particular axe to grind but rather wanting to tell the complete story. Of course he has some bias (what author doesn't) but overall i thought he did an excellent job of accurately telling the story.I thought that his examination of the legal problems surrounding polygamy was very thought provoking and he pointed out that making gay marriage legal opens the door for making polygamy legal. After all, if it's wrong for the government to tell one group of consenting adults (gays) they can't get married then why is it ok for the government to tell another group of consenting adults (polygamists) they can't get married?The chapters about the Kingston group and it's insane inbreeding and pedophile practices were horrifying and i couldn't read them without getting upset and angry that young girls have their lives ruined like that.The idea that the Kingston goup's leaders are still doing this and getting away with it made me angry. Their insane plan to breed their way into power made me worried because it may yet happen.Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the subject.

I've read many books recently on this subject but this one if by far the best. The authors sense of humour seems to just add to it and makes it so much easier to swallow! If you only read one book on polygamy make it this one. I admired his bravery too at boldly going where no other gentleman of darker hue would surely dare to go. Mind you, with those looks I'm not surprised the ladies seemed so taken with him. (Get thee behind me eaten lol). None of their faith makes logical sense to me of course, its a load of old twaddle and I'm just relieved that I live in UK where what I do or wear or worship or come to that marry (black, brown, yellow, skybluepink with spots on) is acceptable and my husband is my own! Long life with every success and much happiness to the author. Thank you for your excellent book.

Fascinating, incredibly hard to put down. Not only does Sanjiv Bhattacharya try to immerse himself in mormon culture but he teaches you about the principles and beliefs that the specific sect follow.A very interesting read.

good read really enjoyed it worth reading helped in my research

It's very good and it gives some very interesting perspectives even if you're knowledgeable about the topic. I recommend it.

I did not like Secrets and Wives as it was very difficult to 'get into' due to poor writing skills. As I continued to read it didn't get any better. The author's work does not flow, but, jumps from one thing to another with poor sentences, and just a good deal of confusion. I would not recommend this book.

Very interesting book, so worth buying.