"CONVERSATIONS WITH MORMON HISTORIANS," compiled by Alexander L. Baugh and Reid L. Neilson, BYU Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, $34.99, 560 pages (nf)
Interviews were collected on the lives and works of 16 prominent Mormon historians between 2001 and 2012, with the thought that someday they would be collected into a volume of essays.
That day has arrived in the publication of "Conversations with Mormon Historians," a new offering from Deseret Book and the Religious Studies Center at BYU.
Some of the featured historians have passed away since their interviews, but others are still producing new works in the arenas of Mormon, Utah and Western history.
All 16 names would be familiar to those involved in Mormon history, but some of the more prominent historians featured in the book are Richard L. Anderson; Richard Bushman, author of Joseph Smith's biography "Rough Stone Rolling"; historian Claudia Bushman, who is married to Richard Bushman; Robert J. Matthews, who was instrumental in obtaining the Joseph Smith Translation for use by the LDS Church; and Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, who received a Pulitzer Prize for her book "A Midwife's Tale" in 1991. One, Charles S. Peterson, is interviewed by his son, John A. Peterson, who is a respected historian in his own right.
The interviews feature photographs, information on their early lives, schooling (which is extensive in all cases), employment and projects they have been involved in. Several are assisting with the Joseph Smith Papers project, which will represent years, if not decades, of work before it's completed. The interviewers are also historians of high caliber.
They've spoken frankly about the challenges they've faced — often in connection with a movement known as New Mormon History, in which a new openess and candor in dealing with the LDS Church's history is being employed. But despite bumpy roads on this journey, these historians have seen their faith strengthened by their close association with the church's past.
The stories of the female historians in the book are especially enjoyable, as they describe balancing busy family lives with obtaining advanced degrees and the scholarly work that followed.
Each interview contains remembrances that are inspirational and remarkable.
Margot Hovley is the author of the novels "Sudden Darkness" and "Glimmering Light." Her self-reliance blog is at mynewoldschool.com, and she blogs about her writing adventures at margothovley.com.