About this book
Under the Prophet in Utah; the National Menace of a Political Priestcraft by Harvey Jerrold O'Higgins is a hard‑hitting investigative chronicle of religion and power in early twentieth‑century America. Drawing on the firsthand experiences of former Utah senator Frank J. Cannon and meticulous research, O'Higgins lays out how ecclesiastical authority shaped politics, economics, and daily life across the territory and beyond.
Blending history and political analysis, the book reconstructs key episodes—the Manifesto, the Smoot controversy, accusations of political priestcraft and new polygamy—and traces how church leadership and civic institutions collided. Written from primary sources, government reports, contemporary journalism, and personal testimony, the narrative explores themes of liberty, corruption, reform, and the tension between religious hierarchy and democratic governance without resorting to sensationalism.
Ideal for listeners of history and politics, this audiobook will appeal to anyone intrigued by church‑state relations, progressive era reform, and investigative political reporting. Whether you’re a student of American religious history or a curious reader seeking a rigorous account of power and protest, O'Higgins's probing study offers a stark, well‑documented portrait of a pivotal chapter in U.S. civic life.
