To many a Mormon the great Civil War was not the War between the States but the bitter controversy with the federal government in the 1850’s. Here for the first time is the fascinating and unbiased account of the Latter-day Saints’ battle to live a life of their own choosing, politically and religiously, and the Government’s retaliatory effort to protect and enforce federal laws. This long controversy, beginning decades before the climax in 1857, is fully detailed.   "With urbanity, wit and a cool judicial sense, Norman F. Furniss . . . has reconstructed a tragi-comic episode in American history, the 'Mormon War' of 1857-58. . . . Exciting reading. His vignettes of both Mormon and non-Mormon figures are brilliantly etched."—New York Times.