The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch by Miles Harvey (review)
2023; Volume: 49; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/mhr.2023.a899869
ISSN2327-9672
Tópico(s)American Constitutional Law and Politics
ResumoReviewed by: The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch by Miles Harvey Alyssa Rosebrugh Miles Harvey. The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch. New York: Little, Brown, 2020. Pp. 416. Bibliography. Illustrations. Index. Hardcover: $29.00. In the wonderfully written The King of Confidence, Miles Harvey not only portrays James Strang perfectly, but he does so while telling a page-turning story. Harvey's mastery of Strang and this forgotten part of American/Michigan history is exciting. Strang and his Mormon followers' settlement on Beaver Island in the 1850s disrupted the natural flow of life, which lent for a turbulent eight years of Strang's self-proclaimed "kingship." Harvey not only informs the reader of Strang's exciting life, but he also gives us the history lesson we did not know we were seeking. Mormonism was waging a religious war on "normal" society and "normal" society was attempting to end Mormonism. In writing about the Burned-over District of Strang's youth in New York, Harvey provides brilliant insight into where the obscure religion began and where Strang had his first taste of Mormonism. The King of Confidence is full of historical accuracies and playful writing. Harvey does an exceptional job turning a non-fiction historical novel into a page-turner. The introduction to Mormon founder Joseph Smith was a vital part of the "king's" story. Strang was an exceptional student in the art of the con well before he met Smith. However, as his opportunity arose, his con-man path continued strong right up to his assassination in 1856. Harvey quotes from one of Strang's favorite childhood poems: "Look to thyself, priest, conqueror, or prince! Whether thy trade is falsehood." (70) Essentially, this quote allows us to understand the dreams Strang had held since childhood. However, it also leads us to believe that he failed to foresee his inevitable downfall because he was so caught up in being recognized. The need of this con artist, swindler, and religious hack to be viewed as a king was his unavoidable, destined failure. [End Page 134] After his death, Strang left behind mourning followers, wives, and children who believed him to be their savior. Elvira, one of his five wives, is quoted as saying, "I just thought he would be raised from the dead, I had that faith." (29) Her steadfast faith in her husband was exactly what he had been hoping for. By today's standards, Strang may not be someone to whom many would be willing to fall prey. Many did, and during a time of constant religious revival and a growing number of religious zealots, Strang managed to stand out. He, in turn, got everything he had hoped for: to have a following. Harvey's The King of Confidence would be an excellent book to add to a collection of someone who loves Michigan history. I wish it had been around when I was researching Strang and his Mormon kingship on Beaver Island during my undergrad years. Alyssa Rosebrugh Southern New Hampshire University Copyright © 2023 Historical Society of Michigan
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