In 1857, President Buchanan ordered US troops to Utah to replace Brigham Young as governor and restore order in the territory. Bigler, former director of the Utah Board of State History, and Bagley, an independent historian of the West, use long-suppressed sources to show that, contrary to common perceptions, the Mormon rebellion was not the result of Buchanan's 'blunder,' nor was it a David-and-Goliath tale in which an abused religious minority heroically defied the unjust government. The authors argue that Mormon leaders fully intended to establish an independent nation in the West. Primary sources analyzed include territorial militia records and the papers of Brigham Young. The authors seek to provide a more factual basis for considering the causes and consequences of this confrontation, and to shed light on the mistakes the American republic made when it first wrestled with theocracy. B&w historical photos and maps are included. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)