saintly scoundrel, The
Book Description
Meet one of America's most fascinating and contradictory figures through this meticulously researched biography that took nine years to complete. John C. Bennett emerges as a master of reinvention whose extraordinary life defied every conventional boundary of 19th-century society.
This remarkable individual simultaneously held positions that would seem impossible for one person to manage. He served as president of medical departments at two universities while also functioning as chancellor of two others. His influence extended across at least twenty different organizations spanning agriculture, medicine, and social causes. As an itinerant minister, he preached across three separate denominations, demonstrating an unusual spiritual flexibility that characterized his entire approach to life.
Bennett's story interweaves with pivotal moments in American religious history, including his time as mayor of Nauvoo and his close association with Joseph Smith during the early Mormon movement. Yet his pursuits ranged far beyond religious circles, encompassing roles as diverse as surgeon, quartermaster general of Illinois, chicken breeder, and even promoter of the humble tomato.
What emerges is a portrait of someone who possessed an almost supernatural ability to adapt, promote, and reinvent both circumstances and himself. His capacity for dramatic shifts in allegiance and belief offers profound insights into the nature of identity, conviction, and the complex relationship between authenticity and ambition.
For readers exploring themes of personal transformation and the malleable nature of identity, Bennett's life presents both cautionary tale and fascinating study in human adaptability.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 271 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Mormons
- ✓ Explore Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- ✓ Explore Mormon Church
- ✓ Explore Horticulturists
- ✓ Explore Ex-church members
- ✓ Explore Membership
- ✓ Explore Surgeons
- ✓ Explore Mormons, biography
