W. Paul Reeve

W. Paul Reeve is a professor of history at the University of Utah and a leading scholar in Mormon studies and the American West. His research focuses on religious history, racial dynamics, and Mormon-Indigenous relations in the nineteenth-century western United States. Reeve's most notable work is "Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness" (2015), which examines how early Mormons were racialized by outsiders and their subsequent efforts to be accepted as white Americans. The book received multiple awards including the Mormon History Association's Best Book Award. His other significant publications include "Making Space on the Western Frontier: Mormons, Miners, and Southern Paiutes" and contributions to various academic journals on topics related to Utah history and Mormon studies. As the first Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Utah, he leads projects documenting historical race relations within the Mormon church. Reeve serves as project manager of the Century of Black Mormons database, a public history initiative that documents and preserves the records of Black Latter-day Saints. His current research continues to explore themes of identity, race, and religion in American history.

Readers appreciate Reeve's thorough research and balanced approach to complex historical topics. Many praise how "Religion of a Different Color" presents primary sources and archival materials to illuminate Mormon racial history. On Amazon, readers highlight his clear writing style that makes academic content accessible to general audiences. What readers liked: - Detailed documentation and extensive footnotes - Objective treatment of sensitive historical issues - Clear explanation of historical context - Connection of historical events to contemporary discussions What readers disliked: - Some found the academic tone dry in places - A few wanted more analysis of modern implications - Price point for academic press books Ratings: - "Religion of a Different Color": 4.6/5 on Amazon (87 reviews) - 4.29/5 on Goodreads (140 ratings) - "Making Space on the Western Frontier": 4.4/5 on Amazon (12 reviews) One reader noted: "Reeve handles controversial historical material with both scholarly rigor and sensitivity to modern readers." Another said: "Dense but rewarding - changed how I understand Mormon history."

Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness (2015) A historical examination of how early Mormons were racialized by American society and their subsequent efforts to be accepted as white Americans.

Making Space on the Western Frontier: Mormons, Miners, and Southern Paiutes (2006) A study of the complex interactions between Mormon settlers, miners, and Southern Paiute Native Americans in nineteenth-century Utah Territory.

Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia (2010) A comprehensive reference work covering key events, figures, and concepts in Mormon history from its origins to the present day.

Richard Bushman His work on early Mormon history, particularly "Rough Stone Rolling," covers similar themes of religious identity and social dynamics as Reeve. His research methods combine religious and social history frameworks to examine how faith communities navigate broader American society.

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Her studies of early American social history and Mormon women's experiences parallel Reeve's focus on marginalized groups within religious contexts. She examines how religious and cultural identities intersect with gender and social status in American history.

Patrick Q. Mason His research on religious violence and Mormon-outsider relations aligns with Reeve's work on religious discrimination and identity formation. His analysis of Mormon experiences in American society addresses similar questions about religious minorities and acceptance.

Colin G. Calloway His scholarship on Native American history and Euro-American relations in the American West connects with Reeve's work on Mormon-Indigenous interactions. His research examines cultural encounters and power dynamics in western frontier spaces.

David J. Weber His studies of the American Southwest and frontier regions complement Reeve's analysis of western religious and cultural development. His work explores similar themes of cultural contact and community formation in western borderlands.