No, Ma'am, That's Not History

No, Ma'am, That's Not History is a 1946 scholarly critique by Hugh Nibley responding to Fawn M. Brodie's biography of Joseph Smith. The 62-page monograph addresses what Nibley identifies as methodological flaws and inconsistencies in Brodie's work No Man Knows My History. The text examines Brodie's historical approach and challenges her interpretation of source materials regarding Joseph Smith's life and character. Nibley's analysis focuses on the author's selective use of testimonies and what he considers to be problematic assumptions in her biographical narrative. The work sparked significant discussion in academic and religious circles, particularly among Mormon scholars and historians. Originally published as a monograph, it was later reissued as a pamphlet in 1959 and gained widespread readership in Utah. The book represents an early example of the ongoing scholarly debate about historical methodology in religious biography and the challenges of balancing academic analysis with faith perspectives.

Readers view this book as a direct response to Fawn Brodie's "No Man Knows My History," with most seeing it as a passionate but brief defense of Joseph Smith. Several Mormon readers note it helped strengthen their faith, while non-Mormon readers often find it too dismissive of Brodie's work. Readers appreciated: - Quick, accessible read - Clear writing style - Strong scholarly citations - Effective point-by-point rebuttal format Common criticisms: - Too short to fully address Brodie's claims - Tone can be sarcastic and confrontational - Some arguments feel dated by modern standards - Limited scope beyond direct response to Brodie Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) Deseret Book: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) One reader noted: "Nibley's wit makes this entertaining, but his brevity leaves you wanting more substantial counterarguments." Another mentioned: "The academic rigor is impressive for its time, despite the occasional snark."

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🔍 Hugh Nibley wrote this response just months after Brodie's biography was published, demonstrating the immediacy and intensity of the academic debate surrounding Joseph Smith's life story. 📚 The title "No, Ma'am, That's Not History" became iconic in Mormon scholarly circles and is often referenced as an example of the tension between secular and religious historical approaches. ✍️ Fawn Brodie was Joseph Smith's great-great-niece, adding a personal dimension to her controversial biographical work "No Man Knows My History." 🎓 Nibley, a professor at Brigham Young University, was known for his mastery of ancient languages and could read Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, and Egyptian, which he often incorporated into his scholarly defenses of Mormonism. 🗣️ The debate between Brodie and Nibley represented a larger mid-20th century discussion about whether religious history should be approached through naturalistic or faith-based perspectives.