My friend, a trained historian, loaned me Faith and Betrayal. In it I found again the wonderful account of the journey from London to the SL valley, but the rest, at best, was sketchy in historical fact and lacking authenticity. I think that cousin Sally D. was projecting her own feminist ideology and poor understanding of Mormonism and its history into the persona of Jean Rio. The lack of further writing by Jean Rio left Denton a blank tableau onto which she could paint anything she wished. It is at least anachronistic. In F.and B. Jean Rio’s diary was a 19th century jewel surrounded in late 20th century idealogy written by someone with an axe to grind. Why else the conjecture about Brigham Young’s confiscation of Jean Rio’s prized piano as a plumb for his trophy wife?

This review fleshed out my impression of weak historicity and perhaps even mischief on the part of the Sally D. Your question regarding no peer review before the press is valid.

It is legend in our family that the crate for Jean Rio’s piano was stored in a barn somewhere in southern Utah. Since there is no mention of any piano in Jean Rio’s diary, it is reasonable to think that she didn’t bring one. Perhaps she acquired one after her arrival.

Sally D. said Jean Rio associated with the Masons in CA. Perhaps it was the only temple experience she could enjoy out of Utah. I also find it interesting that she willfully returned and spent several pleasant months intimately with William George and his polygamous families. Lastly, my perusal of new.familysearch.org does not show any possible genetic connection to the French Reign of Terror. Susanna Ann Burgess was born in 1774 so she could not have been smuggled as an infant in a wine casket. She would have been twenty years old. J. W. Griffiths may have married Ann Jarvis in 1843 who was born in 1790 and would have been four yrs old during the R of T. Perhaps Ann was the legendary survivor, but she would have been Jean Rio’s step mother.
Jeff, thanks for setting the record straight. I know it took considerable effort. My sister was much influenced by Denton’s work, so I’ll have to send this forward to her.
Bruce O.

I always meant to read at least two of the books mentioned, so will add them to the list or to the hoard of books I am building to see me through my coming year-long abstinence from almost everything but especially most growing -no digging, no lifting, no hoes, no shovels, no wheelbarrowing, hauling hoses-so almost no gardening.

Of course, I’ll have more time to keep up with Keepa (so glad it’s here Ardis!) and I hope I’ll get (I hope) a straight back out of it as well.

I sure hope that generations after I am gone one of my descendants does not publish a book and put words, thoughts, and ideas down and claim them to be mine.

How disappointing the book was. I am happy to say that one good thing came out of it though.. I was so irritated by the tone of the book that I researched on my own and read Jean’s ACTUAL words that she put into her journal. What a difference. I am proud of my ancestor and hope those who want to learn more about her find actual copies of the journal instead of reading the work of fiction that Ms. Denton wrote.

THANKS FOR YOUR REVIEW OF THE BOOK Jeff!

You pointed out that she did not research the major, relevant, readily available sources; she often misunderstands and made no effort to have her manuscript reviewed by knowledgeable experts; and she freely invents motivations, intentions and conclusions. This is precisely how she prepared at least one previous book.