Recovering from the emotional damage polygamy dealt, spencer believes shattered dreams will provide the closure she needs and, she hopes, will help other plural wives to find their own freedom. In the book irene chronicles her life as the second plural wife of verlan. When thegovernment raided the fundamentalist, polygamousmormon village of short creek, arizona, irene and her family fled toverlans b. Newssentinel file photograph the kindle edition of shattered dreams restored by irene spencer of woodbridge is available from. Irene spencer did as she felt god commanded in marrying her brotherinlaw verlan lebaron, becoming his second wife at age 16. My life as a polygamists wife irene spencer, 2006 center street 400 pp.
After almost three decades of polygamy, spencer has lived the last two decades in a monogamous relationship. Irene spencer las colonias the mormon colonies in mexico. As the second of what was ultimately her husbands ten wives, she became the mother of thirteen of his 58 children. Shattered dreams is a fascinating look at a way of life totally foreign to most people. Born into a fifthgeneration polygamous family, irene was the daughter of a second wife. The audience will self reflect on their religious education seeking abuses as this memoir is heart wrenching and thought provoking. When the government raided the fundamentalist, polygamous mormon village of short creek, arizona, irene and her family fled to ver. Its an honest look at polygamy that is written as if she is sitting at the kitchen table sharing parts of her life. I loved irene s book, shattered dreams and recommend that book be read prior to this one. Just as a mormon motheris the standout memoir of a 19thcentury polygamous womans life, this autobiography offers the compelling voice of a contemporary plural wifes experiences.
With an overdrive account, you can save your favorite libraries for ataglance information about availability. My life as a polygamists wife by irene spencer 2007, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Irene spencer grew up in a fundamentalist mormon family the thirteenth of thirtyone children so it was no surprise that she found herself, at sixteen years. As the second of ten wives, she was the mother of 14 of her husbands 58 children. The second of what was ultimately her husbands ten wives, she became the mother of thirteen of his 58 children. Irene spencer nee kunz, february 1, 1937 march 12, 2017 was an american author and a.
Her story is incredible and quite painful to imagine living, but it was the subject herself i had trouble with. The daughter of the second wife, she watched as her mothers life shattered causing her to leave her husband. During her twentyeight years in a polygamous marriage, irene gave birth to thirteen children all single births. Aug 22, 2007 shattered dreams is the autobiography of irene spencer, a woman raised in a fundamentalist polygamous sect of the mormon faith. My life as a polygamists wife irene spencer, author. Although her writing style is often naive, raw, and repetitious, she offers an eyeopening look inside the walls of a secret polygamous compound. Shattered dreams downloadable audiobook las vegasclark.
Shattered dreams is the autobiography of irene spencer, a woman raised in a fundamentalist polygamous sect of the mormon faith. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Her dramatic story reveals how far religion can be stretched and abused and how one woman and her children found their way out, into truth and redemption. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints banned the practice more than a century ago, but some communities of selfstyled mormon fundamentalists continue to practice plural marriage. Irene is the author of shattered dreams and cult insanity. My life as a polygamists wife irene spencer, laural merlington on. When the government raided the fundamentalist, polygamous mormon village of short creek, arizona, irene and her family fled to verlans brothers mexican ranch. They lived in squalor and desolateconditions in the mexican desertwith verlans six brothers, one. Yet, at the age of sixteen, irene chose to become the second wife as well and watched as her husband took on more and more women. The first five people who buy a copy for twenty dollars,will have it signed by me, the ntact me on my personal message and i. I read both books quickly as irene is a wonderful story teller with a fascinating story to tell. Over the years as they fled to mexico, verlan had nine wives and fiftysix children all living in abject poverty. Irene shows how sheand anyone else caught in a false set of beliefs. Irenes first book, shattered dreams, is the staggering chronicle of her struggle.
Shattered dreams my life as a polygamists wife book. Shattered dreams irene spencer did as she felt godcommanded in marrying herbrotherinlaw verlan lebaron, becominghis second wife. Woodbridge author irene spencer releases third book about. Polygamy was not only accepted but expected by all who believed in the. Irene spencer is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story. She hopes the book will help other plural wives find their own freedom. Her father had a total of four wives and thirtyone children.
Irene spencer wrote her lifes story in a book titled shattered dreams. Irene spencer grew up in the branch of the mormon faith that still believed in polygamy. I wanted to know more about irenes life after polygamy and verlans death. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. This book was a satisfying end, as i finally got to see what happened to irene and how she met the love of her life, her husband hector who she shared with no other wives. My life as a polygamists wife by irene spencer 2008, paperback. Irene spencers heartbreaking memoir, shattered dreams, tells the true story of the life of a polygamist wife.
Shattered dreams gives us a look inside both the physical and emotional privations of the lebaron sisterwives living. In the wake of charges being dropped recently against controversial religious leaders in bountiful, b. Irene spencer irene spencer did as she felt god commanded in marrying her brotherinlaw verlan lebaron, becoming his second wife at age 16. Irene spencer currently lives in anchorage, alaska, with her husband, hector j. Buy this book r aised in a polygamous home, spencer was barely 16 when. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints banned the practice more than a. Buy shattered dreams by irene spencer online at alibris. When i finished shattered dreams, i felt a little cheated. We have new and used copies available, in 1 editions starting at. Listen to shattered dreams audiobook by irene spencer and. Shattered dreams will rip the guts of the reader as irene spencer. Summary irene spencer did as she felt god commanded in marrying her brotherinlaw, verlan lebaron, becoming his second wife. In the book irene chronicles her life as the second plural wife of verlan lebaron. When the government raided the fundamentalist, polygamous mormon village.
Despite her own mother abandoning the principle, and despite a suitor who promised irene a monogamous, mainstream lifestyle in the lds. Irenes first book, shattered dreams, is the staggering chronicle of her. Shattered dreams my life as a polygamists wife downloadable audiobook. Shattered dreams my life as a polygamists wife by irene spencer. Life for irene spencer was a series of devastating disappointments and hardships. Both books are a powerful testimony of gods love and grace. So thankful to have had a chance to read this book as well as shattered dreams. Irene spencer did as she felt god commanded in becoming the second wife to her. When thegovernment raided the fundamentalist, polygamousmormon village of short creek, arizona, irene and her family fled toverlans brothers mexican ranch. Shattered dreams is a memoir by irene spencer, a second wife who goes in her tender teens to live in a sect in mexico. An engrossing, though flawed memoir about poverty, procreation and polygamy south of the border.
The first five people who buy a copy for twenty dollars,will have it signed by me, the ntact me on my personal message and i will mail it to you. Irene spencer did as she felt god commanded in marrying her brotherinlaw verlan lebaron, becoming his second wife. New york times best selling author irene spencer, part 1. She wrote several books, including shattered dreams. Dec 17, 2007 by irene spencer, read by laural merlington. My life as a polygamists wife spencer, irene, merlington, laural on. Shattered dreams by irene spencer overdrive rakuten. Irene spencer of woodbridge has released her third book, shattered dreams restored, about her life as a polygamists wife and escape from that lifestyle. Irene, your book, shattered dreams, is an indictment of plural marriage. My life as a polygamists wife audiobook by irene spencer. When thegovernment raided the fundamentalist, polygamousmormon village of short creek, arizona,irene and her family fled toverlans brothers mexican ranch.
Irene spencer author of shattered dreams goodreads. Irene was raised to honor the principle of plural marriage and reverence for the sect leader to achieve eternal salvation. Irene spencer came from five generations of polygamy. My life as a polygamists wife by irene spencer 2008, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. I celebrate irenes courage to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams and step into the promise of a brand new tomorrow. Irene spencer audio books, best sellers, author bio. Irene spencer nee kunz, february 1, 1937 march 12, 2017 was an american author and a widow of verlan lebaron, brother of former prophet joel lebaron of the church of the firstborn of the fulness of times, a fundamentalist mormon offshoot.
I loved irenes book, shattered dreams and recommend that book be read prior to this one. I just finished irene spencers book, shattered dreams this former polygamists wife writes every sordid and shocking detail you wish you never knew. Recovering from the emotional damage polygamy dealt, spencer believes shattered dreams will provide the closure she needs. Irene spencer did as she felt godcommanded in marrying herbrotherinlaw verlan lebaron, becominghis second wife. October 22, 2014 proud to announce that shattered dreamsand cult insanity are both available in the polish language.
Its hard to believe it took her so long to get her first book published. My life as a polygamists wife by irene spencer 2007, hardcover at the best online prices at. Rebecca kimbel interviews irene spencer a new york times best selling author. Mar 17, 2011 rebecca kimbel interviews irene spencer a new york times best selling author. She seems to have no issue with the marrying off of young girls to men much older or the inferior position of women. Shattered dreams gives us a look inside both the physical and emotional privations of the lebaron sisterwives living in mexico during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Irene was twentythree and already had five children when this photo was taken.