From my inbox. I’m glad to see this version in print. It was originally included on a cd-rom in the back of the printed biography, color coded to show what was not included in the printed version. The color coding is retained in this copy. Though many of the additions are repetitive material, making the book (perhaps unnecessarily) about twice the length of the printed version, the most important additions are the full source notes. Given that the information contained in this book is already available in a more compact and cheaper format, this may not be a purchase that everyone is interested in. However, for a Mormon bibliophile like me, it’s a must own. And to be sure, to get the chance to hear Ed speak and sign your copy of any of his tomes–well worth your evening.

Spend an Evening with an Author

We are thrilled to announce that Benchmark Books has just published Lengthen Your Stride: The Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball, Working Draft by Edward L. Kimball and that we will have the author at our store to speak about and sign his book on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Edward will be here from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. , speaking at 6:00 , and will answer questions and sign books before and after that time.

In 2005 Deseret Book published Lengthen Your Stride, the highly regarded sequel to Spencer W. Kimball, Twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (written with Andrew E. Kimball, Jr.). That book examined President Kimball?s life up to the beginning of his presidency of the LDS Church . It became an instant bestseller and was widely praised, particularly because of its human interest and candor.

Lengthen Your Stride focuses on the twelve years that Spencer W. Kimball served as president of the Church. The author, President Kimball?s son, using the same openness and skill he employed in the first biography, produced a much longer manuscript than what was finally published. Length was not the only limiting factor; there were also differences of opinion between him and the publisher as to what the book should include.

In its own preface, the publisher declared:

The publisher and the biographer do not agree on the interpretations or weight of importance given to a number of events, or the choices of characterization of some of the people. The author and the publisher have had open and energetic discussions on these issues, and there has been some give and take in the editorial process. The resulting book reflects a compromise between the two points of view. . . .

As one of the compromises, the publisher and author agreed to provide a CD-ROM with the book which would contain, among other items, the entire manuscript the author had submitted before it was further condensed for publication. Edward explains that in his biographical writing ?I have tried to always deal with sensitive issues cautiously but candidly,? wanting the reader to ?receive a fair telling of the full story, rather than a sanitized version from which the humanness has been leached.?

In the full-length, unabridged original manuscript of the book, which the author called the ?Working Draft,? he adeptly relates the story of his father as Church president with sensitive candor, portraying him and his associates as dignified, yet fallible, human beings, fully worthy of our respect.

We are confident this full version edition of the author?s original manuscript of his biography, Lengthen Your Stride, Working Draft, taken directly from the CD, will meet the expectations of those readers ?who wish more detail.? This handsome oversize volume (8½? by 11?), released in a one-time, limited edition of 400 copies (370 hardbound, 30 leather) is twice the length of the trade edition, with 665 pages and over 3200 footnotes. This is one of the finest biographies ever written of a prominent LDS Church leader.

We hope you will be able to attend this event, which is sure to be informative and interesting, but if you cannot, you may order books which can be signed or personalized and held or shipped to you.

Lengthen Your Stride (hardbound) $99.95

Lengthen Your Stride (leather bound). A lettered edition of 26 copies (4 copies hors commerce, not for sale) will be available in the next few months and is expected to sell out quickly. The estimated price is between $400-$500. Please inquire, if interested.

Lengthen Your Stride (2005 trade edition, hardbound, dust jacket) $29.95

Spencer W. Kimball: Twelfth President . . . is out of print, but used copies are available (inquire if interested).

Shipping: Media mail with delivery confirmation, $7.00 (to insure?highly recommended–add $2.50). UPS/FedEx option available; inquire for details. Utah residents, please add 6.85% sales tax.
Benchmark Books
3269 S. Main St., Ste. 250
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
801-486-3111
801-486-3452 (fax)
800-486-3112 (orders)
Hours: Mon. – Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, check, or Money Order