One can scarcely expect to understand the history of Mormonism without knowing George Q. Cannon. Although he was never president of the LDS Church, few surpassed Cannon as a leader, shaper, and defender of nineteenth-century Mormonism.An impressive human being, George Q. Cannon served faithfully in the efforts to build the kingdom. Among other things, he was a missionary to Hawaii; a journalist, editor, and publisher; a delegate to the U.S. Congress for ten years; the husband of six wives and father of forty-two children; an apostle for more than forty years; and counselor to three presidents of the Church. Although George Q. Cannon's biography could take up volumes, author David Bitton's one-volume work is true to the remarkable achievements, spirit and life of an exceptional individual.George Q. Cannon: A Biography is the winner of The 1999 Evans Biography Award. The award, given by the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies at Utah State University, is designed to encourage fine writing about the people who have shaped the growth and character of the West.