It's an interesting thesis on the broad social scientific factors behind the Rise of Mormonism. 

It's not really a history book, in the sense that it narrates the trajectory and events related to the growth and spread of Mormonism. Instead, it's more of a book elucidating some factors that could be behind the rise and spread of this potential world religion. 

I found it to be very interesting in that aspect. It is to be noted that Stark's predictions about Mormon growth may not hold in the next couple of decades, considering the recent decline in Mormon growth. But learning about some interesting factors behind how a religion becomes succesful definitely makes it worth the time.