The Communistic Societies of the United States

Nordhoff, Charles

Publisher: Schocken Books, USA
Year First Published: {12083 The Communistic Societies of the United States COMMUNISTIC SOCIETIES OF THE UNITED STATES Nordhoff, Charles Schocken Books USA Describes a dozen Utopian societies. 1875 1965 439pp BC12083s-CommunisticSocieties.jpg B Book Charles Nordhoff describes a dozen Utopian societies of the past and present. He gives detailed accounts of various communities and their ideologies. Groups living collectively did so for varying reasons and to varying results. Nordhoff analyzes these results to come up with his own theory of collective living. The failures of groups in the past can be inspected and avoided by the groups of the future. In this commentary on communistic societies, Nordhoff presents a number of models for the "good life". These models are anti-capitalist in nature and aim to provide a more human and social way of living and working together. With a new introductory essay by Franklin H. Littel, the book is made up of 14 parts. Most of these are focused on a single collective. A history, description of customs, explanation of ideas and revelation of the degree of success of each community is provided. Some communities have published literature that is referenced by Nordhoff. If the community failed in the end, Nordhoff provides reasons and methods for such conflicts to be avoided. Later sections look at non-communist colonies and statistical comparisons of the different ideologies. Maps, illustrations and charts are embedded throughout the work. By looking at many communistic societies together, Nordhoff can provide advice and analysis to future collectives. His own theories are based off the research and information included in this book. [Abstract by Mia Manns] Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The Amana Society 3. The Harmonists at Economy 4. The Separatists of Zoar 5. The Shakers 6. The Oneida and Wallingford Perfectionists 7. The Aurora and Bethel Communes 8. The Icarians 9. The Bishop Hill Colony 10. The Cedar Vale Commune 11. The Social Freedom Community 12. Three Colonies - Not Communistic 13. Comparative View and Review Bibliography Index CX6223 1 true true false CX6223.htm [0xc000376240 0xc0002b3350 0xc0002f3ec0 0xc0007c0180 0xc00044c840 0xc00044dc20 0xc0004e6720 0xc000554d80 0xc0005680c0 0xc0008d4450 0xc0019300c0 0xc0002abda0 0xc000a3f9e0 0xc001b59bf0 0xc001b86db0 0xc0025a37d0 0xc002602690 0xc002631dd0 0xc002679e00 0xc0015f4de0 0xc001b6e330 0xc002289ec0 0xc00230edb0 0xc002333fb0] Cx}
Year Published: 1965
Pages: 439pp Resource Type: Book
Cx Number: CX6223

Describes a dozen Utopian societies.

Abstract:
Charles Nordhoff describes a dozen Utopian societies of the past and present. He gives detailed accounts of various communities and their ideologies. Groups living collectively did so for varying reasons and to varying results. Nordhoff analyzes these results to come up with his own theory of collective living. The failures of groups in the past can be inspected and avoided by the groups of the future.

In this commentary on communistic societies, Nordhoff presents a number of models for the "good life". These models are anti-capitalist in nature and aim to provide a more human and social way of living and working together.

With a new introductory essay by Franklin H. Littel, the book is made up of 14 parts. Most of these are focused on a single collective. A history, description of customs, explanation of ideas and revelation of the degree of success of each community is provided. Some communities have published literature that is referenced by Nordhoff. If the community failed in the end, Nordhoff provides reasons and methods for such conflicts to be avoided. Later sections look at non-communist colonies and statistical comparisons of the different ideologies. Maps, illustrations and charts are embedded throughout the work.

By looking at many communistic societies together, Nordhoff can provide advice and analysis to future collectives. His own theories are based off the research and information included in this book.

[Abstract by Mia Manns]

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Amana Society
3. The Harmonists at Economy
4. The Separatists of Zoar
5. The Shakers
6. The Oneida and Wallingford Perfectionists
7. The Aurora and Bethel Communes
8. The Icarians
9. The Bishop Hill Colony
10. The Cedar Vale Commune
11. The Social Freedom Community
12. Three Colonies - Not Communistic
13. Comparative View and Review

Bibliography
Index

The Communistic Societies of the United States

Subject Headings