| Utopian England: Community Experiments 1900-1945 Contributor(s): Hardy, Dennis (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 0419246703 ISBN-13: 9780419246701 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $56.95 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2000 Annotation: This book examines the contrasting ideologies and fortunes of utopian community experiments in the early twentieth century. The idea of creating a perfect society led to practical community experiments varying widely in ideology and form. The book starts by locating this episode of utopian ideas and community experiments within an existing tradition, drawing attention especially to nineteenth century precedents. Evidence of continuity is then balanced by the unique circumstances of the early twentieth century - a time of turbulence and transition - and the distinctive pattern of utopianism that emerged. An assessment is made of the overall impact of these experiments: were they marginal to society or did they provide important markers in a changing world? Finally, at the start of a new millennium, the question is asked as to why utopianism retains a hold on contemporary thought. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Sociology - General - Architecture | Urban & Land Use Planning - Architecture | Landscape |
| Dewey: 307.740 |
| LCCN: 00039503 |
| Series: Studies in History, Planning, and the Environment |
| Physical Information: 0.61" H x 7.56" W x 9.54" (1.54 lbs) 320 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: England in the early part of the twentieth century was rich in utopian ventures - diverse and intriguing in their scope and aims. Two world wars, an economic depression, and the emergence of fascist states in Europe were all a spur to idealists to seek new limits - to escape from the here and now, and to create sanctuaries for new and better lives. Dennis Hardy explores this fascinating history of utopian ideals, the lives of those who pursued them, and the utopian communities they created. Some communities were fired by a long tradition of land movements, others by thoughts of more humane ways of building towns. In turn there were experiments devoted to the arts; to the promotion of religious doctrine; and to a variety of political causes. And some were just 'places of the imagination'. Utopian England is about just one episode in the perennial search for perfection, but what is revealed has lessons that extend well beyond a particular time and place. So long as there are failings in society, so long as rationality is not enough, there will continue to be a place for thinking the impossible, for going in search of utopia. |