DAVID CRUMM SAYS: If you're new to the Shakers and want to delve into the movement's whole history, Stephen J. Stein's book stands up sturdily after more than a dozen years as the standard "must read" volume on the movement.

There are many other books on this movement, its radical concept of sharing leadership between men and women, its graceful furniture and its enduring musical heritage (The famous "Simple Gifts" alone has morphed into countless other forms, including "Lord of the Dance.")

But, to step back and glimpse the entire scope of their movement with clarity and balance, pick up Stein's excellent history.

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Product Description

This engrossing book is the first general history of the Shakers from their origins in eighteenth-century England to the present day. Drawing on written and oral testimony by Shakers over the past two centuries, Stephen J. Stein offers a full and often revisionist account of the movement: the powerful charismatic leaders, the years of maturation and growth before the Civil War, the subsequent decline in fortune, and its adjustments to twentieth-century society. Shattering the romantic myths that have been perpetuated about the Shakers, Stein portrays a group that is factious, practical, and fully human.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #579191 in Books
• Published on: 1994-02-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 574 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Established near Albany, N.Y. in 1787 as a religious society, the early Shaker community, led by founder Ann Lee, lived in insular villages, embracing pacifism and celibacy, having visions and joining in ritual dancing (shaking). In this comprehensive academic history Stein, head of the department of religious studies at Indiana University, provides a revisionist account of Shaker expansion and decline, describing schisms between Shaker enclaves, doctrinal differences and the influence of several charismatic leaders. Although the Shakers' commitment to celibacy seemed to augur their eventual demise, Stein points out that the society at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, is still functioning; a body of contemporary supporters is determined that Shakerism will remain alive. Illustrated.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The first book to cover all Shakerdom from the 1700s to the 1980s, this work of scholarship will also prove accessible to the nonspecialist. Stein (religious studies, Indiana Univ.) offers a revisionist account: he plays down the influence of Ann Lee, plays up the role of the Western communities, and declares that the Shakers were no more successful in meeting their ideals than many other communal groups. While he has mined all the appropriate manuscript and published sources, he gives greater credence to opinions in the "apostate" literature than to most Shaker writings and displays definite skepticism toward much of the secondary literature, notably Edward Deming Andrews's The People Called Shakers (1953). Unfortunately, the endnote style makes it difficult to verify some of the documentation for Stein's controversial claims. Still, given the inaccuracies and overemphasis on material culture of most popular books, Stein's coverage of post-1948 Shakerdom, and the debate that should follow publication of this title, it is an essential purchase for most public and academic libraries.
- James H. Sweetland, SLIS, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
An unusually comprehensive and eminently readable chronicle of more than two centuries of Shaker life, from its rough beginning in the late 18th century to its diminished yet still significant presence today. In his thoroughness, Stein (Religious Studies/Indiana Univ.) turns first to England, where Ann Lee, founder of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming, was born and felt the call that would bring her and others to the US in 1774, hoping to find fertile ground where their religion could take root. Establishing a small settlement near Albany as home base, persistent missionary efforts in New England by ``Mother'' Lee and her followers drew considerable notice, much of it unfavorable. Undaunted by the abuse, the Shakers intensified the task of broadcasting the Shaker message after Lee's death in 1784, with communities arising from southern Maine to Indiana during a period of vigorous growth and accomplishment lasting well into the 1820's. Although the Society continued to prosper, retrenchment and losses to apostasy increased in the second half of the century as many found fault with the severe work ethic and celibacy requirement or were lured away for other reasons. Never entirely self-sufficient, Believers put their hands-to-work philosophy to use by making and selling various products--everything from seeds to furniture--but dwindling numbers resulted in ever fewer hands. One by one, groups were consolidated and properties sold, until by 1925 only six sites remained. But with a resurgence of interest in the Society's spiritualism and its products, both an active community and a ``world of Shaker'' remain today--so, Stein says, a future may still exist for them both. Clear and well-researched: an invaluable history for those interested in one of the more fascinating forms of the American religious experience. (Fifty-seven illustrations--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Customer Reviews

Necessary History
Ann Lee said "Do all your work as though you had a thousand years to live, and as you would if you knew you must die tommorrow." That sentiment carries much of the flavor of the American Shaker sect and acts as a guiding principle for understanding their history.

And that history is important, particularly if you want to understand the US during the nineteenth century. These highly successful communities managed to contribute to the fabric of a nation while living out their ideals of celibacy, simplicity of life, separation from the world, and community of goods. Industrialization and the US Civil War caused the circumstances that led to their inevitable decline, as the new country became more interested in class struggle than utopian visions.

Extremely interesting reading.

Excellant book, very interesting reading, informative
Having visited the Shaker Handcock site during 1997, I became interested in the Shaker experience. Found this publication to be well researched and written so that it kept ones interest and provided material that took the reader inside the whole concept and idea that they believed in. Would recomend this book to anyone with an open mind and who enjoys different subjects and views.

the true word about the shakers
This book is for anyone who wants to understand "the shaker experience in America". I have to admit, it is a bit dry and text book like but this book is factual and dispells many myths that people have about the shakers. A must for anyone interested in this religion , in addition to visiting a Shaker site or museum collection