Utopia: The History of an Idea by Gregory Claeys (English) Paperback Book

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A worldwide survey on the idea of utopia, from classical mythology to contemporary science fiction.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Aspirations for a better - even a perfect - society have existed throughout history, often imagined in intricate detail by philosophers, poets, social reformers, architects and artists. This book explores a perennially powerful idea: the quest for the ideal society. Gregory Claeys surveys the influence of the idea of Utopia on history. Central to his exploration of ideal worlds are creation myths; archetypes of heaven and the afterlife; new worlds and voyages of discovery; ages of revolution and technological progress; model communities and kibbutzim; political and ecological dystopias; space travel and science fiction. The most significant utopias throughout history - whether envisaged or attempted - are covered, including visions of the ideal society in the West as well as American, Asian, African and the Arab worlds. From classical times to the present day, this compelling book traces the enduring human need to imagine and construct ideal worlds.

Author Biography

Gregory Claeys has been Professor of the History of Political Thought at Royal Holloway since 1992. His many books include Utopia, Thomas Paine and the Pelican book Marx and Marxism.

Table of Contents

The Search for Utopia • The Classical Age • Christian Archetypes • Extra-European Visions of the Ideal Society • Thomas More's Utopia • Voyages of Discovery to the New World and Beyond • The Age of Defoe and Swift • Revolution and Enlightenment • Ideal Cities: Medieval to Modern • Utopia as Community: From Shakers to Hippies • Socialism, Communism and Anarchism • Rationalism, Technology and Modernity as Utopia • The Emergence of Science Fiction • Varieties of Dystopia: Totalitarianism and After • Utopia, Science Fiction and Film: The Final Frontier • Conclusion: Paradise Lost?

Review

'Magisterial' - BBC History Magazine'Full and fast-moving' - Herald'Well-informed and penetrating' - Irish Catholic'This excellent survey of the utopian impulse … has one obvious lesson, dreaming of a better world is one thing, putting it into practice, quite another' - Choice

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A compelling history of a perennially powerful idea: the quest for the ideal society

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A compelling history of a perennially powerful idea: the quest for the ideal society

Details ISBN0500295522 Year 2020 ISBN-10 0500295522 ISBN-13 9780500295526 Format Paperback Imprint Thames & Hudson Ltd Subtitle The History of an Idea Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom Publisher Thames & Hudson Ltd Pages 224 Author Gregory Claeys DEWEY 321.0709 Publication Date 2020-01-09 Short Title Utopia Language English UK Release Date 2020-01-09 NZ Release Date 2020-01-09 Illustrations 23 Illustrations, color Audience General AU Release Date 2020-03-08 We've got this

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