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2172 ratings, 3.48 average rating, 191 reviews
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published
July 7th 1997
(first published 1516)
by Dover Publications
binding
Paperback, 96 pages
characters
setting
Unknown
isbn
0486295834
(isbn13: 9780486295831)
description
16th-century classic by brilliant humanist, churchman and scholar envisioned a patriarchal island kingdom that practiced religious tolerance, in which...more
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avg 3.48
Thomas More is traveling in the Low Countries when he sees his friend, Peter Giles. Giles introduces him to a well-traveled friend of his, Raphael Hythloday.
Raphael speaks of many countries and their policies and laws, and freely criticizes the laws of their own countries.He then begins speaking of a country, Utopia, which he thinks is ruled very well and is a perfect country.
More begs Raphael to speak more of Utopia, and he does. He first tells of their towns, which are all as identical...more
Raphael speaks of many countries and their policies and laws, and freely criticizes the laws of their own countries.He then begins speaking of a country, Utopia, which he thinks is ruled very well and is a perfect country.
More begs Raphael to speak more of Utopia, and he does. He first tells of their towns, which are all as identical...more
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Read in December, 2003
recommends it for:
European History Interests...maybe
Thomas More was better at being a martyr then being an engaging writer. Probably going to hell now, but with all the science fiction out there, all the utopia/dystopia motifs oozing out of everything, and this version not even being the first example of a literary Utopia (not to mention that this "Utopia" is clearly no utopia at all), this book is better left to Medieval literature classes or on the shelf all together.
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Read in December, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
Commies, socialists, naive suburban kids
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. Poorly written, annoyingly condescending, ridiculously simplistic and more than anything, stupid.
No wonder why the commies (Lenin and others) commemorated More in the early days of communist Russia. his ideals are to "get rid of the beggars" by forced labor, allow no private ownership of anything, no specialization of labor, (yet still have a highly artistic/agrarian society, everything totally equal, (except for the "temporary...more
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Read in January, 2008
The term 'utopia' in the way we use it today, to refer to an ideal but unattainable state, comes from this book, which More wrote in 1516. The form is political critique disguised as fantasy disguised as travelogue. More casts himself as the recorder of Raphael Hythloday's travels to the island of Utopia, where, despite their lack of Christianity, the people are closer to realizing the Christian ideal society through rational government than Europe ever was. Today serious criticism doesn't have ...more
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Read in November, 1997
Both more and less readable than one would expect. Ultimately, more an insight into the minds of Renaissance-era Englishmen than anything useful today as a philosophical statement.
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Read in November, 2008
As much as I enjoy reading 16th century ideas (or rather, ideals), this book is pretty unforgiving.
It's safe to say that I enjoy the idea of this book more than the book itself. I love the importance of this book, but have a semi-difficult time plodding through it (especially on a re-read, when the ideas itself aren't new).
I am fascinated by Sir Thomas More's legend, and the time period this book was written in. I'm also astonished that the ideals he put forth didn't result in him ...more
It's safe to say that I enjoy the idea of this book more than the book itself. I love the importance of this book, but have a semi-difficult time plodding through it (especially on a re-read, when the ideas itself aren't new).
I am fascinated by Sir Thomas More's legend, and the time period this book was written in. I'm also astonished that the ideals he put forth didn't result in him ...more
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Read in October, 1970
recommended to erik by:
Alan Jonesrecommends it for: those interested in utopian thought
Being award twenty-four semester hours of credit for work done before matriculation, I entered Grinnell College with the expectation of taking a lot of relevant coursework. Consequently, I paid little attention to requirements and, during '69-70, took three Social Science electives, one of which was Alan Jones' "Seminar on Utopia and Society."
At Grinnell, a traditional residential college, pretty much all students are aged 17-21 while professors are 40+. One forgets that there is...more
At Grinnell, a traditional residential college, pretty much all students are aged 17-21 while professors are 40+. One forgets that there is...more
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Read in October, 2008
This was an interesting read for me. While reading I found myself agreeing and then disagreeing with Thomas More. By stripping away and simplifying a civilization(unlimited resources, isolationism, lack of rebellion), More allows the reader to critically look at one's own beliefs. I constantly found myself comparing my own views with those presented in Utopia and mentally working through why I agreed or disagreed. Even though the book is ...more
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Read in September, 2008
This is essentially a 16th c. Christian humanist reflection on Plato’s Republic in the context of contemporary Europe and Henry VIII’s England in particular. The Utopia isn’t seriously intended as a model, though there are critiques made in earnest and concepts no doubt intended seriously, some radical for the time – elimination of private property, democracy, (relative) equality for women, legal suicide for terminal illness, etc. Unfortunately Moore places his book in close proximity ...more
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Read in October, 2008
reading this book reminded me of being at ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ (sorry i must have dozed off) anyways this very boring classic reminded me of being at a sunday church service with my fundamentalist pacifist parents listening to someone's idea of a 'perfect' place to live. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. there it goes again, i swear if they put this book in a bottle ambien would go out of business. anyways one person's idea of a perfect place to live turns out to be the epitome of hell for someone else. this ...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Those interested in government and/or philosophy
Although it took me 2 whole months to read a relatively short novel, I liked Moore's well-referenced Utopia. The first book is a little slow, but picked up a little at the end. The second book is way more interesting, going into details about this relatively unknown land of Utopia. This story is told from Moore's memory of a conversation he had with a man who traveled to the land of Utopia. Everything from fashion to politics is covered in their discussion, which although is very interesting, is...more
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Read in March, 2008
The man was brilliant but his ideas are relatively impractical for application in a society based on capitalism. His impact on future Utopian experiments was widespread and after reading his well-thought out book I can see why people actually tried it. The book is short, but not a quick read. It covers every aspect of society from government to religion, from rules of warfare to communal sharing of property. For people studying the reasons a modern Utopian society failed, comparing it with th...more
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Not my Review, but taken partial from :
Library of the World's Best Literature
By Edward Cornelius Towne
Written in Latin in 1615, "Utopia" by Sir Thomas More, is the source from which have been taken many of socialistic ideas... At the time it was written, the author, fearing to acknowledge these ideas as his own, attributed them to a mythical person.
In describing the land of 'Utopia' he had visited, he called attention to the abuses then prevalent in England--punishment ...more
Library of the World's Best Literature
By Edward Cornelius Towne
Written in Latin in 1615, "Utopia" by Sir Thomas More, is the source from which have been taken many of socialistic ideas... At the time it was written, the author, fearing to acknowledge these ideas as his own, attributed them to a mythical person.
In describing the land of 'Utopia' he had visited, he called attention to the abuses then prevalent in England--punishment ...more
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Read in February, 2005
Rough read to say the least. However, I felt it neccessary to read one of the originals that inspired practically a genre of wicked good Science Fiction.
I don't recommend this to average readers, but more people with patience to sift through pages (while relatively short) of non-engaging words.
I don't recommend this to average readers, but more people with patience to sift through pages (while relatively short) of non-engaging words.
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Read in January, 2008
Utopia is a must for anyone wanting to better understand the history of political science. More gives his idea of a perfect society, through a Marco Polo-like analysis of the fictional Utopia's government, culture, and views on religion, etc. What makes it especially impressive is to see the views on the separation of Church and state and the freedom of religion from someone living in the 1500's. Some other interesting parts include the idea that our culture determines what we value (Utopian...more
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"for everywhere one may hear of ravenous dogs and wolves, and cruel men-eaters, but it is not so easy to find states that are well and wisely governed."
"For most princes apply themselves more to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace; and in these I neither have any knowledge, nor do I much desire it; they are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms, right or wrong, than on governing well those they possess: and, among the ministers of princes, there are none tha...more
"For most princes apply themselves more to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace; and in these I neither have any knowledge, nor do I much desire it; they are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms, right or wrong, than on governing well those they possess: and, among the ministers of princes, there are none tha...more
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Read in April, 2008
I loved this book. I thought it was a fun look at the "naturalness" of capitalism (the whole argument for Utopia is how reasonable and natural that social arrangement is) and had great arguments against private property. Even though the imaginary communal society persecutes atheists and executes adulterers, it had a few redeeming qualities! What was really shocking and upsetting to me was the accuracy with which Raphael described and condemned capitalism, which was really only in its...more
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Thomas More was well ahead of his time, he was a man who was both a devout catholic and a man dedicated to equality, principle and education (even for women). Sadly, its his principles that cost him his head during one of Henry VIII tantrums, but nevertheless, Utopia is a fascinating idea. On the surface, it makes sense that, in a time when the lower classes were so oppressed, a story like this would arise that idealises communal living, equality and tolerance. The thing is though, those oppress...more
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If only people of the world would actually behave this way, then it might not be such a bad idea. however, it's been proven that communisim doesn't work 'cause the people in power take it for granted.
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The community described in Thomas More' Utopia has which of these characteristics?
a. There is no private ownership.
b. The average household has two slaves.
c. Agriculture is the most important occupation.
d. There are no lawyers, and the law is made simple so everybody can understand it.
e. There are several religious communities.
f. All of the above.
g. Nos. 1 and 3 through 5.
h. Nos. 1, 4 and 5.
More trivia...
a. There is no private ownership.
b. The average household has two slaves.
c. Agriculture is the most important occupation.
d. There are no lawyers, and the law is made simple so everybody can understand it.
e. There are several religious communities.
f. All of the above.
g. Nos. 1 and 3 through 5.
h. Nos. 1, 4 and 5.
More trivia...
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