The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers

by Stephen J. Stein

The Shakers, once a radical religious sect whose members were despised and harassed by their fellow Americans, have in recent years become celebrated—and sentimentalized—for their communal way of life, the simplicity of their worship, their belief in celibacy, pacifism, and equality of the sexes, and not least, their superb furniture and handicrafts. This monumental 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: their charismatic leaders, the early years in revolutionary New York and New England, the expansion into the West, the maturation and growth of the sect before the Civil War, the decline in their fortunes after the war, the painful adjustments to society Shakers had to make during the first half of the twentieth century, the renaissance of interest after 1950, and the “forbidden topic” within contemporary Shakerism—the conflict between the two remaining villages at Canterbury, New Hampshire, and Sabbathday Lake, Maine. Stein provides many new interpretations of the Shaker experience. He reassesses the role of founder Ann Lee, emphasizes the impact of the western Shaker settlements on the course of the society’s history, and describes the variety of cultural enterprises that have obscured the religious and historical dimensions of the Shakers. Throughout Stein places the Shaker experience within the wider context of American life and shows how the movement has evolved to deal with changing times. Shattering the romantic myth that has been perpetuated about the quaint and peaceful Shakers, Stein portrays a group that is factious, practical, and fully human.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Research, Christianity

574 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 1992

About the author

Stephen J. Stein is professor of religious studies, adjunct professor of history, and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Indiana University.

Reviews

[Howard Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first comprehensive history of the Shakers is a thorough, sober, assessment of a group that began as a radical sect that was sometimes attacked and run out of town, and which, in its last days, was venerated for their furniture and art, as if furniture-making was the sum of their faith. Stein has written an essential book about the Shakers.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book ever written on the history of the Shakers.

[Juliet Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and detailed work on the Shakers and their sometimes conflicting beliefs and practices. While in some ways this was just another strict Protestant fundamentalist sect, they were also astonishingly innovative, both in their refreshingly unorthodox theology and in the 19th Century world of manufacturing and agriculture. Shaker design and labor saving devices are legendary, as well as their ingenuously built hygienic barns. We learn about these here, but we also learn the straight scoop on the various leaders, beginning with the charismatic Anne Lee and the development, growth and then the gradual decline, of the sect. This is not a book which idealizes; it presents the history, with copious notes and original source. There are villains in the story--leaders who ran off with the church funds--just as there are in the news today--as well as those I'd call saints.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not all gifts are simple; for anyone with a passing interest in American religions, The Shaker Experience in America is a cumbersome but worthwhile read

[Paul E. Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history of Shakers. Very thorough research. Wish sections or chapters had been broken down into smaller bits to make it more readable.

[Deborah Escobar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a scholarly work, but very informative and covers the entire length of Shaker existence. I learned a great deal.

[Neal Hellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and very well researched work on the shakers.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I ever read about the shakers. Glad I did as it got me hooked.