Children of the New Age

by Steven J. Sutcliffe

The first true social history of the phenomenon known as New Age culture, Children of the New Age presents an overview of the diverse varieties of New Age belief and practice from the 1930s to the present day. Drawing on original ethnographic research and rarely seen archival material, it calls into question the assumption that the New Age is a discrete and unified 'movement', and reveals the unities and fractures evident in contemporary New Age practice.

Genres: New Age, Nonfiction

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Shashank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book abbot 11 years ago now, but I still recall parts of it quite well.

This book brings two perspectives together in looking at the so called new age. As an academic S attempts to trace a genealogy of the new age movement(s), how did it begin and change over time, how it’s self-understating has developed and branched out is many directions. How can a movement that has no central institution(s) or beliefs be so easily recognizable? Questions along this line fascinate S. Along with this narrative, S also offers a very personal story of his own search for a deeper meaning in life though his encounters with the new age practices ranging from the Findhorn community to walking on burning coals.

I felt the two perspectives informed each other to mutual benefit. If this was simply a genealogy, it might have become very dull and reductive, if only a personal memoire it would have lacked a high level of reflective/critical intelligence which was willing to ask hard questions while being open to unexpected answers. The book offers no final interpretations of the children of the new age, but struggles and to some extent succeeds to find fruitful questions and directions for answers to some of them. It view of history is very episodic, looking at small events and seeing how they might lead to bigger movements.