Utopia : the history of an idea / Gregory Claeys.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Claeys, Gregory, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Utopias--History.

Utopias.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (158 pages)

Place of Publication:

London ; New York, New York : Thames & Hudson, 2020.

Summary:

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.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780500775271

0500775273