Reviews
Chronicles the life of a man who witnessed Shakerism from its first coalescence into communal groups in the eighteenth century to the troubling waves of apostasy in the mid-nineteenth century that signaled the start of a precipitous decline. Wergland's work offers a micro view of the lived experience of Shakerism, examining in detail this one, fascinating Shaker life., We know very little about the lived experience of Shakerism from the individual's point of view. Youngs's numerous writings, both public and private, make it possible for Wergland to reconstruct a nuanced and detailed story of dedication mixed with occasional doubt., Wergland has written a magnificent manuscript. The depth of her research reveals the ten years spent working on this book. She has left no stone unturned in her search for information on Youngs and in her endeavors to give the reader the full picture of this Shaker's life....Wergland's writing style engages the reader and captures one's attention....This book is a must read for not only Shaker enthusiasts, but also anyone who loves to read., One of the finest pieces of scholarship ever done on the Shakers. It stands in stark contrast to the many books published in the last few years which, although on the topic of the Shakers and quite colorful, have shown very little research, and even less thought. It is one thing to list resources, it is quite another to have actually used them, and used them in the proper context. Wergland's book reflects a thorough knowledge of Shaker brother Isaac Newton Youngs and his times. Youngs left over four thousand manuscript pages, and Wergland's understanding of life at the Church Family at New Lebanon when Youngs lived there shows that she has read them all to inform her critical analysis. The result is a work that has many insights for anyone truly wanting to understand life in this community... I cannot state enough how important books like this are if we are ever to gain a correct and complete view of the Shakers as they have evolved., "We know very little about the lived experience of Shakerism from the individual's point of view. Youngs's numerous writings, both public and private, make it possible for Wergland to reconstruct a nuanced and detailed story of dedication mixed with occasional doubt."--Priscilla J. Brewer, author of Shaker Communities, Shaker Lives "The documentary base of this study is outstanding. Glendyne Wergland has immersed herself in the rich body of manuscripts produced by Isaac Youngs and also by his contemporaries as well as in the scholarly and popular literature concerning the Shakers. She has written a book that is accessible, clear, and full of details and commentary."--Stephen J. Stein, author of The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers "Chronicles the life of a man who witnessed Shakerism from its first coalescence into communal groups in the eighteenth century to the troubling waves of apostasy in the mid-nineteenth century that signaled the start of a precipitous decline. Wergland's work offers a micro view of the lived experience of Shakerism, examining in detail this one, fascinating Shaker life."--Journal of American History "Wergland has written a magnificent manuscript. The depth of her research reveals the ten years spent working on this book. She has left no stone unturned in her search for information on Youngs and in her endeavors to give the reader the full picture of this Shaker's life. . . .Wergland's writing style engages the reader and captures one's attention. . . .This book is a must read for not only Shaker enthusiasts, but also anyone who loves to read."--Register of the Kentucky Historical Society "One of the finest pieces of scholarship ever done on the Shakers. It stands in stark contrast to the many books published in the last few years which, although on the topic of the Shakers and quite colorful, have shown very little research, and even less thought. It is one thing to list resources, it is quite another to have actually used them, and used them in the proper context. Wergland's book reflects a thorough knowledge of Shaker brother Isaac Newton Youngs and his times. Youngs left over four thousand manuscript pages, and Wergland's understanding of life at the Church Family at New Lebanon when Youngs lived there shows that she has read them all to inform her critical analysis. The result is a work that has many insights for anyone truly wanting to understand life in this community. . . I cannot state enough how important books like this are if we are ever to gain a correct and complete view of the Shakers as they have evolved."--Stephen J. Paterwic "This work offers a major contribution to Shaker history and to the study of women's struggle for equality. . . . Wergland's perceptive analysis of Shaker egalitarianism is a helpful approach to the ongoing feminist conversation regarding gender equality."--Choice "It is a major contribution to Shaker Studies and an intriguing peek into the daily round of a life that attracted many, challenged all, and defeated not a few. It is recommended to discerning librarians and students."--Missiology: An international review, "We know very little about the lived experience of Shakerism from the individual's point of view. Youngs's numerous writings, both public and private, make it possible for Wergland to reconstruct a nuanced and detailed story of dedication mixed with occasional doubt."--Priscilla J. Brewer, author of Shaker Communities, Shaker Lives "The documentary base of this study is outstanding. Glendyne Wergland has immersed herself in the rich body of manuscripts produced by Isaac Youngs and also by his contemporaries as well as in the scholarly and popular literature concerning the Shakers. She has written a book that is accessible, clear, and full of details and commentary."--Stephen J. Stein, author of The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers "Chronicles the life of a man who witnessed Shakerism from its first coalescence into communal groups in the eighteenth century to the troubling waves of apostasy in the mid-nineteenth century that signaled the start of a precipitous decline. Wergland's work offers a micro view of the lived experience of Shakerism, examining in detail this one, fascinating Shaker life."-- Journal of American History "Wergland has written a magnificent manuscript. The depth of her research reveals the ten years spent working on this book. She has left no stone unturned in her search for information on Youngs and in her endeavors to give the reader the full picture of this Shaker's life. . . .Wergland's writing style engages the reader and captures one's attention. . . .This book is a must read for not only Shaker enthusiasts, but also anyone who loves to read."-- Register of the Kentucky Historical Society "One of the finest pieces of scholarship ever done on the Shakers. It stands in stark contrast to the many books published in the last few years which, although on the topic of the Shakers and quite colorful, have shown very little research, and even less thought. It is one thing to list resources, it is quite another to have actually used them, and used them in the proper context. Wergland's book reflects a thorough knowledge of Shaker brother Isaac Newton Youngs and his times. Youngs left over four thousand manuscript pages, and Wergland's understanding of life at the Church Family at New Lebanon when Youngs lived there shows that she has read them all to inform her critical analysis. The result is a work that has many insights for anyone truly wanting to understand life in this community. . . I cannot state enough how important books like this are if we are ever to gain a correct and complete view of the Shakers as they have evolved."--Stephen J. Paterwic "This work offers a major contribution to Shaker history and to the study of women's struggle for equality. . . . Wergland's perceptive analysis of Shaker egalitarianism is a helpful approach to the ongoing feminist conversation regarding gender equality."-- Choice "It is a major contribution to Shaker Studies and an intriguing peek into the daily round of a life that attracted many, challenged all, and defeated not a few. It is recommended to discerning librarians and students."-- Missiology: An international review, This work offers a major contribution to Shaker history and to the study of women's struggle for equality.... Wergland's perceptive analysis of Shaker egalitarianism is a helpful approach to the ongoing feminist conversation regarding gender equality., It is a major contribution to Shaker Studies and an intriguing peek into the daily round of a life that attracted many, challenged all, and defeated not a few. It is recommended to discerning librarians and students., "We know very little about the lived experience of Shakerism from the individual's point of view. Youngs's numerous writings, both public and private, make it possible for Wergland to reconstruct a nuanced and detailed story of dedication mixed with occasional doubt."--Priscilla J. Brewer, author of Shaker Communities, Shaker Lives"The documentary base of this study is outstanding. Glendyne Wergland has immersed herself in the rich body of manuscripts produced by Isaac Youngs and also by his contemporaries as well as in the scholarly and popular literature concerning the Shakers. She has written a book that is accessible, clear, and full of details and commentary."--Stephen J. Stein, author of The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers"Chronicles the life of a man who witnessed Shakerism from its first coalescence into communal groups in the eighteenth century to the troubling waves of apostasy in the mid-nineteenth century that signaled the start of a precipitous decline. Wergland's work offers a micro view of the lived experience of Shakerism, examining in detail this one, fascinating Shaker life."--Journal of American History"Wergland has written a magnificent manuscript. The depth of her research reveals the ten years spent working on this book. She has left no stone unturned in her search for information on Youngs and in her endeavors to give the reader the full picture of this Shaker's life. . . .Wergland's writing style engages the reader and captures one's attention. . . .This book is a must read for not only Shaker enthusiasts, but also anyone who loves to read."--Register of the Kentucky Historical Society"One of the finest pieces of scholarship ever done on the Shakers. It stands in stark contrast to the many books published in the last few years which, although on the topic of the Shakers and quite colorful, have shown very little research, and even less thought. It is one thing to list resources, it is quite another to have actually used them, and used them in the proper context. Wergland's book reflects a thorough knowledge of Shaker brother Isaac Newton Youngs and his times. Youngs left over four thousand manuscript pages, and Wergland's understanding of life at the Church Family at New Lebanon when Youngs lived there shows that she has read them all to inform her critical analysis. The result is a work that has many insights for anyone truly wanting to understand life in this community. . . I cannot state enough how important books like this are if we are ever to gain a correct and complete view of the Shakers as they have evolved."--Stephen J. Paterwic"This work offers a major contribution to Shaker history and to the study of women's struggle for equality. . . . Wergland's perceptive analysis of Shaker egalitarianism is a helpful approach to the ongoing feminist conversation regarding gender equality."--Choice"It is a major contribution to Shaker Studies and an intriguing peek into the daily round of a life that attracted many, challenged all, and defeated not a few. It is recommended to discerning librarians and students."--Missiology: An international review
