The A to Z of the Shakers
"The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, commonly known as the Shakers, followed Mother Ann Lee to the United States in 1774 when life in England became too difficult. Here they established several colonies whose governing principles included celibacy and agrarian communal living. Even at its peak, however, Shakerism claimed only about 4,500 members. Today, except for one active community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine, the great villages are diminished, but the Shakers made an enduring impact on the religion and culture of the United States." "The A to Z of the Shakers relates the history of this fascinating group through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and more than 200 cross-referenced dictionary entries on Shaker communities, industries, individual families, and important people. Every definition, biography, and point of history was submitted to the Shakers at Sabbathday Lake for their review before being included for publication. As such, the voice of contemporary Shakers is found in this dictionary, and they have given it their unequivocal endorsement."--Jacket
Print Book, English, 2009
Scarecrow Press, Lanham, Md., 2009