Shaker: Life, Work and Art by June Sprigg and David Larkin

The Shakers or Believers, a celibate 19th century utopian community, have deeded their tradition of simplicity to American culture, most notably in the functional design of their daily routine. Today, Shaker boxes and furnishings are prized collectibles. In this handsomely designed and lavishly illustrated (200 color photographs) survey of Shaker communities, the full flowering of founder Ann Lee's dissidence from the Anglican Church may be viewed. Once numbering nearly 6,000 members, today fewer than a dozen brethren and sisters remain in two of the original 19 communities; Canterbury, N.H., and Sabbathday Lake, Maine. The even tenor of willingly regulated lives is evoked in the hour-by-hour inventory of a Shaker's day that opens the book. Then follows a simply written history of communal life centered on excellent, simple work and dance worship. Photographs of Shaker handiworkoval boxes, chairs, angel foodcapture this essence. BOMC featured bonus; Better Homes & Gardens Crafts Club selection; Interior Design Book Club bonus selection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
Shaker: Life, Work and Art is a beautiful book. I first saw acopy several years ago and was disappointed to learn that thehardcover version was out of print. The book has short narrative sections that provide Insight into Shaker history, work, and communal and spiritual life. One section captures a "typical" day in the life of the Brethren and Sisters. The enlarged font is easy on the eyes and the top of each narrative page is headed by the famous Shaker wall pegs. The narrative sections are separated by numerous pages of high quality, well-captioned color photographs of Shaker crafts, furniture, and architecture. Lots of beautiful pictures! The Shakers legacy still seems to have a profound impact on our contemporary lives in spite of (or perhaps because of) the simplicity of their work and their unusual communal way of life. Although this book does not present a comprehensive history of the Shakers, it does an admirable job of providing an Insight into the lives of these interesting people. This book is deserving of any coffee table and should get a lot of attention in your household. END

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