God Among the Shakers: The Search for Stillness and Faith at Sabbathday Lake

Author has a fluent, warm style; certainly not "journalistic" or "academic". Don't expect to learn much of value or pertinence about the historical United Society and its true uniqueness and achievment. But it is a marvelous insight into the social dynamics and culture of what purports to be an ember of the once blazing Kingdom. If the author doesn't know quite what she's looking for, neither do her hosts. God bless them all. It's a lovely read.

I grew up within fifteen miles of the Shaker community in New Lebanon, NY and spent countless hours at the Shaker Museum and Library in Old Chatham, NY, but I realized as I read this book that I new almost nothing about the surviving modern day Shakers. This was fascinating reading--the evolution of the Shakers and the boundary spanning that goes on between the members of the sect and members of the World is thought-provoking. I understand the author's fascination with the Shakers and her desire to see and participate in their world first-hand. I also understand her ultimate decision that the Shaker way was not a choice that she could make, but that she took important elements of that way back with her to her very contemporary life.This is an excellent book for those who are interested in America's utopian communities and how the roots of those communites are still present in our America.

An excellent, thoughtful and poignant examination of today's Shakers. Comparisons are made between current and historical beliefs with a focused personal view of the people who are Sabbathday Lake's Believers. I feel as if I know these people. And I like them. This book is a great read. Don't delay, buy it now.

I loved this book. It balances today's Christianity mentality against Shakerism's beliefs and lets you interpret your own way to finding peace in your life. I couldn't wait to read the conclusion, yet I didn't want it to end! It will leave your mind calm and your heart singing!