From the sex-free paradise of the Shakers to the workers paradise of Marx; utopian ideas seem to have two things in common--they all are wonderfully plausible at the start and they all end up as disasters. In Visions of Utopia; three leading cultural critics--Edward Rothstein; Martin Marty; and Herbert Muschamp--look at the history of utopian thinking; exploring why they fail and why they are still worth pursuing. Edward Rothstein; New York Times cultural critic; contends that every utopia is really a dystopia--a disaster in the making--one that overlooks the nature of humanity and the impossibilities of paradise. He traces the ideal in politics and technology and suggests that only in art--and especially in music--does the desire for utopia find satisfaction. Martin Marty examines several models of utopia--from Thomas Mores to a 1960s experimental city that he helped to plan--to show that; even though utopias can never be realized; we should not be too quick to condemn them. They can express dimensions of the human spirit that might otherwise be stifled and can plant ideas that may germinate in more realistic and practical soil. And Herbert Muschamp; the New York Times architectural critic; looks at Utopianism as exemplified in two different ways: the Buddhist tradition and the work of visionary Viennese architect Adolph Loos. Utopian thinking embodies humanitys noblest impulses; yet it can lead to horrors such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Regime. In Visions of Utopia; these leading thinkers offer an intriguing look at the paradoxes of paradise.
#2514366 in eBooks 2003-02-06 2003-02-06File Name: B000S1L5DM
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Decoupage patternsBy Annie M daffodilsThese are pretty and colorful patterns. They are "dated" in the sense that they are patterns that were popular probably a century ago. Some of this I find odd (like childrens heads popping out of flowers and fruits) but there arent too many of those and maybe some people like children "emerging" from fruits and flowers! All around a good selection; I would think most people would find much to their liking in these designs.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A beautiful resource!By Mariangela BuchMs Graftons book is an excellent and colorful resource that all lovers of decoupage must own. The size of the graphics vary and the images are usually quite clear and colorful. There is no shortage of colors; sizes; shapes; and varieties of fruits and flowers. The quality of the paper is glossy and easy to cut and paste. I highly recommend this book.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Fabulous colourBy One Fancy AngelI am a huge fan of Carol Belanger Grafton; and this book of images is part of the reason why. The images are beautifully rendered; very clear; and have magnificent colour. I am using these; and others of hers; for both decoupage and scrapbooking. They are so lovely that just paging through the book is inspiring.