Shaker Cities of Peace, Love, and Union: A History of the Hancock Bishopric

The villages of the Hancock Shaker bishopric-Hancock and Tyrningham, Massachusetts, and Enfield, Connecticut-were founded by people attracted to the ecstatic worship services and the simple, dedicated way of life of the Shakers. As they grew and prospered, these communities produced a host of materials documenting their daily lives and spiritual struggles, and they left behind a rich historical archive. In her engaging history, Deborah Burns tells a story all too common in the Shaker experience: the initial enthusiasm of communities newly formed; the peace and hope wrought by individuals struggling together in a singular spiritual quest; and the slow decline of spiritual health as the communities prospered financially.