Commune Life

Commune Life examines the history and development of intentional communities in North America from the 1960s through the 1990s. The book details first-hand accounts and research about daily life, social structures, and challenges within various communes. Miller documents specific communities across the United States, focusing on their founding principles, economic models, and interpersonal dynamics. His research includes interviews with commune members, analysis of community documents, and observations from site visits. The work explores how different communes approached issues like property ownership, decision-making processes, family structures, and relationships with surrounding communities. Miller presents both successful and failed communes to illustrate the various factors that influenced their longevity. The book serves as a sociological window into an important chapter of American counterculture, revealing how alternative social experiments both challenged and reflected mainstream society. The text raises questions about human nature, community, and the practical limits of utopian ideals.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this academic book about intentional communities. The main feedback comes from scholars and researchers rather than general readers. Readers appreciated: - Comprehensive historical records of communes from 1960-2000 - Documentation of both successful and failed communities - Clear organization by themes like economics, leadership, and sexuality - Inclusion of primary source materials and firsthand accounts Common criticisms: - Academic writing style can be dry - Focus on historical facts over analysis - Limited coverage of modern communes post-2000 Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating WorldCat: 4 libraries hold the title One reviewer in Contemporary Sociology noted the book "fills an important gap in documenting late 20th century communal movements" while a Journal of American History review mentioned it "could benefit from deeper examination of why certain communes succeeded or failed." The book appears primarily used as an academic reference rather than for general reading.

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🌿 Timothy Miller has spent over 40 years studying intentional communities and is considered one of the foremost scholars in the field of communal studies. 🏘️ The book examines how successful communes handle crucial aspects like decision-making, leadership, economics, and conflict resolution, drawing from hundreds of historical and contemporary examples. 🕊️ Many of the communes featured were founded during the "communal renaissance" of the 1960s and 1970s, when an estimated 100,000 Americans were living in communes. 📚 The research includes analysis of both religious and secular communes, from the Shakers of the 18th century to modern ecovillages and cohousing communities. 🤝 The longest-surviving commune in North America is the Hutterite community, which has maintained continuous communal living since 1528 and now has over 50,000 members.