4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How a Stubborn Young Man's Defense of the Shakers Proved Prophetic, August 3, 2008
This review is from: Gather Up the Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection (Hardcover)
You can hardly walk through a mall these days without hearing some form of "Simple Gifts" cycling through the soundtrack. And, the graceful yet functional lines of Shaker-designed furnishings now are mainstays in many American homes. Yet, most Americans know very little about this Utopian group that truly was among the great contributors to our national culture.
If you visit one of the restored historical sites that once housed Shaker families, you're likely to walk away with a paperback like "The People Called Shakers," by Edward Andrews. But, even after reading the paperback, you won't know the larger and far more dramatic story of Andrews' (and his wife Faith Andrews') passion for preserving the art and spiritual message of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, as the Shakers formally called themselves.
This coffee-table-style book, lavishly illustrated with color photographs, presents that larger story. It's part of a traveling exhibit, drawn from the Andrews collection, which will visit various historical sites over the next couple of years.
The key to the Andrews' contribution really couldn't be properly evaluated until now, I think. As a journalist myself who has specialized in reporting on American religious life for more than 20 years - with a special focus on Shakers through most of those years - I think it's only in this era of "spiritual rebirth" in America that the Andrews' passion and achievements can properly be understood and appreciated.
First of all, "Ted" Andrews began collecting and preserving endangered Shaker pieces in an era when they were considered "low" art at best. So-called experts, when he began to build his collection before World War II, regarded such hand-made, functional items as historical artifacts perhaps worth documenting. The art world was an entire conceptual universe away from its current fascination with such fusions of handicrafts and spiritual insight.
What's more, "Ted" Andrews staunchly believed - in sharp contrast to most developers of historical sites in the mid-20th Century -- that Shaker sites should be preserved primarily for their spiritual value. At least, spiritual themes should be presented on par with gee-whiz exhibitions of artifacts. Initially, this seemed like a crazy notion to many experts and Andrews seemed like a rather bull-headed fellow. But, in today's cultural light, Andrews now appears to have been the prophetic visionary.
If you care about this chapter of American history and this niche within global spirituality, this new Yale University book is a must-own volume on our collective Shaker legacy.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Photographs exhibit the craft of the shakers in every detail..., October 13, 2008
This review is from: Gather Up the Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection (Hardcover)
This is an excellent catalogue of an extensive collection of Shaker artifacts of all kind; clothing, fabrics, furniture, tools, machines, and so much more.
The photographs exhibit the craft of the shakers in every detail. The color captured in some of the pieces provided a pleasant surprise!
It's a beautiful book.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Shaker book, December 8, 2011
This review is from: Gather Up the Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection (Hardcover)
I have been a shaker collector for many years. I have many books on Shaker and shaker goods. This book is a wonderful addition to my book collection. It has amazing photos and gives excellent renditions of shaker. Educational and entertaining is what makes a good book and this does both. I recently went to see this collection at the museum and that was amazing. Can't wait to visit a Shaker museum community again. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the Shakers and their goods.
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