{"product_id":"utopia-the-influential-classic-9781119754381","title":"Utopia: The Influential Classic","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat we can learn from a Renaissance nowhere \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn 1516, a book was published in Latin with the enigmatic Greek-derived word as its title. Utopia--which could mean either \"good-place\" or \"no-place\"--gives a traveler's account of a newly discovered island somewhere in the New World where the inhabitants enjoy a social order based purely on natural reason and justice. As the traveler describes the harmony, prosperity, and equality found there, a dramatic contrast is drawn between the ideal community he portrays and the poverty, crime, and often frightening political conditions of 16\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century Europe. Written by Sir Thomas More (1477-1535)--then a rising intellectual star of the Renaissance and ultimately the advisor and friend of Henry VIII who was executed for his devoutly Catholic opposition to the king--Utopia is as complex as its author. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the form of a Platonic dialogue, \u003ci\u003eUtopia\u003c\/i\u003e explores topics such as money, property, crime, education, religious tolerance, euthanasia, and feminism. Claimed as a paean to communism (Lenin had More's name inscribed on a statue in Moscow) as often as it has been seen as a defense of traditional medieval values, \u003ci\u003eUtopia\u003c\/i\u003e began the lineage of utopian thinkers who use storytelling to explore new possibilities for human society--and remains as relevant today as when it was written in Antwerp 500 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eExplore the issues like feminism, euthanasia, and equality through Renaissance eyes \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEarly communist tract or a defense of medieval values? You decide. \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePeer inside the enigmatic mind of the man who dared stand up to Henry VIII \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAppreciate the postmodern possibilities of Platonic dialogue \u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart of the bestselling Capstone Classics series edited by Tom Butler-Bowdon, this edition features an introduction from writer, economist, and historian Niall Kishtainy. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Capstone\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/15\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781119754381\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240","brand":"Thomas More","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38471824605365,"sku":"9781119754381","price":10.16,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_8841fdf2-fa56-4e5c-b4f9-6d91dd96f936.jpg?v=1612932377","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/utopia-the-influential-classic-9781119754381","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}