The Story of Utopias
What is The Story of Utopias about?
The Story of Utopias (1922) is Lewis Mumford’s first book, a survey of utopian thought from Plato’s Republic through Thomas More, Francis Bacon, and the 19th-century utopian socialists to H.G. Wells and modern city planning. Mumford examines how each utopian vision reflects its era’s hopes and anxieties, and argues that utopian thinking is essential for social progress even when specific utopias fail. The book established Mumford’s characteristic approach: combining intellectual history with practical social criticism, and insisting that ideas about the good society must connect to the real conditions of human life.
Main themes in The Story of Utopias
Utopian thought
The Story of Utopias thoughtfully explores utopian thought through its central conflicts.
Intellectual history
Intellectual history emerges as a defining element in The Story of Utopias, shaping character development.
Social criticism
Social criticism emerges as a defining element in The Story of Utopias, shaping character development.
City planning
The theme of city planning weaves through The Story of Utopias, adding depth to its narrative.
Why The Story of Utopias is still relevant today
The Story of Utopias remains an excellent introduction to utopian thought and to Mumford’s method of connecting intellectual history with practical social criticism.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Story of Utopias about?
A survey of utopian thought from Plato to H.G. Wells, examining how visions of ideal societies reflect their era’s hopes and anxieties.
Is it academic?
Mumford writes accessibly for a general audience, combining intellectual history with practical social observation.
Does it propose a utopia?
Rather than proposing one, Mumford argues that utopian thinking itself is essential for social progress.
Can I read it free online?
Yes, the complete text is available free on TextStack.