Two years before America declared its independence, a tiny band of religious pilgrims arrived on our shores seeking their chosen life in this, their chosen land. From the very start, despite persecution and violence, the Shakers compelled our young nation to uphold its founding principles of freedom of religion and equality for all. By dedicating “hands to work, hearts to God,” they have left an indelible mark upon American society. . . . the impact of the Shakers is alive everywhere people of faith come together in small gatherings for worship and religious discussion. Open the pages of this wonderful book, and you will feel “that barely perceptible, yet undeniable, pull of an invisible almighty tide.
With only one Shaker community still in existence, it is an important
time to look at the faith, philosophy, and way of life of those
who chose to pursue a spiritual life that was also very much a
driving force in daily work and living. In Chosen
Faith, Chosen Land, Jeannine Lauber explores that
life, weaving together proprietary Shaker quotations, interviews,
and glorious photographs. The result is a book that pierces a multitude
of popular myths and misconceptions—and proves that the Shaker
faith abides to this day. In a volume that places the topics of
faith, community, work, and worship in the context of Shaker history
and current developments on the American religious landscape, Lauber
also proves that the contemporary Shaker community has become surprisingly
outward reaching.
Chosen Faith, Chosen Land
The Untold Story of America's 21st Century Shakers
Jeannine Lauber, Author
Published by 
Hard cover, 11" x 8.5"
200 pages, 150+ color photos.
Price: $30.00, plus tax and S&H
To view a sample of Chosen Faith, Chosen Land on-line,
Click HERE to
see "Flipbook" version provided by our friends at Down East.
This photograph is one of several images from a 1905 "Connecticut Magazine" article (Vol. 9, NO 4) about ritualized dance movements used during Shaker worship. The article, "Spirituality Expressed In Song," illustrates late 19th century Shaker dance, which was dramatically different from the wild and unencumbered "shaking" of late 18th century Shaker worship. Click on the image to learn more about Shaker "ecstatic worship." The link will take you to an excerpt from "Chosen Faith, Chosen Land" featured in the February 2010 issue of Down East Magazine.
Book Reviews
- National Endowment for the Humanities
"Preachers of Peace" - Maine Humanities Council
"A modern perspective...debunks popular misconceptions." - Portland Press Herald
"An intriguing blend of scholarship, advocacy and memoir."
"Two books in one...replete with lush photos." - Boston Globe
"An intimate and sweeping view..." - Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram
"Open the doors and see all the people" - The Independent
Feature Article - Amazon.com
"Gorgeous book, gripping story . . ." - Capital Weekly
Feature Article - Lakes Region Weekly
"A Faith Community Revealed"