Encyclopedia of American Communes, 1663-1963

If you have any interest at all in "utopian" communities prior to those established since the 1960's (i.e., the "Hippie" era), you MUST get this 1998 book. Considering that you can get used copies for only $1, this is an astonishing bargain. It lists 516 communes (or "utopian societies"/"intentional communities," if you prefer), ranging from the very early (e.g., Bohemia Manor; Women of the Wilderness) to recent ones such as Synanon and Tolstoy Farm. It even has a helpful appendix that lists them ordered by their year of formation (and includes the date of their demise, if applicable). The size of the individual entries varies from a single line, to several pages (e.g., Brook farm, Oneida). While many of larger and more famous societies (e.g., Amana, Fairhope, New Harmony) have a fair amount of literature about them, there are literally dozens or even hundreds that I have never seen mentioned in any other source. The individual entries list books and other sources that provide additional information, as well. Combined with Robert S. Fogarty's Dictionary of American Communal and Utopian History and the most recent edition of the Fellowship for Intentional Community's Communities Directory, 2007: A Comprehensive Guide to Intentional Communities and Cooperative Living, you'll have a very comprehensive "mini-library" of information about such communities.