Utopia (Burnet translation)

This classic from 1516, that introduced the word "Utopia" into the English language was a fascinating read. More begins by having a fictional character explain all of the problems in "modern-day" England, Enclosures, laws that protect the rich, laws that prevent the free movement of the populace, excessive punishment for crimes, wealth disparity, etc. The second half of the book describes Utopia. An imaginary city whose name was coined from Greek and literally means "no place". In More's mythical land of nowhere, I honestly cannot tell if he is writing his ideal world, or if he is intentionally writing a stinging satire that pokes fun at many popular "solutions" to poverty, inequality, wealth disparity, labor shortages, etc. To me, Utopia is a hideous dystopia which is maintained through slavery, ignorance, and the cruel oppression of anyone who wants change, or doesn't fit in. Obviously, I see connections between Utopia and the ideal world so many believe in and triy very hard to create.

Interesting listen and well narrated. Amazing how well thought out the whole thing is. Might work as a society if humans weren’t so damn independent

This book was written by my great great great so on grandfather sir Thomas more from my mothers side . I read his book after my mum linked my unexplainable passion for astronomy and social philosophy sciences and who I in the family I possibly could have inherited my interests and then I learned from my mum the story . So I was thrilled to find he wrote a book so u could get to know him so to speak and myself proudly over so much of the shared ideals , he saw the big picture. I would have liked to have lived in a time shared as to have met such an interesting blood relative as sir Thomas is still till this day. Very proud .

Idealistic and sometimes laughable, this book does a good job of putting into words all the things progressives say they want in a society but don't always have the capacity to communicate. I chuckled as I listened, realizing that their perfect society is contingent on the acceptance of a strong national idea of religion, nationalism, a strong military, and secure borders.