# Utopia: The Influential Classic - Hardcover

by **Thomas More** (Author), **Niall Kishtainy** (Introduction by), **Tom Butler-Bowdon** (Editor)

**What we can learn from a Renaissance nowhere**

In 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 16th 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.

In the form of a Platonic dialogue, _Utopia_ 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, _Utopia_ 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.

-   Explore the issues like feminism, euthanasia, and equality through Renaissance eyes
-   Early communist tract or a defense of medieval values? You decide.
-   Peer inside the enigmatic mind of the man who dared stand up to Henry VIII
-   Appreciate the postmodern possibilities of Platonic dialogue

Part of the bestselling _Capstone Classics_ series edited by Tom Butler-Bowdon, this edition features an introduction from writer, economist, and historian Niall Kishtainy.

### Front Jacket

OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE IN THE CLASSICS SERIES FROM CAPSTONE

**A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf,**  
978-0-857-08882-6

**Beyond Good and Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche,**  
978-0-857-08848-2

**Letters From a Stoic, Seneca,**  
978-1-119-75135-9

**Meditations, Marcus Aurelius,**  
978-0-857-08846-8

**On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin,**  
978-0-857-08847-5

**Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu,**  
978-0-857-08311-1

**The Art of War, Sun Tzu,**  
978-0-857-08009-7

**The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Frederick Engels,**  
978-0-857-08876-5

**The Game of Life and How to Play It, Florence Scovel Shinn,**  
978-0-857-08840-6

**The Interpretation of Dreams Sigmund Freud,**  
978-0-857-08844-4

**The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli,**  
978-0-857-08078-3

**The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran,**  
978-0-857-08855-0

**The Republic, Plato,**  
978-0-857-08313-5

**The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles,**  
978-0-857-08008-0

**The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith,**  
978-0-857-08077-6

**Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill,**  
978-1-906-46559-9

### Back Jacket

**DISCOVER THE ENDURING MYSTERY OF UTOPIA**

Since its original publication 500 years ago, _Utopia_ has been embraced by its readers as a timeless exploration of topics like money, property, crime, education, religious tolerance, euthanasia, and feminism. Consisting of a traveller' account of a newly discovered island in which the inhabitants share a common culture and way of life, _Utopia_ stood as a stark contrast to the poverty, crime, and corruption that characterised much of 16th century Europe.

For centuries, the concepts author Sir Thomas More shares in _Utopia_ have resonated with people around the globe.

### Author Biography

**SIR THOMAS MORE** was a rising intellectual star of Renaissance Europe. His brilliance made him an advisor and friend of King Henry VIII. More's _Utopia_ contrasts the squalor and brutal politics of the England of his time with a picture of a peaceful and prosperous society.  
  
**NIALL KISHTAINY** is a writer with interests in economics and in the history of ideas. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Warwick and has taught economic history at the London School of Economics. His most recent book, _A Little History of Economics_, was published by Yale University Press in 2017.  
  
**TOM BUTLER-BOWDEN** is Series Editor of the Capstone Classics series, and has provided introductions for Plato's _Republic_, Adam Smith's _Wealth of Nations_, Machiavelli's _The Prince_, Florence Scovel Shinn's _The Game of Life and How to Play It_, and Kahlil Gibran's _The Prophet_. A graduate of the London School of Economics, he is also the author of _50 Economics Classics_ (2017) and _50 Politics Classics_ (2015).  
  
**www.butler-bowdon.com**

**Number of Pages:** 240

**Dimensions:** 0.9 x 7.9 x 5.2 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** April 12, 2021

## Details

- **Price:** 11.95 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 11.95 USD | In stock |

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