"A lively and often entertaining account. In Wayland-Smith's extended chronicle, we see utopia as it sails through the world, assaulted on all sides by the forces of assimilation and greed."-- The New Yorker "Wayland-Smith is a gifted writer. Her lively account of how Oneida eventually succumbed to 'the gods of Science and Doubt' is a welcome change from most 'as told by' family histories."-- The New York Times Book Review "Remarkable. a detailed, riveting account."-- The Guardian "Lively.[Wayland-Smith's] nuanced and empathetic book vividly captures the spirit of a brief historical moment.

"-- The Boston Globe "[A] fascinating, beautifully-told history."-- The New Republic "An incredible story."--WBUR's Here and Now "An intimate, quirky family portrait."-- The Nation "A gimlet-eyed book about Wayland-Smith's family history."-- Gawker "Drawing from letters, diaries, newsletters, and family stories, the author, an original-family descendant, adds inside information to this retelling of a radical movement's transformation in the shifting current of American ideals. The narrative is engaging and detailed. This is a must-read for those interested in American social history, and should have broad appeal." --Booklist (starred review) "[An] impressively thorough and engaging work.

This book is a fascinating look into the strange history of Oneida silverware and how its origins reflect an exhilarating period of American history." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "This compelling narrative seamlessly threads the unlikely alliance between a 'free love utopia' and a household brand name. Fans of Joseph Ellis and David McCullough will appreciate this engrossing entry." --Library Journal (starred review) "The spotlight Wayland-Smith shines on this remarkable community's beginnings and ending offers a riveting glimpse into the quintessentially American early-19th-century struggle with the rights of the individual and separation of church and state. A smartly contextualized tale of 'the tension between radical social critique and unapologetic accommodation.between communal harmony and individual striving.'"-- Kirkus Reviews.