This book investigates the historical trajectory and physical remnants of intentional communities in the American West to determine if utopian visions can be sustained within the broader context of modern society. Paul Kagan, a researcher and photographer, utilizes a combination of archival discovery and original field photography to document the rise and fall of various communal experiments. By examining groups ranging from religious sects to political collectives, the author provides a framework for understanding the motivations and eventual outcomes of those who sought to establish alternative social structures.

Experts and readers frequently cite this work as a unique visual archive that captures the physical reality of utopian experiments that have otherwise vanished from public memory. The text is noted for its balance of historical narrative and evocative photography, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the intersection of American history and social architecture.