020 - Chapter XIX

Aristopia, published in 1895, presents a captivating alternative history that imagines how North America could have evolved under the leadership of a single visionary, Ralph Morton. Wealthy and altruistic, Morton dreams of creating a state that serves the needs of all its citizens. This novel-length work, which stands as the first of its genre, is crafted not as fiction but as an unvarnished historical narrative. While only a few passages evoke the fiery idealism of its founder, those that do resonate powerfully. Drawing heavily from primary sources like Captain John Smiths Journal and echoing Mores Utopia, Newtons narrative illustrates how the continents vast resources could have transformed the lives of the impoverished and disenfranchised of Europe, rather than enriching a select few. Yet, in the spirit of his time, he largely overlooks the displacement of the native populations that would accompany Mortons Commonwealth. (Summary by Ruth Golding)