Ann the Word: The Life of Mother Ann Lee, Founder of the Shakers

by Nardi Reeder Campion

A biography of Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers.

Genres: History

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Abigail Buritica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann Lee was possessed of a great force of personality. This concise little biography, meticulously researched, is a fantastic introduction into Shaker history. It also pairs nicely with the 2025 film. While occasionally textbook-like in tone, I found Ann the Word to be a compelling narrative of one of the odder episodes of American religious history.

[Jillian Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so fascinated by Ann Lee. The beginning of this book was easy for me to get through as it followed her directly. The later chapters lost my interest a bit as the author shared Shaker details from after Ann’s death. A short a simple overview of Ann Lee and the Shakers nonetheless!

[Sharon Zink · Rating 3 out of 5]

This hagiography isn't exactly unbiased. Nevertheless, it is easy to read.

[Tamra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ann Lee has always fascinated me. So I finally read a book about her.

This book is not a masterpiece. It's like the bare bones version of what you need to know to come away with a basic understanding of Ann Lee's life and the foundation of the Shaker religion. I appreciated, however, that I didn't have to research all the historical accounts myself--it's a nice compilation.

Also to be noted about the book: the author, a woman, has a CLEAR second agenda with this book. And frankly, her blatant feminism gets a little annoying. Not even the 10 Commandments are spared insult.

Having said that, Ann Lee is a fascinating historic figure, with or without any agendas and poetic prose.

I have a hard time completely rejecting Ann Lee and her message without a second thought, because the founding religion stories are similar to the foundation of Mormonism stories which are part of my Mormon culture. I identified strongly with the stories of divine revelation, atypical religious views, the anger of other religious leaders, persecution, hardship while trying to establish Zion on the earth, miracles and healings performed by believers, and a dynamic and charismatic founding leader--even a magnetic person who inspired intense loyalty. ... Skipping out on the details, these are also Mormon tales. So I can't say something like "Ann Lee was crazy" without admitting that Joseph Smith may have been, too.

Whatever Ann Lee was or wasn't, she definitely was fascinating. Any woman who declares herself the female embodiment of Christ, and can convince thousands of people to believe the same, is by my definition fascinating.

I admire her intense determination to live a good life, even if it was a little too intense for my liking, and even if I disagree with her definition of what a good life is. I'll keep my happy marriage and "sexual love," thank you very much.

Shakerism is now down to a handful of people (12 were left in 1976, all women, and the youngest was 42 years old). Ann Lee prophesied that when membership was down to 5 people there would be a revival. For anyone interested in starting a religious revival--the time is now!

Favorite teaching of Ann Lee:
"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as often as you can, to all the people you can."

Amen, Sister Lee.

[booklady]

Thanks Krista!