The Obsolete Necessity; America in Utopian Writings, 1888-1900

The Obsolete Necessity greatly expanded the canon of utopias during their Golden Era. Roemer examines insights offered about American attitudes ranging from equality and technology to gender and religion. The new Introduction incorporates insights from an expanded canon and concludes with speculations about creating ＂influential＂ scholarship.

Kenneth M. Roemer (Harvard ’67, Penn ’71) Emeritus Fellow, University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers, is the author of four utopia books, including Utopian Audiences (2004), America as Utopia (1981), and the Pulitzernominated Obsolete Necessity (1976). Native literature books include his co-edited Cambridge Companion to Native American Literature (2005).