Another Life Is Possible: Insights from 100 Years of Life Together

Celebrating a century of Christian communal living, this oversized volume is filled with photo-essays describing the lives and contributions of past and present residents of Bruderhof, which translates to “place of brothers.” This now international community was first started in the early 1900s by one Eberhard Arnold, a German philosophy student, and gradually gained adherents in Germany, England, Paraguay, and Australia. The members practice Christian pacifism, do not own private property, share communal meals, and have other Christian-compatible practices. Photographer Danny Burrows illustrates ten chapters with images of society participants organized by the goals of this movement. A Korean family expresses their joy at leaving their possessions and busy work-life to follow a lifestyle that money can’t buy. Colorful photos of other participants, each framed in the communal setting, highlights the pages. And so, the photos beautifully play on the basic tenets of this Christian setting showing how they work for a purpose, seek peace, share their faith, practice charity, work together in sickness and health, and indulge in other societal functions. The photographs of the participants and the communal backdrops convey the impression of a contented and happy Christian society representing members of all ages and from varying backgrounds. It is a laudable centennial presentation for this community that also serves to introduce this group to the general public.