An Assassin in Utopia: The True Story of a Nineteenth-Century Sex Cult and a President's Murder

A forgotten, astonishing chapter of American history is explored in this true crime odyssey, which leads the reader from a free-love community in upstate New York to the shocking assassination of President James Garfield. The Oneida Community, a small utopian colony, was known for its shocking sexual practices from 1848 to 1881, including open marriage and free love, and the sexual training of young boys by older women. Charles Julius Guiteau, a one-time member of the Oneida Community, assassinated President James Garfield in 1881. This book weaves together these explosive stories in a tale of utopian experiments, political machinations, and murder.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: Pegasus Books

This captivating true crime odyssey delves into a forgotten and astonishing chapter of American history, taking readers on a journey from a free-love community in upstate New York to the shocking assassination of President James Garfield. It was a paradise on earth, some whispered, and a devil's garden. Thousands flocked to this new Eden, carved from hundreds of acres of untamed woodland, marveling at orchards brimming with fruit, dense herds of Ayrshire cattle and Cotswold sheep, and bustling mills. They gawked at the people who called this place home, particularly the women, with their unconventional cropped hair and daringly short skirts. The men and women of this peculiar outpost lived and slept together, without sin, they claimed.

From 1848 to 1881, a small utopian colony in upstate New York, known as the Oneida Community, gained notoriety for its shocking sexual practices. These practices ranged from open marriages and free love to the sexual training of young boys by older women. In 1881, a former member of the Oneida Community, Charles Julius Guiteau, carried out the assassination of President James Garfield in a brutal crime that shook America to its core.

An Assassin in Utopia is the first book to seamlessly weave together these explosive stories in a tale of utopian experiments, political machinations, and murder. Written by bestselling author Susan Wels, this meticulously researched narrative delves into the true, interconnected stories of the Oneida Community and its radical founder, John Humphrey Noyes. It also explores the idolization of Horace Greeley, the eccentric newspaper publisher and founder of the New Yorker and the New York Tribune, and the enigmatic President James Garfield, who was assassinated after his first six months in office.

Juxtaposed to these narratives is the peculiar tale of Garfield's assassin, the demented Charles Julius Guiteau, who had connections to the Oneida Community. Guiteau's motives for the assassination remain a mystery, but his actions left a lasting impact on American history and continue to captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike.

The Oneida Community, founded in 1848 by Noyes, was a utopian society that sought to create a perfect community based on Christian principles. The community was located on a 2,000-acre plot of land in Oneida County, New York, and was known for its communal living arrangements, gender equality, and sexual freedom. Noyes believed that human relationships should be based on love and that sexual intimacy should be a natural and joyous part of life.

Under Noyes's leadership, the Oneida Community implemented a series of radical social reforms. They abolished private property, introduced communal ownership of goods and resources, and practiced open marriage and free love. The community also encouraged the sexual training of young boys by older women, a practice known as "***********."

Despite the community's progressive ideals, it was not without its challenges. Noyes's authoritarianism and strict rules led to tensions and conflicts within the community, and some members left in search of a more relaxed and tolerant lifestyle.

In 1881, Guiteau, a former member of the Oneida Community, assassinated President James Garfield. Guiteau was a mentally unstable man who believed that he was being divinely chosen to carry out the assassination. He shot Garfield twice in the back with a .44-caliber pistol, killing him instantly.

The assassination of President Garfield shocked America and sent shockwaves around the world. It was the first assassination of a U.S. president in over 50 years, and it raised questions about the security and stability of the American government.

The investigation into the assassination was led by Attorney General James A. Garfield, who was the brother of the slain president. Garfield's investigation revealed that Guiteau had been obsessed with the idea of assassinating President Garfield and had planned the crime for months. Guiteau was arrested and sentenced to death, but he was pardoned by President Chester A. Arthur on the condition that he spend the rest of his life in prison.

The assassination of President Garfield had a profound impact on American society. It led to increased scrutiny of the presidency and the government, and it helped to shape the modern American political system. It also highlighted the dangers of political extremism and the need for a strong and independent judiciary.

In conclusion, An Assassin in Utopia is a captivating true crime odyssey that delves into a forgotten and astonishing chapter of American history. It explores the shocking sexual practices of the Oneida Community, the assassination of President James Garfield, and the enigmatic story of Charles Julius Guiteau. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the book sheds light on the complex social, political, and cultural dynamics of the late 19th century and provides a valuable insight into the origins of American utopianism.

Weight: 376g
Dimension: 160 x 240 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781639363124