Thanks to Planet Nude, and Brett Marcus Cook, for another instance of educating nudists on our heritage. I will put the book on my reading list; in the meantime, this is a great shortcut to context.
Am I alone in not wanting to read the book? I took the liberty of some light research after reading the article and Ungewitter was also quite anti-feminist, anti-queer, etc. While some comment that attitudes like this are time- or culture-bound, I think that is undermining those who do stand against these blights.
I'm glad the book is available for those who are interested, though. Artefacts can be helpful in understanding the shape of some histories.
It's important to look at our history, warts and all. Ignoring the problems of nudism's past takes away our ability to learn from and hopefully prevent similar problems in the future. There are also good parts of nudist history found alongside the bad, and we do ourselves and our movement a disservice if we turn away from them just because we don't like other historical facts. The book Nakedness needs to be looked at in the context of its time, not to excuse its faults, but so we can learn from the better thoughts of our early leaders.
Hmm. I believe this is similar to what I expressed about being glad the book is available for those interested. I can know without reading both that there are things I will disagree with and also that there is a role that it plays as history. I can hold those both and make a choice without expunging history nor preventing others from reading it. I can choose to read and focus on other historical topics so that the diversity continues to shape individuals and broadens understanding. My choices are meaningful and also not reductive.
Thanks for this review. I would have bought the translated version except the shipping cost to UK more than doubles the cost. I did look at the online version in German and it seems very much of its time reflecting the social revolutionary ideas of the late nineteenth century in central Europe. When I first discovered nudism as a young teen it was because of reading about the pioneers of nudism in Europe. Oh, how I wanted to experience it! Unfortunately I was growing up in a culture that was commercialising nakedness and my parents' prudery was empowered by the orchestrated fear of sex that has been successful in driving honest nudism back into the closet...
I enjoy history, even when the history is off putting or antithetical to my own personal beliefs. As a naturist, I’m always curious as to how things evolved over time, what connected, what didn’t. But sometimes, as is the case here, it’s hard to recognize what I know as naturism in a particular authors words.
What I’m always interested to see however, is how much of naturism’s early roots were in health, well being, diet, fitness, etc. So much of today’s focus is on recreation. I think that has evolved to an over emphasis, translating to many “naturist curious” as a largely sedentary activity rather than part of a life philosophy. In other words, naturism became something you do now and again for fun vs part of who you are and how you approach life. I don’t think that evolution particularly helps naturisms longevity and popularity.
Really a great post. I was totally unaware of this pioneer book about nudism. I will surely see that I will have this book in my personal library. Sincere thanks to Planet Nude..
An excellent overview of Ungewitter who is certainly a very important figure in the history of naturism. But was he really the first? What about Heinrich Pudor (a.k.a. Scham) who published "Nacktende Mensch" (Nude Man) in 1893 and "Nacktkultur" (Nude Culture) in 1906? The first book pre-dates Ungewitter's and the second is published in the same year.
I believe that nudists can find better "father" figures for the founder of the philosophy. Ungewitter was cited for plagiarism at the time of his publication as he quoted far too liberally from others' works without credit. He later pushed ideas that became popular with key Nazi party members. He was against Jews and not kind toward women. If you look at the six key points that Cec Cider makes, which comprise "The Nudist Idea", Ungewitter's 1906 book only addresses one of them.
I provided an hour talk on "Nakedness" for The Naturist Society Foundation in 2023 and members can access that recording if they are interested in learning more. Thank you for your thought providing article. More needs to be written about Ungewitter and what he really did and stood for.
I don't feel that the intent of the post was to promote Ungewitter as the ideal father figure, merely to raise awareness of him. Like it or not, he was there at the beginning of nudism and is important. He had his faults, and nudism has its faults because we are all human and so our movements have faults. We need to acknowledge our mistakes and move toward a truly enlightened and ethical nudist culture. We should read Ungewitter, but with clear eyes.
Mark, I appreciate your reply. Yes, you were sharing historic information about Ungewitter and his role. Many have provided similar commentary over the past century. I recognize he was a key person and his zeal moved nudism forward. At the same time, I do feel it is important to reflect on how others at the time felt about him, and to note that his work was built on the writings of others. I do think nudists, naturists, and free-beachers can point to others who contributed to the foundations of this social movement. Thanks for the article.
Solid post. More on origins, history, and philosophy of Naturist lifestyle
Thanks to Planet Nude, and Brett Marcus Cook, for another instance of educating nudists on our heritage. I will put the book on my reading list; in the meantime, this is a great shortcut to context.
Am I alone in not wanting to read the book? I took the liberty of some light research after reading the article and Ungewitter was also quite anti-feminist, anti-queer, etc. While some comment that attitudes like this are time- or culture-bound, I think that is undermining those who do stand against these blights.
I'm glad the book is available for those who are interested, though. Artefacts can be helpful in understanding the shape of some histories.
It's important to look at our history, warts and all. Ignoring the problems of nudism's past takes away our ability to learn from and hopefully prevent similar problems in the future. There are also good parts of nudist history found alongside the bad, and we do ourselves and our movement a disservice if we turn away from them just because we don't like other historical facts. The book Nakedness needs to be looked at in the context of its time, not to excuse its faults, but so we can learn from the better thoughts of our early leaders.
Hmm. I believe this is similar to what I expressed about being glad the book is available for those interested. I can know without reading both that there are things I will disagree with and also that there is a role that it plays as history. I can hold those both and make a choice without expunging history nor preventing others from reading it. I can choose to read and focus on other historical topics so that the diversity continues to shape individuals and broadens understanding. My choices are meaningful and also not reductive.
Thanks for this review. I would have bought the translated version except the shipping cost to UK more than doubles the cost. I did look at the online version in German and it seems very much of its time reflecting the social revolutionary ideas of the late nineteenth century in central Europe. When I first discovered nudism as a young teen it was because of reading about the pioneers of nudism in Europe. Oh, how I wanted to experience it! Unfortunately I was growing up in a culture that was commercialising nakedness and my parents' prudery was empowered by the orchestrated fear of sex that has been successful in driving honest nudism back into the closet...
I enjoy history, even when the history is off putting or antithetical to my own personal beliefs. As a naturist, I’m always curious as to how things evolved over time, what connected, what didn’t. But sometimes, as is the case here, it’s hard to recognize what I know as naturism in a particular authors words.
What I’m always interested to see however, is how much of naturism’s early roots were in health, well being, diet, fitness, etc. So much of today’s focus is on recreation. I think that has evolved to an over emphasis, translating to many “naturist curious” as a largely sedentary activity rather than part of a life philosophy. In other words, naturism became something you do now and again for fun vs part of who you are and how you approach life. I don’t think that evolution particularly helps naturisms longevity and popularity.
Thanks for the research and sharing it.
Really a great post. I was totally unaware of this pioneer book about nudism. I will surely see that I will have this book in my personal library. Sincere thanks to Planet Nude..
An excellent overview of Ungewitter who is certainly a very important figure in the history of naturism. But was he really the first? What about Heinrich Pudor (a.k.a. Scham) who published "Nacktende Mensch" (Nude Man) in 1893 and "Nacktkultur" (Nude Culture) in 1906? The first book pre-dates Ungewitter's and the second is published in the same year.
I believe that nudists can find better "father" figures for the founder of the philosophy. Ungewitter was cited for plagiarism at the time of his publication as he quoted far too liberally from others' works without credit. He later pushed ideas that became popular with key Nazi party members. He was against Jews and not kind toward women. If you look at the six key points that Cec Cider makes, which comprise "The Nudist Idea", Ungewitter's 1906 book only addresses one of them.
I provided an hour talk on "Nakedness" for The Naturist Society Foundation in 2023 and members can access that recording if they are interested in learning more. Thank you for your thought providing article. More needs to be written about Ungewitter and what he really did and stood for.
I don't feel that the intent of the post was to promote Ungewitter as the ideal father figure, merely to raise awareness of him. Like it or not, he was there at the beginning of nudism and is important. He had his faults, and nudism has its faults because we are all human and so our movements have faults. We need to acknowledge our mistakes and move toward a truly enlightened and ethical nudist culture. We should read Ungewitter, but with clear eyes.
Mark, I appreciate your reply. Yes, you were sharing historic information about Ungewitter and his role. Many have provided similar commentary over the past century. I recognize he was a key person and his zeal moved nudism forward. At the same time, I do feel it is important to reflect on how others at the time felt about him, and to note that his work was built on the writings of others. I do think nudists, naturists, and free-beachers can point to others who contributed to the foundations of this social movement. Thanks for the article.