Product Description

In 1831 Tocqueville set out from post-revolutionary France on a journey across America that would take him 9 months and cover 7,000 miles. The result was DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA: a subtle and prescient analysis of the life and institutions of 19th-century America. Tocqueville's study of the strengths and weaknesses of an evolving democratic society has been quoted by every American president since Eisenhower. It remains a key point of reference for any discussion of the American nation or the democratic system.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #181825 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 992 pages

About the Author
The French sociologist and historian, Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-59) was active in the law and served for a time as foreign minister. He also wrote L'Ancien Régime. Gerald Bevan is the translator. Issac Kramnick is Professor of Government at Cornell and edited The Federalist Papers for Penguin.

Customer Reviews

The best translation yet
How amazing that this book is so up-to-date about America, its attitude to religion, foreign affairs, women, education, race relations, the presidency and government! Gerald Bevan's new translation covers the famous text together with the accounts of Tocqueville's two excursions in America. This translation reflects the fluency of the original French and is, in my opinion, by far the best version to chose for this century.

The greatest book ever written about America
This is a truly outstanding work, which was written in the 1830s but still has much to teach us about democracy and about America. If those two subjects were better understood today the world would be a far pleasanter place to live! In the course of his enquiry Tocqueville examines history, legal and political systems, the economy, the arts, relationships between the races and much more, in what amounts to a general reflection on human institutions under democracy. Everyone should read this book, not only Americans or those interested in America, as the need for urgent reflection on the democratic project goes much wider. And in fact, one could say that the work itself is democratic in the sense that it is jargon-free and a pleasure to read, and thus accessible to (nearly) all. Of course, no one thinker sees everything, but this is a major contribution to understanding human societies, on the way to improving them.

A classic text, enchantingly unravelled
Gerald Bevan's translation of this classic text, offers the grandeur of de Tocqueville such elegant simplicity that it restores vitality to an already vital text.

Enough has been said in the other reviews listed here, to convince any reader of the merits of adding this book to their bedside table, with this edition finally they have the companion to illuminate the wisdom of the work with a the skill of a master craftsmen.