Democracy in America, Volume 2 (Vintage Classics) - Softcover

De Tocqueville, Alexis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0679728260 ISBN 13: 9780679728269

Publisher: Vintage, 1990

Synopsis

Volume 2 of the classic commentary on the influence of democracy on the intellect, feelings, and actions of Americans. With an introduction by Phillips Bradley.

About this title

Review:

Democracy in America is the classic analysis of America's unique political character, quoted heavily by politicians and perennially popping up on history professors' reading lists. The book's enduring appeal lies in the eloquent, prophetic voice of Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859), a French aristocrat who visited the United States in 1831. A thoughtful young man in a still-young country, he succeeded in penning this penetrating study of America's people, culture, history, geography, politics, legal system, and economy. Tocqueville asserts, "I confess that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or hope from its progress."

In addition to a brilliant, perceptive outline of "the philosophical method of the Americans," Volume II of Democracy in America includes the oddly modern-sounding "Why the Americans Are So Restless in the Midst of Their Prosperity," the surprising and provocative "How Americans Understand the Equality of the Sexes," and the more archaic "The Study of Greek and Latin is Peculiarly Useful in Democratic Communities." This edition--which many consider the best--contains the Henry Reeve text, revised by Francis Bowen, and further edited with introduction, editorial notes, and bibliographies by Phillips Bradley.

About the Author:

Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859) was a French politician and theorist. He wrote Democracy in America after visiting the United States during which he observed various elements of the prison system. He continued on to serve in the French parliament and also wrote many works, including The Old Regime and the Revolution.

About this edition

• Publisher: Vintage
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0679728260
• ISBN 13: 9780679728269
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 528