Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy's GuideAlexis de Tocqueville was among the first foreigners to recognize the potential of a new land called the United States. His classic work Democracy in America, first published in 1835, was not only a vivid portrait of the new nation, but also a startlingly accurate forecast of its future. From the influence of evangelical Christianity to the advent of our “consumer society,” many of de Tocqueville’s predictions have come true. Bestselling author Joseph Epstein revisits de Tocqueville’s legacy, providing a fresh account of his classic travels in America. Epstein explains how de Tocqueville, introverted and prone to self-doubt, arrived at such a profoundly influential interpretation of this new country and its government. Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy’s Guide is a compelling portrait of the Frenchman who would become an American icon. Joseph Epstein is the author of, among other books, Snobbery: The American Version, Fabulous Small Jews (a collection of stories), Envy, and Friendship: An Exposé. He was the editor of The American Scholar between 1974 and 1997, and for many years taught in the English Department at Northwestern University. His essays and stories have appeared in the New Yorker, Commentary, the Atlantic Monthly, and other magazines. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abbé Lesueur Académie Française active political Alexis de Tocqueville Ameri aristocracy Assembly become believe career central Chamber of Deputies coup d'état Democracy in America democratic doubt Édouard election Eminent Lives England English equality fear feeling fellow deputies felt France François Furet French Revolution George George Wilson Pierson Gobineau Hervé de Tocqueville human ideas intellectual interest Jardin Joseph Epstein July Revolution later laws less letter liberty Louis de Kergorlay Louis-Napoléon Louis-Philippe Madame Swetchine mind minister monarchy moral Nassau Senior nation nature never noted Old Regime Paris passion philosophes precisely predicted president prison reason Recollections religion religious republic revolutionary Royer-Collard second volume seemed served social society soul spirit things thought tion Tocque Tocqueville and Beaumont Tocqueville wrote Tocqueville's trip true truth tyranny United volume of Democracy writes young