Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America (Loa #147): A New Translation by Arthur Goldhammer

By Alexis de Tocqueville, John C Spencer, Antonio Sánchez De Bustamante

Book Overview

An exclusive new translation of the most perceptive and influential book ever written about American politics and society--"the bible on democracy" (The Texas Observer)

This Library of America volume presents de Tocqueville's masterpiece in an entirely new translation--the first to fully capture his style and provide a rigorous, faithful rendering of his profound ideas and observations

Alexis de Tocqueville, a young aristocratic French lawyer, came to the United States in 1831 to study its penitentiary systems. His nine-month visit and subsequent reading and reflection resulted in this landmark masterpiece of political observation and analysis.

In Democracy in America, Tocqueville vividly describes the unprecedented social equality he found in America and explores its implications for European society in the emerging modern era. His book provides enduring insight into the political consequences of widespread property ownership, the potential dangers to liberty inherent in majority rule, the vital role of religion in American life, and the importance of civil institutions in an individualistic culture dominated by the pursuit of material self-interest. He also probes the deep differences between the free and slave states, writing prophetically of racism, bigotry, and prejudice in the United States.

Brought to life by Arthur Goldhammer's clear, fluid, and vigorous translation, this volume of Democracy in America is the first to fully capture Tocqueville's achievements both as an accomplished literary stylist and as a profound political thinker.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931082545
• ISBN13: 9781931082549
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Library of America
• Length: 928 Pages
• Weight: 1.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Helps Americans make sense of themselves....

...and others understand Americans. I was required to read this book for a college course and was actually dreading its seemingly tedious discourses on a myriad of subjects. After diving in, however, I discovered something totally different was contained. One thing sorely lacking from education in grades K-12 is REALITY. As children we are indoctrinated with the idea of American supremacy to all other nations. I can understand instilling love in one's country, but we're being brainwashed here! After going through college I began to wrestle with the inherent contradictions of American thinking. This book systematically handles many of those issues and really helps American citizens realize how we've gotten ourselves where we are today (filthy rich & hated throughout the world.) I don't hate America, just a lot of what the government does. this book will greatly expand your way of thinking on various subjects. If taught in the proper manner, this book will shatter conventional concepts of America. Forget all that other crap we had to read in school...this should be required reading. It handles everything from economics, art, gender issues, etc....a classic.

Great Book.

This is probably the best book on the history of American Government. I loved it. I highly recommend it.

kick ass

for any gov., hist., econ., soc., anth. student a must read