Customer Reviews

Democracy, Esther, Mont Saint Michel and Chartres, The Education of Henry Adams

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While Adams novels (Democracy and Esther) may be lightweight, the other two works included in this volume are two of the best non-fiction American books ever. Adams has the kind of intellect that seems capable of encompassing everything. Like Joseph Campbell or Harold Bloom, Adams often leaves the reader in awe of how much he knows and how he is able to make the connections that so clearly illuminate everything he touches upon. This is one of my favorite volumes in the Library of America series, and I know that anyone who appreciates intelligence, wit, and charm in a writer will enjoy reading it.

The Library of America is one of the best organizations. Here at last are both novels, his interesting autobiography, and Mont St Michel all under one roof.

"Democracy" is one of the best political novels of all time and speaking as a denizen of the nation's capital, very little has changed. Esther is attempt deal with the "woman question." Clearly the inspiration of both books is Mrs. Henry Adams. Known as "Voltaire in petticoats" (Henry James), she later tragically took her own life following a period of depression. The death of his wife led to Henry Adams' retirement from public life. This subject is covered in Ernest Samuels' wonderful biography (which I also recommend).

I suggest a look at his biography since the subject of Marion Clover Adams is avoided entirely in "The Education of Henry Adams." Henry Adams may not discuss his wife, but he does touch on nearly everything else of importance in his autobiography. "Growing up Adams," life in Europe with Garibaldi's forces, life at the British legation in London during the Civil War are all addressed. The best and probably the most key chapter in the book is the one entitled "The Virgin and Dynamo." Adams uses the 1876 cenntenial fair as a departure to meditate of the impact of the industrial revolution. Adams believed with the growth of technology that man would somehow outgrow the simple humanity of the Middle Ages (it would have been interesting if Adams had lived long enough to meet someone like Carl Jung to see what he would have to say on this subject!). One of the foremost historians (the Library of America has also issued the history of Jefferson and Madison's Administrations, which is a classic), Adams became interested in the Middle Ages and his survey of the two great cathedrals of France Chartes and Mont St. Michel is the final book in the volume. I cannot recommend this book too highly, it is a must for all fans of Henry Adams and those who would like to experience him for the first time.

I believe that Henry Adams was an extraordinary visionary and interpreter of the developing world in his age. His interpretation and studies of 12th century religion is fir me deeply inspirational.His writings about Chartes and Mont Saint Michel are a unique gift to our religious understandings.

Mont St. Michel is in Normandy [you remember the Normans, they're the ones who invaded England in 1066 and put William the Duke on the British throne, changing our Germanic language forever by making French half of our vocabulary. We don't say 'cow' and 'pig' when they come to the table, it's 'beef' and 'pork']. The great Gothic cathedral at Chartres was built about 1200 and is glorious]. These are the basis for Henry Adams [a descendant of our two Adams presidents] to range through the obligation we owe the past and the wonder it has conferred on us. How many ancestors do you have in 1,000 years? More than a thousand! In 2,000 years? More than a million. A great read.

Henry Adams should be required reading for all US students. This version of his writings - Library of America series includes all his best writings in a small book. Amazon delivered as agreed.