Democracy in America (Paperback)

by Alexis De Tocqueville (Author), J. P. Mayer (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
As Alexis de Tocqueville traveled through the young United States, he wrote in his introduction to the first volume of Democracy in America, "the more clearly I saw equality of conditions as the creative element from which each particular fact derived, and all my observations constantly returned to this nodal point." And there is an abundance of observations to be found here, with chapters that consider everything from "judicial power in the United States and its effect on political society" to "why the Americans erect some pretty monuments and others that are very grand."

Why does Tocqueville remain one of the most insightful analysts of American society? Certainly there is the comprehensive nature of his project, but one must also take into account the brilliance of his prose, with just the right balance of elegance and clarity. Democracy in America is as accessible to the modern reader as the work of any contemporary journalist, political scientist, or sociologist--and in many cases more so. It is an essential volume for anybody concerned with American history.

Product Description
Endlessly quoted and referred to, Tocqueville's great history is as relevant now as when it was first published in the mid-19th century, and it remains the most penetrating and astute picture of American life ever written.

Product Details

• Paperback: 792 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (September 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060915226
• ISBN-13: 978-0060915223
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #490,040 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lawrence is by far the best translation., November 17, 2002

By	Richard B. Bernstein "richard_b_bernstein" (Brooklyn, New York, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Democracy in America (Perennial Classics) (Paperback)

George Lawrence's translation, which migrated from Harper & Row to Doubleday back to HarperCollins, is far and away the best translation of this classic study of democracy and American life. Lawrence is more accurate than the old Henry Reeve translation (even as revised by Phillips Bradley) kept in print by Vintage, and livelier than the stodgy translation inflicted on us by Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. for the University of Chicago Press.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential American Reading, February 9, 2002

By	"amart02" (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Democracy in America (Perennial Classics) (Paperback)

Anyone wishing to better understand how it is that America achieved it's current position in the world must read this book. De Tocqueville's seminal work rings true today and gives a great perspective on our past, present and future. Everything that has ever happened in America's relatively short history, up to and including our most recent presidential election and the attacks of September 11th are better understood after reading this timeless classic.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Analysis!!!!, December 30, 1998

By A Customer

I took a class on Sociology and Law in college and my professor kept on referring to this book. I decided to see what he was talking about first hand and am glad I did! This book is expertly written and thought provoking. This is kind of book that you take out and reference every once in a while. Yes, it does get boring in some parts but I think that if you are in the legal profession or you just like history this is a book for you!!