This new abridged translation of Democracy in America reflects the rich Tocqueville scholarship of the past forty years, and restores chapters central to Tocqueville's analysis absent from previous abridgments-including his discussions of enlightened self-interest and the public's influence on ethical standards. Judicious notes and a thoughtful Introduction offer aids to the understanding of a masterpiece of nineteenth-century social thought that continues in our own day to illuminate debates about the roles of liberty and equality in American life.

About the Author

Sanford Kessler is Associate Professor of Political Science, North Carolina State University.

Stephen D. Grant received his M.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago.

Reviews

A handy paperback edition offered primarily to teachers and students who can make no pretense of reading the entirety of the large work, but who want to sample some of its chief delights. . . . [Grant gives us an] exemplary translation . . . marked above all by great accuracy and fidelity to Tocqueville's text. . . . Kessler's editor's Introduction is a model introduction to a classic text for today's students. It is clearly written, compact (without being too short or dense), and nicely structured. . . . A tour--and translation--well worth the price of admission. --Paul Seaton, Perspectives on Political Science

A fine piece of work. Kessler has presented one of the best summaries of Tocqueville's thought that I know of. The translation represents a clear improvement over both the Bradley translation and the Lawrence translation. In numerous cases, Grant has provided extremely useful notes covering the range of meanings and historical background of important concepts. Anyone teaching a course calling for selections from Tocqueville cannot do better than this volume. --Christopher Kelly, Boston College

This is an excellent product--a major improvement over the other available versions. I will use it when I teach Tocqueville. --Donald T. Maletz, University of Oklahoma

Book Information
ISBN 9780872204942
Author Alexis De Tocqueville
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint Hackett Publishing Co, Inc
Publisher Hackett Publishing Co, Inc
Weight(grams) 312g