The Tocqueville Reader: A Life in Letters and Politics

“This fine volume should become the standard source of Tocqueville's writings in the Anglophone world. Now that ideologues are trying to highjack Tocqueville for their own partisan purposes, it is particularly valuable to have this splendid collection that reflects the depth of Tocqueville's insights into democracy, liberty, and the delicate balance between them on both sides of the Atlantic. By including the best of Tocqueville's work on a wide range of topics and providing lucid commentary, Zunz and Kahan offer readers an accurate, historically grounded understanding of one of the 19th century's most brilliant thinkers.” James T. Kloppenberg, Harvard University

“A collection like this has been needed for a long time. It is accessible, broad-ranging, ably translated and superbly edited. Anyone who appreciates the genius of this greatest of French political writers will find it both a handy reference, and a source of delightful surprises.” David A. Bell, The Johns Hopkins University

"Highly Recommended. General readers, and lower-division undergraduates and above." P.Coby, Smith College

"The Tocqueville Reader... is a splendid selection from Tocqueville's works that reflects the originality and depth of his ideas on democracy, liberty and modern society" Aurelian Craiutu, Indiana University