jvanwago's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Amazingly insightful about modern culture regarding many things. Never have I highlighted a book so much. Even so, Alexis was not a prophet and got things wrong. For example, he thought that America was unlikely to produce any great intellectuals, geniuses, or creatives. Thankfully we have proved him wrong.
On the other hand, Democracy in America prognosticates well on the subject of modern illiberalism and the tendency to continuously strengthen the federal government (to ostensibly increase equality at the expense of our rights).
De Tocqueville trades a bit too much in generalizations, especially in the second volume. He frequently states that Americans (uniformly) believe “X” while aristocratic nations believe “Y”. That said, this book was written nearly 200 years ago, long before modern analytical methods were devised.
Overall it was a groundbreaking work that is still largely relevant today.
On the other hand, Democracy in America prognosticates well on the subject of modern illiberalism and the tendency to continuously strengthen the federal government (to ostensibly increase equality at the expense of our rights).
De Tocqueville trades a bit too much in generalizations, especially in the second volume. He frequently states that Americans (uniformly) believe “X” while aristocratic nations believe “Y”. That said, this book was written nearly 200 years ago, long before modern analytical methods were devised.
Overall it was a groundbreaking work that is still largely relevant today.
caffeinated_bookaholic's review against another edition
5.0
I've heard some skepticism of Tocqueville's accuracy since he was a foreign observer, but it seems to me his impartial view brings something of value. Some of his observations (particularly about the impact of easy-access news media, and about the tension between democracy/individualism/materialism) could have been about today just as much as the 1830s. I found his analysis of the slavery problem very on point to what ended up happening, too, which wasn't something everyone recognized at that time. The thesis of looking at democracy as a phenomenon, and as an American situation, and why it happened that way, is incredibly useful for a modern mind which often takes the historical and geographic situation of the founding for granted. Understanding why a thing started is a good way to understand how it may develop and why it is how it is today, in my mind.
The second volume was less cogent than the first, but had a lot of fun little observations. These I think were more germane to his day than ours, but still entertaining if nothing else.
The second volume was less cogent than the first, but had a lot of fun little observations. These I think were more germane to his day than ours, but still entertaining if nothing else.
2000ace's review against another edition
5.0
Did you have to read this book for Political Science 101? I did, and I still have my copy of it. In this election year, it would be worth taking a look at this book again. It seems to me that, particularly in the past eight years, we have strayed off the path of the ideals that this book represents. Anyone interested in democracy, equality, and the role of the military in government should own a copy of this book. Make sure it is the unabridged one.
rebleejen's review
4.0
I FINALLY FINISHED IT. IT'S OVER. GO ME!
I found this book sporadically fascinating but felt that it could have been half as long and just as good. Kind of a 21st century mentality, I admit.
I found this book sporadically fascinating but felt that it could have been half as long and just as good. Kind of a 21st century mentality, I admit.
audreylee's review
4.0
The first half of this book was spectacular. The second half was very repetitive.
nicholasbobbitt1997's review
4.0
One of the most readable books so far from this semester's classes. It's well-organized, well-translated, and well-written. I enjoyed reading it.
jadesucksatmath's review
4.0
Read for Democracy and Citizenship and wrote a dope paper on the dangers centralization of power has on democracy as we know it today woo woo