Democracy in America. Reprint of 1838 First edition

2003. ISBN-13: 9781584772491; ISBN-10: 1584772492. The First Edition in English Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Translated by Henry Reeve, Esq. With an Original Preface and Notes by John C. Spencer. New York: Adlard and Saunders, 1838. xxx, 464 pp. Facsimile reprint, The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. 2019. ISBN 9781584772491. Hardcover. New. $37.95 * The first English-language edition published in 1838 translated by Henry Reeve, Esq. with Preface and notes by John C. Spencer. In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville [1805-1859] and Gustave de Beaumont [fl.1835] traveled through the United States on behalf of the French government to study American prisons, which were renowned for their progressive and humane methods. They were pleased to accept this assignment because they were intrigued by the idea of American democracy. Tocqueville and Beaumont spent nine months in the country, traveling as far west as Michigan and as far south as New Orleans. Throughout the tour, they used their social connections to arrange meetings with several influential Americans in the worlds of politics, law, business, social reform and the arts. Tocqueville recorded his thoughts on the structure of the government and the judicial system, and commented on everyday people and the nation's political culture and social institutions. His observations on slavery, in particular, are impassioned and critical. These notes formed the basis of Democracy in America. This landmark work initiated a dialogue about the nature of democracy and the United States and its people that continues to this day.