Tocqueville: A biography

by André Jardin, R. Hemenway (Translator), L. Davis (Translator)

A Biography

Genres: Biography, American History, History, France, World History, European History

550 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

André Jardin (1912–1996) was a French biographer and historian, best known for his studies of Alexis de Tocqueville and 19th century French history.

Reviews

[Mshelton50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb biography of Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville. Monsieur Jardin was the editor of the Tocqueville papers, and clearly knew his subject very, very well. I not only enjoyed it thoroughly, but learned a great deal. I would also recommend that any Americans interested in de Tocqueville read Peter Carey's wonderful historical novel, Parrot and Olivier in America.

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may be asking too much, but I recommend reading a Tocqueville biography before reading Democracy in America.

As a Frenchman, how was Tocqueville able to provide so much insight into America's culture and political system? The biography will help you understand that.

[Rodrigo Jungmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente biografia.

[Czarny Pies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andre Jardin's biography of Tocqueville is a very solid effort. In addition to thoroughly reviewing the development of Tocqueville's ideas, Jardin also covers his frequently unhappy personal life and erratic political career. This volume provides a great deal of insight in the ideas and life of one the greatest political theorists to every write on the very unique liberal democratic society of the United States.