Marquis de Lafayette Returns: A Tour of America's National Capital Region

by Elizabeth Reese

Walk in the footsteps of the Marquis de Lafayette as he makes a final trip through the young United States. Against the backdrop of a tumultuous election, a beloved hero of the American Revolution returned to America for the first time in forty years. From August 1824 to September 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette traveled throughout the United States, welcomed by thousands of admirers at each stop along the way. Although the tour brought him to each state in the Union, the majority of his time was spent in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Public historian Elizabeth Reese traces Lafayette's route throughout the National Capital Region, highlighting the locations and people the famous General held closest to his heart.

160 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2024

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was just delightful. Elizabeth Reese tells the story of the Marquis de Lafayette returning to the United States decades after the American Revolution in Marquis de Lafayette Returns.

I make no apologies for being a massive fan of the Marquis. Reese's book is slim (only about 140 pages) as she focuses on a very specific point in the life of Lafayette, but she also does some quick explanations of other parts of his life. What you have is a succinct and well-written book that even a non-history nerd can love because it is basically all highlights.

Speaking of love, you may be wondering why anyone would even write a book about the Marquis doing a visit to the U.S. so many years after the revolution. Quite simply, the country went nuts. The current politics were toxic (thank God it's not like THAT anymore) and Lafayette was beloved by everyone. You think Taylor Swift's concert tour is big? Marquis de Lafayette's "homecoming" made the attendance of her shows look like high school plays. No, I am not mocking Taytay. I am merely giving context. Don't tase me, Swifties.

(This book was provided as a review copy by the author.)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect history book for people who “don’t read history books”. We all recognize the name Lafayette as our favorite, fast rapping revolutionist, but what happened after the war was won? Author Elizabeth Reese hones in on a specific part of Lafayette’s life- a little read chapter in history- with just enough context of the before and after to keep readers engaged. Her book reads like a novel where Lafayette is the main character.

Part of why so many of us steer away from history books is because we don’t see ourselves reflected in their telling. Here, Reese does a great job of including the stories of women, Native Americans and POC in her account of Lafayette’s tour. On more than one occasion I found myself flipping to the notes section for recommendations. A book that inspires me to read further outside of my typical genres? For a history buff I don’t think there’s any higher compliment!

[Stuart Endick · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1824 at a time of partisan political division the United States was unified in enthusiastically celebrating and honoring the year long visit and national tour of the Marquis de Lafayette. The book does a good job of reminding us that Lafayette was not only an idealistic hero who made a significant contribution to the success of the American Revolution but a genuinely inspirational figure whose lifelong commitment to equality and justice was undimmed during his farewell tour and deserves to be recalled now. The book, which focuses on Lafayette’s activities in the Washington DC region, is well illustrated with examples of the numerous commemorative souvenirs of the tour and does a good job of explaining its historical significance. There are a few faults, however, particularly in the explanation of the presidential election of 1824 (Jackson did not receive a majority of the votes either popularly or in the Electoral Collage, the vote in the House to elect JQ Adams was not the result of a “corrupt bargain” as Jacksonian partisans latter charged). The writing in the last two thirds of the book also has enough awkward phrasing as to suggest that it could have benefited from more careful editing. Nevertheless the book is a worthwhile read and addition to an American history bookshelf.

[Christopher Cerone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, easy-reading account of the national farewell tour of the Marquis de Lafayette in 1824-1825, with a focus on his many visits in and around the Washington, D.C. area. The author offers a vivid account of the famous Frenchman’s encounters and emotional final returns to Monticello and Mount Vernon. Lafayette was beloved by Americans and helped mend (at least temporarily) a fractured young nation that endured one of the most contentious elections between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams, the latter the victor of the 1824 contest and a longtime acquaintance of Lafayette. Despite some notable errors throughout the book, e.g., claiming Light-Horse Harry Lee died in Baltimore and starting a chapter by stating Lafayette in August 1865 was in the final stretch of his tour, this book is worth a read for those keen to get (re-)acquainted with George Washington’s close friend and freedom-loving Frenchman. Throughout the book, the author decorates the book with some impressive and noteworthy illustrations and photos.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my DAR book club chose this book, I was afraid it a book on this topic would be a bit dry. Instead it was delightful! I learned more about this hero of the revolution and also more about his contemporaries. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his return as our Nation’s Guest, the unity he fostered is sorely missing today. The contentious election of 1824 was one of the most divisive in our history yet America came together to celebrate and welcome this Frenchman who helped us gain our independence. Lafayette spoke his mind to founding fathers about the hypocrisy of slavery when few people were willing to push the issue. I’m glad I had the chance to learn more about this man and his legacy.

[Zack Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough, contextually rich, and deeply thoughtful depiction of LaFayette’s return to America—beautifully illustrates the feelings of an adolescent nation through the frame of one of its founding fathers looking back with the perspective of old age. Author, Elizabeth Reese, strikes the perfect balance of information and feeling, beautifully recreating what it must have felt like to be in the crowd receiving LaFayette back in the United States

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing writing and storytelling. Concise and easy to read (and get lost in). I look forward to more books from this author 🌞