Alexis De Tocqueville's Journey in Ireland, July-August, 1835

by Alexis de Tocqueville, Emmet J. Larkin (Editor)

English (translation)Original French

Genres: Nonfiction, Classics

157 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Alexis Charles Henri Clérel, comte de Tocqueville, usually known as just Tocqueville, was a French aristocrat, diplomat, sociologist, political scientist, political philosopher, and historian. He is best known for his works Democracy in America (appearing in two volumes, 1835 and 1840) and The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856). In both, he analyzed the living standards and social conditions of individuals as well as their relationship to the market and state in Western societies. Democracy in America was published after Tocqueville's travels in the United States and is today considered an early work of sociology and political science.
Tocqueville was active in French politics, first under the July Monarchy (1830–1848) and then during the Second Republic (1849–1851) which succeeded the February 1848 Revolution. He retired from political life after Louis Napoléon Bonaparte's 2 December 1851 coup and thereafter began work on The Old Regime and the Revolution. Tocqueville argued the importance of the French Revolution was to continue the process of modernizing and centralizing the French state which had begun under Louis XIV. He believed the failure of the Revolution came from the inexperience of the deputies who were too wedded to abstract Enlightenment ideals.
Tocqueville was a classical liberal who advocated parliamentary government and was skeptical of the extremes of majoritarianism. During his time in parliament, he was first a member of the centre-left before moving to the centre-right, and the complex and restless nature of his liberalism has led to contrasting interpretations and admirers across the political spectrum.

Reviews

[Rudyard L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really an incredible book

[Megan Milburn-McAlister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of my research on The Great Hunger, or Irish Famine, as a lot of what I’m reading references Tocqueville’s observations about the extreme poverty that existed years before 1845. As well as being a helpful first hand account, the context it gives about the island’s sectarianism, land issues, education, and crime is really valuable to anyone interested in nineteenth century. The way Emmet Larkin has translated and edited this version makes it really digestible. My copy is heavily annotated and I’ll be referencing this often!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai lu ce livre pour me préparer à un séjour en Irlande et pour découvrir un peu l'histoire du pays.
C'est intéressant d'avoir un "instantané" de la vie en Irlande en 1935. En plus, Tocqueville transcrit des conversations avec des personnages variés, ce qui laisse au lecteur sa liberté d'opinion.

[Smg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting. Admittedly predisposed to think so given my Irish ancestry, this was nonetheless pretty cool as it was simply interviews. Like going back in time to find out what it was like. I plan soon to read Patrick Radden Keefe’s “Say Nothing”, and so this adds to the background I’ll have for reading that.

[William Shep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as well known as his celebrated visit to America and subsequent writings, this is also an interesting tour that resulted in a revealing commentary, this time on a land with deep cultural ties to France, though mostly as a pawn in the perrenial power struggle with England.