Travels with Tocqueville Beyond America

A revealing intellectual biography of Tocqueville, told through his wide-ranging travels, including his journey to America. Jeremy Jennings explores Tocqueville's voyages across Europe, North Africa, and North America, shedding new light on his character and political and cultural commentary. Despite ill health and political responsibilities, Tocqueville never stopped moving or learning, wanting to understand political communities and their adaptation to social and economic change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

A captivating intellectual biography of Tocqueville, unveiled through his extensive travels, many of which remain relatively unknown, even outside his journey to America. This remarkable voyage, undertaken in 1831, has become one of the most celebrated in the annals of political thought. During his nine-month exploration, Alexis de Tocqueville traversed the United States, immersing himself in the political culture of the nascent republic. The result was the iconic masterpiece, "Democracy in America."

However, Tocqueville's wanderlust extended far beyond the United States. Jeremy Jennings, in his captivating book, "Travels with Tocqueville: Beyond America," delves into the voyages of the renowned traveler. Jennings meticulously traces Tocqueville's journeys, encompassing his expeditions by sailing ship, stagecoach, horseback, train, and foot, across Europe, North Africa, and, of course, North America. Along the way, Jennings unveils previously overlooked facets of Tocqueville's character, shedding new light on the profound depth and breadth of his political and cultural insights.

Undeterred by recurrent ill health and escalating political responsibilities, Tocqueville remained an incessant mover and learner. His unwavering curiosity drove him to explore the very essence of political communities, delving into the foundations of elite and popular mores, and observing how they adapted to rapid social and economic transformations. These transformations included the rise of democracy and the Industrial Revolution, but also encompassed the expansion of empire and the emergence of socialism. Tocqueville's observations were astute, encompassing a wide range of countries and cultures. He praised the orderly, Catholic-dominated society of Quebec, while also presciently diagnosing the boisterous but perilously chauvinistic politics of Germany. He regarded England as the epitome of freedom and inequality, with its vibrant democratic institutions and stark social disparities. He expressed deep concern over the poverty he witnessed in Ireland, and he championed French colonial settlement in Algeria, recognizing the potential for cultural exchange and economic development in the region.

"Travels with Tocqueville: Beyond America" is a captivating blend of biography, history, and political theory, offering a panoramic perspective on Tocqueville's life and ideas. Drawing upon a wealth of correspondence, published writings, speeches, and the recollections of contemporaries, Jennings weaves a rich tapestry that fully captures the essence of Tocqueville's intellectual journey. This book is a testament to the enduring relevance of Tocqueville's insights, as his observations and observations continue to resonate with readers across generations and continents. It serves as a reminder of the power of travel, exploration, and intellectual inquiry to broaden our understanding of the world and to inspire us to engage in meaningful dialogue and action.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674275607