Tocqueville's gifts as an observer and commentator on American life and democracy are brought to vivid life in this splendid volume.

In On Tocqueville, Alan Ryan brilliantly illuminates the observations of the French philosopher who first journeyed to the United States in 1831 and went on to catalogue the unique features of the American social contract. Tocqueville's prescient analyses of American life remain as relevant today as when they were first written.

On Tocqueville features a chronology, biography and excerpts from Tocqueville's major works.