Leo Damrosch - Tocqueville's Discovery of America

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Leo Damrosch, professor of literature at Harvard University, discusses his book, "Tocqueville's Discovery of America," presented by Harvard Book Store. Alexis de Tocqueville is often invoked as an oracle who defined America and its democracy for all times. But Damrosch argues that his masterpiece, "Democracy in America," was the product of a young man's open-minded experience of America at a time of rapid change. More lectures at forum-network.org

Пікірлер: 12

@AJones-mb7zg Жыл бұрын

Tocqueville's description of being in the very quiet lonesome woods of Michigan is still true in the OLD GROWTH pockets of forest that still exist here. Hartwick Pines is one of them. Tall old trees that have never been cut by the lumber industry are still growing. The tall trees shade the ground so there is little undergrowth, and in the middle of the day, after the birds are done feeding, all is very quiet. If there is a wind, you can hear the tall trees creaking. It is very nice to be there for me and my spouse. A nice respite from the noisy city. But for Tocqueville, I can see how it would be scary back then.

@lavenderbee3611 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent lecture, well worth 50 minutes of my time. Thank you.

@CheloPerales 6 жыл бұрын

There are a few lectures on Tocqueville Democracy in America on KZfaq. I have recently heard four or five. This is the best. Professor Damrosch quotes the book, has read other historian's and political scientist's readings interpretations of the book and the man (he says) and has come up with a clear exposition of the 1835 masterpiece. Time flew though. It is almost four in the morning, and I can't wait to share it. A viewer points to Damrosch's naming people that doesn't appear in the book. (I am at the beginning of the book). But, Alexis de Tocqueville pointed it out in the Introduction, "I carefully noted every conversation of this nature [important truths] as soon as it occurred, but this notes will never leave my writing-case; I had rather injure the success of my statements than add my name to the list of those strangers who repay the generous hospitality they have received by subsequent chagrin and annoyance". So, it is likely that Professor Damrosch has used those notes.

@billhammett174 11 ай бұрын

His book "The Club" about Johnson's dinner group is absolutely first rate.. Nice that he is doing public speaking...

@a.mangla78 5 жыл бұрын

he looks like older version of brad pritt

@TheRealSmacker 11 жыл бұрын

It doesn't seem like anyone is reading alone here- But I noticed many of the names that Damrosch mentioned of people Tocqueville and Beaumont spoke to on their American trip do not show up in Democracy in America. Is he citing diaries or notebooks or what?

@thetruthis24 Жыл бұрын

Yes

@TheRealSmacker 11 жыл бұрын

Leo Damrosch from 1:11.