One of Socrates' Athenian disciples in his youth; Xenophon (c. 498-354 bc) fought as a mercenary commander in Cyrus the Younger's campaign to seize the Persian throne; and later wrote a wide range of works on history; politics and philosophy. These six treatises offer his informed insights into the nature of leadership. In the dialogue between the poet Simonides and Hiero; tyrant of Syracuse; Xenophon provides a consummate consideration of the burdens of being an absolute dictator and the superior happiness of the private man. Elsewhere; his biography of King Agesilaus II of Sparta depicts the author's patron as a model of piety; justice; courage and wisdom; while other texts consider the essential qualities of the cavalry commander; analyse the skills of the horseman and the hunter; and advance a bold economic plan for democratic Athens.
#23527 in Books Tocqueville; Alexis de/ Bevan; Gerald E./ Kramnick; Isaac 2003-07-01 2003-07-01Format: UnabridgedOriginal language:FrenchPDF # 1 7.80 x 1.71 x 5.10l; 1.44 #File Name: 0140447601992 pagesPenguin Books
Review
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Democracy in America is the sine qua non of political science in the USA!By C. M MillsAlexis De Tocqueville was a brilliant young French aristocrat when he arrived on the Yankee shore in 1831. De Tocqueville came to America to research penal conditions in a report to be submitted to the French Government. De Tocqueville did much more than that! In his long; brilliant and sage book he looks at America in1831. He points out American love for the practical; the religious community minded Americans who also enjoy making money in the volatile and exciting new nation. It would take several textbooks to explain and expound all DeDeTocqueville discovered on his eye opening trip to the USA.C-Span a few years ago devoted several programs to following hisfootsteps across our broad land. The book looks out how America works from township meetings;to the state and federal levels. His analysis of the US Constitution is erudite. His view of American morals and religion is worth reading. Any politician and informed citizen should read this classic.The Penguin edition is beautifully designed. Two chapters at theend of the book deal with De Tocqueville's visit to the wilderness and his visit to Indians. De Tocqueville's analysis ofslavery and how we treat our native Americans is incisive andon target! Democracy in America is one of the seminal books of the American experience.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent insight to early AmericaBy Tim LangFantastic book. If you want an inside view of early American culture and politics; this is a great book. Tocqueville has the unbiased view of an outsider to give us a view of our country and her development. The fact that he visited as America was settling into her freedom and before the civil war; gives great perspective on the motivations of Americans. Some of his predictions are near prophetic but I think it was his objectivity that enabled that.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A CONFUSING BUT IMPORTANT ANALYSIS OF EARLY AMERICA AND WORTH READINGBy A. MerrillI found it somewhat difficult to read; and Tocqueville's predictions about America's future were incorrect and somewhat conflicting (understandable since it was written almost 200 years ago). Nevertheless; it is an important document in the history of America and was worth reading.
