American Journey

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In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville embarked on a nine-month journey to explore "Democracy in America." Richard Reeves retraced Tocqueville's path, visiting the same locations to find modern counterparts to the Americans of the 1830s. Both began in Newport, Rhode Island, traveling through New York and Philadelphia, and reaching as far as Michigan and Louisiana. While Tocqueville's journey along the St. Clair River led him to Saginaw Bay, Reeves ventured into the urban landscape of Detroit. Conversations with figures like ex-President John Quincy Adams resonated through time as Reeves posed similar inquiries to Richard Nixon. Tocqueville met the last signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll, and Reeves traced his lineage to a descendant denied entry to a prestigious medical school. This exploration raises questions about the identity of Americans and the workings of their democracy. Tocqueville provided insights in his era, while Reeves engaged with governors, presidents, laborers, and educators across various settings. Ultimately, Reeves found a more optimistic American spirit than Tocqueville had anticipated, discovering a populace that often surpassed their leaders and, at their best, lived up to their ideals.