About the Book
In 1824, the legendary French hero of the American Revolution, Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, commenced an epic tour of the United States at the invitation of President James Monroe.
On this fourteen-month trip across all twenty-four states, Lafayette (1757–1834) witnessed an evolving young nation grappling with its ideals, achievements, and challenges: a contested yet peaceful presidential election, engineering marvels like the Erie Canal, and the persistent tragedy of slavery.
Journalist and historian Richard Brookhiser shows us what Lafayette saw on this storied adventure through the fifty-year-old republic―hoopla, oratory, journalism, struggle, failure, and idealism.
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence, Brookhiser invites readers to ponder the same critical question posed by Lafayette and his contemporaries: How well has America upheld the promise of its revolution?
With vivid storytelling and acute insight, Brookhiser reflects on an era marked by triumph and turbulence―an era with compelling parallels to the present―and offers enduring lessons on liberty and democracy.
Richard Brookhiser
Richard Brookhiser is an American journalist, biographer and historian. He is a senior editor at National Review and a columnist for American History.
He is the author of numerous books, including, Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution (Yale University Press, 2024), Give Me Liberty: A History of America’s Exceptional Idea (Basic Books, 2019), John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Supreme Court (Basic Books, 2018), and Founders’ Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln (Basic Books, 2014).
He is author and host of two films for PBS by Michael Pack: Rediscovering George Washington (2002) and Rediscovering Alexander Hamilton (2011). He was the historian curator of “Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America,” a 2004 exhibition at the New-York Historical Society. In 2008 he was awarded the National Humanities Medal.
Sponsored By Ford Philanthropy
Mount Vernon has enjoyed a very special relationship with the Ford Motor Company dating back more than 90 years.
We are grateful for their generous support and we applaud their abiding respect for American heritage.