“This is what many of us have waited for: a reada le and engaging account of Tocquevi le’s myriad travels and their impact on his inte lectual development. Wr i en by one of the leading experts on French political thought, it is at once impecca ly researched, insightful, and thought-provoking . In short, a bri liant book.”

—Helena Rosen la , author of The Lost History of Liberalism

“A superb study of the distinctive character of Tocquevi le’s mind.” —Arthur Gol hammer, translator of Tocquevi le’s Democracy in America

“This is inte lectual biography at its best.”

—Ruth Scur , author of Napoleon: A Life Told in Gardens and Shadows hup.harvard.edu