Democracy, an American Novel

Democracy: An American Novel, published anonymously by Henry Adams in 1880, follows the story of Madeleine Lee, a wealthy widow who moves to Washington, D.C., seeking purpose after her husband's death. As she navigates the political landscape, she becomes entangled with influential figures, including Senator Silas Ratcliffe, and confronts the complexities and corruptions of power. The novel is notable for its exploration of political ambition and the human desire for meaning, making it a significant work in American political fiction.