Democracy, an American Novel
1880
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.
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“To her mind the Senate was a place where people went to recite speeches, and she naively assumed that the speeches were useful and had a purpose, but as they did not interest her she never went again. This is a very common conception of Congress; many Congressmen share it.””
— Henry Adams
“I, too, like yourself was a good party man: my party was that of the Church; I was ultramontane. Your party system is one of your thefts from our Church; your National Convention is our Ecunemic Council; you abdicate reason, as we do, before its decisions; and you yourself Mr. Ratcliffe, you are a Cardinal.””
— Henry Adams
“Washington was no politician as we understand the word," replied Ratcliffe abruptly. "He stood outside of politics. The thing couldn't be done today. The people don't like that sort of royal airs.””
— Henry Adams
