Books › Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
288 pages
A wry, road-tripping romp through the messy, contentious, and surprisingly endearing origins of the American republic.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like taking a cross-country road trip with your smartest, funniest friend who happens to be obsessed with the American Revolution. The pace is brisk and conversational, bouncing effortlessly between the battlefields of the eighteenth century and the tourist traps of the present day. There is a distinct mood of affectionate irreverence; the narrative strips away the marble-bust mythology of the founding fathers to reveal the bickering, flawed, and fascinating humans underneath. The prose is sharp, digressive, and laced with dry wit, making the historical deep dives feel incredibly accessible. It is a delight for readers who love their history served with a healthy dose of contemporary cynicism, yet who still harbor a secret, earnest hope for the American experiment.
- Mood
- lively
- reflective
- quirky
- nostalgic
- Tone
- wry
- conversational
- irreverent
- affectionate
- cynical
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- historical memory · political polarization · mythmaking · messy reality of revolution · enduring friendship
- The writing
- Conversational, witty, and digressive, blending historical facts with sharp contemporary observations and personal travelogue.
- The arc
- Moves from a cynical view of modern political dysfunction to a surprisingly earnest appreciation for the unifying power of shared history.
- Who it's for
- History buffs who prefer their nonfiction served with a side of dry humor, pop culture references, and contemporary political parallels.
Content notes
- war violence
- political polarization
About the book
On August 16, 1824, an elderly French gentlemen sailed into New York Harbor and giddy Americans were there to welcome him. Or, rather, to welcome him back. It had been 30 years since the Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette had last set foot in the United States, and he was so beloved that 80,000 people showed up to cheer for him. The entire population of New York at the time was 120,000. Lafayette's arrival in 1824 coincided with one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history. Congress had just fought its first epic battle over slavery, and the threat of a Civil War loomed. But Lafayette, belonging to neither North nor South, to no political party or faction, was a walking, talking reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the revolutionary generation and what they wanted the country to be. His return was not just a reunion with his beloved Americans, it was a reunion for Americans with their own astonishing singular past.
Description from Open Library.
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