Democracy: This novel was published anonymously in the 1880s and concerns a young wealthy widow and her young unmarried sister traveling and staying in Washington, D. C. The heroine, Madeline Lee, is intelligent, bored with New York and Europe, and wants the opportunity to learn a bit about how politics work. Through Lee's eyes, you learn how Washington works and the kind of men who live and work there. There are Senators, lawyers, and visiting dignitaries set in post-Civil War D. C. A little love story thrown in and a big ball makes the story appealing to those of us who like that thing and of course, the true lesson here about Washington is "same as it ever was." ( )

Have read Mt. St. Michel but not The Education or the novels yet. ( )

I have not read it in its entirety, but what I have read of Henry Adams's work I have admired and enjoyed.

The memoir of a man and a family, Henry Adams was the son of a diplomat/ politician, grandson of a president and the great-grandson of another. The Adams family had produced leaders for the country since its founding and Henry Adams was heir to that leadership. In his Education he produced one of the best autobiographies ever written, chronicling the rapid change of the last half of the nineteenth century while sharing personal experiences with his father, at Harvard, Washington and elsewhere. I highly recommend this narrative for all readers interested in good writing and the history of the United States. ( )

Fascinating descriptions of the history, art, architecture and personalities associated with Mont Saint Michel and Chartres. Highly recommend, particularly before a visit. ( )