*TOCQUEVILLE (Alexis de). On democracy in America. Paris : Charles Gosselin, W. Coquebert, 1838. - 2 volumes in-8, green half calf, smooth spine decorated, spotted edges (period binding). This analysis of American democracy is without a doubt the most important work of Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859), which, thanks to its visionary aspect, has become a classic and a reference for our society . This is how the author presented his work in a letter to his friend and translator Henry Reeve: "I am writing in a country and for a country where the cause of equality is now won, with no possible return to aristocracy. In this state of things, I felt it my duty to dwell particularly on the evil tendencies which equality may give rise to, in order to try to prevent my contemporaries from indulging in them. This is the only honorable task for those who write in a country where the struggle is over. I therefore say truths often very hard to the French society of our days and to the democratic societies in general, but I say it as a friend and not as a censor..." (Tocqueville. (Tocqueville. "Complete works. VI. Correspondance anglaise", 1954, pp. 47-48). A very nice copy in contemporary binding, complete with the color folding map of North America, drawn up especially for the book. Some minor wear and tear.