The Hero Returns - Lafayette and the Legacy of Revolution

The return of a revered revolutionary and the meaning of independence in a divided nation—in the 1820s and today
 
In 1824, the legendary French hero of the American Revolution, Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, commenced an epic tour of the United States at the invitation of President James Monroe. On this thirteen-month trip across all twenty-four states, Lafayette (1757–1834) witnessed an evolving young nation grappling with its ideals, achievements, and challenges: a contested yet peaceful presidential election, engineering marvels like the Erie Canal, and the persistent tragedy of slavery. Journalist and historian Richard Brookhiser shows us what Lafayette saw on this storied adventure through the fifty-year-old republic—the hoopla, oratory, journalism, struggle, failure, and idealism.
 
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence, Brookhiser invites readers to ponder the same critical question posed by Lafayette and his contemporaries: How well has America upheld the promise of its revolution? With vivid storytelling and acute insight, Brookhiser reflects on an era marked by triumph and turbulence—an era with compelling parallels to the present—and offers enduring lessons on liberty and democracy.

About the author

Richard Brookhiser

Product details

• Authors: Brookhiser Richard
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 25.08.2026
• EAN: 9780300280906
• ISBN: 978-0-300-28090-6
• No. of pages: 256
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; USA, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Historical, Biography: historical, political & military, HISTORY / United States / 19th Century, HISTORY / United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800), c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, United States of America, USA, History of the Americas, Biography: historical, political and military, C 1700 To C 1800, c 1765 to 1783 (American Revolutionary period), c 1783 to c 1800 (American Federalist era)