Democracy in America

The confluence of Democracy in America by Henry Adams (or his wife Clover), The Education of Henry Adams, and Dear Friends puts me in the 18th and 19th century generations of the Adams family. With my own family generations from Boston, Quincy, Braintree and Roxbury, I see shades of my own New England Unitarian upbringing. Democracy is all the more fun because of my years in Washington. The book reinforces my own disengagement from politics, despite my long time in the nation's capital. It is filled with parody of corruption and influence. Washington seems to nothing more than change the names and characters. I did relate to the two characters. Sybil is the down-to-earth practical sort and perhaps the mold for me - not nearly as exciting as Madeline. The story is simple and tastes of the teas and salons of visiting ladies. It mocks the president and senator - Hayes and Blaine - who bring stereotypes to the book that are now more vivid than any other facts of their careers. The feminist in me salutes Abigail Adams and her literary offspring as the women seem more genuine than the men posturing for position.