The Hero Returns
Lafayette and the Legacy of Revolution
Will be published approx. on 25. August 2026
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-0-300-28090-6 (ISBN)
Description
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 fourteen-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-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.
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 fourteen-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-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.
Reviews / Votes
"Brookhiser offers the most insightful account yet of Lafayette's tour, analyzing the state of the union on the eve of its 50th anniversary and asking where we stand in relation to our founding ideals today."-Laura Auricchio, author of The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered"Brookhiser fuses Lafayette's journey with an enduring collective reflection on the promise of the American Revolution: a meticulous, timely study for the 2026 commemorations of independence that captures the lasting influence of a pivotal transatlantic figure."-Emilie Mitran, author of Des Americains en France, 1776-1792, Quand l'independance americaine se jouait a Paris
"The Hero Returns is another home run by Richard Brookhiser. Following his previous biographies of Washington, Marshall, Lincoln, and John Trumbull, Brookhiser remains one of our leading popular biographers. This book makes an important contribution to the recovery of a vital figure from the American Revolution."-Steven B. Smith, author of On Statesmanship
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-300-28090-6 (9780300280906)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Richard Brookhiser is a senior editor of National Review and a fellow of the National Review Institute. His books include Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution; Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington; and Founders' Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln. He lives in New York City.