Improvement of the World

One is a shower of great writings: a history of Tahiti; a state paper proposing the "Recognition of Cuban Independence": two editions of Mont Saint Michel and Chartres; an essay, "Chansons de Geste," still unknown; and a masterpiece, The Education of Henry Adams, the prototype of a new literary form - the education - which Adams discovered and developed." "Present throughout the story are Adams's unfailing practical optimism, perpetual kindness, perfect intellectual honesty, unsurpassable humor, political clairvoyance, amazing industry in research, quickness to generate new ideas, and fidelity to America and democracy."--Jacket.