One of the greatest books ever to be written on the United States, "Democracy in America" continues to find new readers who marvel at the lasting insights Alexis de Tocqueville had into our nation and its political culture. The work, however, is as challenging as it is important; its arguments can be complex and subtle, and its sheer length can make it difficult for any reader, especially one coming to it for the first time, to grasp Tocqueville's meaning. "The Chicago Companion" to Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" is the first book written expressly to help general readers and students alike get the most out of this seminal work. James T. Schleifer, an expert on Tocqueville, has provided the background and information readers need in order to understand Tocqueville's masterwork. In clear and engaging prose, Schleifer explains why "Democracy in America" is so important, how it came to be written, and how different generations of Americans have interpreted it since its publication. Drawing upon his intimate knowledge of Tocqueville's papers and manuscripts, Schleifer reveals how Tocqueville's ideas took shape and changed even in the course of writing the book. Schleifer also provides a detailed glossary of key terms and passages, all accompanied by generous citations to the relevant pages in the University of Chicago Press' Mansfield/Winthrop translation. "The Chicago Companion" will serve generations of readers as an essential guide to both the man and his work.