What I Saw in America (People's Library edition)

Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1920's. First Thus. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Very Good Condition/No Dust Jacket. 'What I saw in America' is a compilation of articles G.K. Chesterton wrote for an English publication during his trip to the United States in the early 1920s. It includes many insights, perhaps the most famous of which are that America is "a nation with the soul of a church" and that Broadway would be "a glorious garden of wonders … to any one was lucky enough to be unable to read." 'What I Saw in America' tells us as much about the author and his particular views as it does about his destination. Indeed, Chesterton's personalised observations - his aversion to imperialism, capitalism, Anglo-Americanism and his commitment to democracy and fraternity - are distinguished by the piercing wit for which he is famed. Many of Chesterton's reflections are timeless and startlingly prescient. He was highly critical of both the naive immigration policies and the grinding dehumanisation brought about by the growth of the economy. Nonetheless, he was enthralled by the glorious ideals of the nation - founded on principles of equality, democracy and freedom - even if the essence of these ideals had been lost somewhere along the way. 'What I Saw in America' ranks among the finest of Chesterton's works, containing all of the author's virtues and vices: his wry humour, sympathy and intelligence playing devilishly against an irrepressible mischievousness. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. 318 pages. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. Slight foxing front/rear pages, but body of book clean and unfoxed. Previous owner's inscription in ink, neat, dated 1927, to fep.. Black titles spine. blue cloth; blindstamped device to front board. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 500 grams. Category: Travel & Places; America; Articles; Essays; United States; 1920s; Literature & Literary. Inventory No: 4520. .