An instant bestseller when first published in 1880, Democracy is the
quintessential American political novel. At its heart is Madeleine Lee,
a young widow who comes to Washington, D.C., to understand the workings
of power. Pursued by Silas Ratcliffe, the most influential member of the
Senate, Madeleine soon sees enough of power and its corrupting influence
to last her a lifetime.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of
classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700
titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works
throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the
series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and
notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as
up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.