The Education of Henry Adams

The Education of Henry Adams is an autobiographical work by Henry Adams, originally published privately in 1907 and then posthumously in 1918. It is considered one of the greatest works of American autobiography and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1919.The book explores Adams’ life and education, both formal and informal, as he navigates the dramatic political, social, and technological changes of the 19th century. Born into the prominent Adams family (grandson of President John Quincy Adams and great-grandson of President John Adams), Henry Adams had firsthand exposure to American politics and intellectual life. However, the book presents his lifelong struggle to make sense of a rapidly modernizing world.The book is often praised for its introspective style, its keen historical analysis, and its meditation on the nature of learning and progress. It remains relevant for readers grappling with rapid technological and societal changes today.