Dear Reader,

This fall, Levenger Press presents a new edition of Alexis de Tocqueville’s Fortnight in the Wilderness. The book represents a portion of the diary that Tocqueville kept when he visited America in 1831, in preparation for writing his extraordinary and still timely work, Democracy in America.

Working on this book, we were reminded of how close the link is between freedom and reading. As a nation, books are in our bones. “There is hardly a pioneer’s hut,” Tocqueville observed more than 150 years ago, “that does not contain a few old volumes of Shakespeare.” And hardly a home today in America that does not contain at least a few books.
When the people at the told us they were joining with public radio stations to present a series on American democracy this fall, we enthusiastically agreed to underwrite the Online Teacher Guide that they’re developing for use in schools. 

Through these guides, young people will exercise their freedom to speak their thoughts—and to read those books that speak to them.

Steve Leveen, President 

 is the focus of radio and Web programming for a full week on public radio stations and networks from November 3-9. The project hopes to spark a national debate on the health of American democracy—in carpools, at kitchen tables and in schools. The Online Teacher Guide will help students delve into essential writings in American history, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.

Click here  for information on the project, the content of the programs and participating radio stations.