Despotism and Democracy: A Study in Washington Society and Politics

** "Despotism and Democracy: A Study in Washington Society and Politics" by Molly Elliot Seawell is a story set in early 1900s Washington, D.C., that examines the lives of politicians through the eyes of Geoffrey Thorndyke and Julian Crane. Each man offers a different perspective on ambition and power. Thorndyke, a veteran Congressman, has a realistic view of political life, while Crane, a young and ambitious politician who has recently received promotions, wants to climb the social ladder. The conversations between the main characters highlight ambition, societal expectations, and the complex political world they inhabit. **