{"product_id":"an-american-politician-f-marion-crawford-9798897731565","title":"An American Politician","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn American Politician: A Novel (1884) is a work by Francis Marion Crawford, an American writer known for his novels and stories set in various international locales. Though Crawford spent much of his life in Europe, this novel focuses on American politics and society in the late 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story follows the political and romantic entanglements of its characters, particularly John Harrington, a principled and ambitious politician. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, idealism, and love, set against the backdrop of Boston's high society and Washington's political machinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKey Themes\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePolitical Ambition vs. Integrity - The protagonist struggles with maintaining his moral compass while navigating the cutthroat world of politics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eClass and Society - The novel critiques the elitism and social expectations of Gilded Age America.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRomantic Entanglements - Personal relationships complicate political ambitions, particularly through Harrington's interactions with women like Sybil Brandon and Josephine Thorn.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmerican Democracy - The book questions whether true democracy can survive in a system dominated by wealth and influence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile not as famous as Crawford's Italian-set novels (like Saracinesca), An American Politician offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century U.S. political culture. Some critics found it overly didactic, but others praised its sharp social commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrancis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was a prolific American writer, best known for his numerous novels and classic weird and fantastical stories. Born in Italy, he spent much of his life abroad, particularly in Italy, which became the setting for many of his works.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrawford was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. He received a diverse education, studying at St. Paul's School, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. In 1879, he traveled to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Upon returning to America, he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, Mr. Isaacs (1882), which quickly achieved success. This was followed by Doctor Claudius (1883). In 1883, he returned to Italy, where he resided permanently, eventually purchasing and remodeling the Villa Renzi, which became Villa Crawford, in Sant'Agnello. He also wrote historical works, including Ave Roma Immortalis (1898) and The Rulers of the South (1900).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrawford was incredibly prolific, producing some forty novels and a play. At the height of his career, his books outsold those of any other contemporary fiction writer in England or the United States. He died in 1909 in Sorrento, Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e F. Marion Crawford\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798897731565\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bibliotech Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/25\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 152\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.42lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.38d","brand":"F. Marion Crawford","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48154126418175,"sku":"9798897731565","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_4156f2df-0ff7-4ada-84cd-6c7b132dd407.jpg?v=1770788068","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/an-american-politician-f-marion-crawford-9798897731565","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}