The Education of Henry Adams is an autobiography by Henry Adams, but it does not described what happened to him in his life. Instead, it remarks upon the gradual world changes that occurred during his lifetime, which was 1838-1918.
Living in such a vivid time after the American Civil War and before the First World War, Adams expresses some concern over whether science and technology was advancing too much.
He also comments on how the changes in the world were happening so quickly that the educational system could not catch up. He states that, as he was growing up, he was taught classic literature and ideas, which had become outdated. For example, the writing style had changed, and agricultural life had made way for industrial life. Because of these rapid advances, there was, he argued, no point to having schooling, as it did not prepare you for the future.
The book is strong in knowledge on Clarence King and John Milton Hay, who were close friends with Henry Adams. For example, King, who was a Western American explorer, is said to have made great advances in the western world, despite the fact that he is not as well known as explorers like Louis and Clark. Milton Hay, who became a Secretary of State, is also mentioned as an important figure.
Adams does not mention his personal life often, and this is likely because it hurt him emotionally. His wife, Clover, became ill and committed suicide in 1885, which scarred him for life. He subsequently left out information about many things from the 1875-1895 period.
