cover image Better in Darkness: A Biography of Henry Adams: His Second Life, 1862-1891

Better in Darkness: A Biography of Henry Adams: His Second Life, 1862-1891

Edward Chalfant. Archon Books, $52.5 (929pp) ISBN 978-0-208-02041-3

Continuing the astonishing adventure begun in Both Sides of the Ocean (1982), Chalfant's towering biography follows indefatigable Henry Adams (1838-1915) in his diverse roles as a power-broker in Washington, D.C., Harvard professor, historian, muckraking journalist who exposed financier Jay Gould's swindles, diplomat, novelist, world traveler and ethnologist of Tahiti. In an often startling, continually absorbing narrative, professor emeritus Chalfant (Hofstra Univ., N.Y.) discusses the positive influence of Adams's egalitarian marriage to vivacious Marian (``Clover'') Hooper, whose suicide in 1885, resulting from her mental illness, shattered him. Tapping family documents, Chalfant discloses that Adams respected his wife's decision to end her life; a professed agnostic, he remained a religious believer and prayed in secret. We also meet an unconditional democrat who quietly urged policymakers to initiate federal programs to redistribute wealth and close the widening gap between rich and poor. Photos. (Jan.)