The Education of Henry Adams is a non-fiction account in which Adams reflects on changes he has seen throughout his lifetime, from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Having witnessed a period of extreme technological and social change, Adams expresses his difficulties coming to terms with the 20th century and a world that is vastly different than the one he was born into. Since its publication, the book has become an important example of American non-fiction and gives valuable insight into how 19th century thinkers related to a 20th century world.