Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern NationsA fresh new look at the Enlightenment intellectual who became the most controversial of America's founding fathers Despite his being a founder of both the United States and the French Republic, the creator of the phrase "United States of America," and the author of Common Sense, Thomas Paine is the least well known of America's founding fathers. This edifying biography by Craig Nelson traces Paine's path from his years as a London mechanic, through his emergence as the voice of revolutionary fervor on two continents, to his final days in the throes of dementia. By acquainting us as never before with this complex and combative genius, Nelson rescues a giant from obscurity-and gives us a fascinating work of history. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - Sullywriter - LibraryThingThis is an outstandingl portrait fascinating, wonderfully complex genius. I have read Common Sense and some of American Crisis. This book makes me want to read them again and the rest oif Paine's work. Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - bigmoose - LibraryThingThis was my introduction to Thomas Paine, insightful and informative. A bit slow in later chapters. Nice set up with a beginning chapter describing an event following Paine's death and burial. An ... Read full review
Contents
The Mission of Atonement i | 1 |
Begotten by a Wild Boar on a Bitch Wolf | 12 |
Pragmatic Utopians | 51 |
Hell Is Not Easily Conquered | 101 |
The Silas Deane Affair | 126 |
The Missionary Bereft of His Mission | 146 |
Droits de lHomme ou Droits du Seigneur? | 181 |
The Sovereigns Among Us | 235 |
Other editions - View all
Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations Craig Nelson Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
Adams American appeared army arrived attack became become began believe Benjamin Britain British Burke called cause citizens civil Cobbett colonial Common Sense Congress considered constitution Convention Conway Deane death England English Enlightenment Europe fact finally force France Franklin French George give hand human hundred ideas immediately included independence inspired James Jefferson John John Adams king known later less letter liberty living London March means mind minister monarchy months Morris natural needed never offered original Paine's Paris passed Pennsylvania person Philadelphia Philosophical political present president principles printed published Quaker Reason received refused reported Republic republican Rights sans-culottes society Street things Thomas Paine thought thousand tion took turn United Washington whole writing wrote York
Bibliographic information
| Title | Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations A Penguin book |
| Author | Craig Nelson |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Penguin, 2007 |
| ISBN | 0143112384, 9780143112389 |
| Length | 432 pages |
| Subjects | › › Biography & Autobiography / Historical Biography & Autobiography / Political History / United States / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |