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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... British progressives, and French revolutionaries who are the subjects of this book, after all, considered themselves a forward-thinking global avant-garde, absolutely modern, who believed with all their hearts that they had in their ...
... British progressives, and French revolutionaries who are the subjects of this book, after all, considered themselves a forward-thinking global avant-garde, absolutely modern, who believed with all their hearts that they had in their ...
Page 2
... British army , he followed the House of Commons ' debate on whether to raise taxes to pay soldiers three shillings a week . The men were already supposed to be receiving that sum , but endemic graft meant they got only about half that ...
... British army , he followed the House of Commons ' debate on whether to raise taxes to pay soldiers three shillings a week . The men were already supposed to be receiving that sum , but endemic graft meant they got only about half that ...
Page 3
... British , pro- Federalist Porcupine's Gazette quickly became North America's most widely read periodical . In 1797 he referred to Philadelphia scion and American founding father Benjamin Rush as " Doctor Sangrado , " and denounced his ...
... British , pro- Federalist Porcupine's Gazette quickly became North America's most widely read periodical . In 1797 he referred to Philadelphia scion and American founding father Benjamin Rush as " Doctor Sangrado , " and denounced his ...
Page 6
... British government . What Cobbett could not undo or scarcely bear was Paine's debased reputation . How could the American people ignore this hero , who had convinced their ancestors to renounce the depraved government of their homeland ...
... British government . What Cobbett could not undo or scarcely bear was Paine's debased reputation . How could the American people ignore this hero , who had convinced their ancestors to renounce the depraved government of their homeland ...
Page 19
... British Virginia had heard rumors that the French were construct- ing forts along the western territories of the Ohio River , and the colony's governor sent this boy - volunteering for his first military assignment - to deliver a letter ...
... British Virginia had heard rumors that the French were construct- ing forts along the western territories of the Ohio River , and the colony's governor sent this boy - volunteering for his first military assignment - to deliver a letter ...
Contents
1 | |
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 |
The Religion of Science | 260 |
The Perfidious Mr Morris | 273 |
Utopian Dissolves | 305 |
Provenance | 326 |
Notes | 341 |
Sources | 365 |
Index | 377 |
Other editions - View all
Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations Craig Nelson Limited preview - 2007 |
Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations Craig Nelson Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
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