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. |
From inside the book
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Page 3
... march of English history . Now he found that Britain's wealthy had only gotten richer and its working class had fallen further into poverty ; he saw the starving poor riot for food , and the government do nothing except order soldiers ...
... march of English history . Now he found that Britain's wealthy had only gotten richer and its working class had fallen further into poverty ; he saw the starving poor riot for food , and the government do nothing except order soldiers ...
Page 13
... March 4 , 1775 , letter to his benefactor : I did not sail in the vessel I first intended , it not having proper con- veniences , but in the London Packet , Captain Cooke . The exchange was much for the worse . A putrid fever [ probably ...
... March 4 , 1775 , letter to his benefactor : I did not sail in the vessel I first intended , it not having proper con- veniences , but in the London Packet , Captain Cooke . The exchange was much for the worse . A putrid fever [ probably ...
Page 14
... March at Thetford's Guildhall , would be crowded with thousands of locals and holidaymaking tourists hoping for a good courtroom drama , followed by the Christian justice of a public hanging . Every spring , scores 14 THOMAS PAINE.
... March at Thetford's Guildhall , would be crowded with thousands of locals and holidaymaking tourists hoping for a good courtroom drama , followed by the Christian justice of a public hanging . Every spring , scores 14 THOMAS PAINE.
Page 19
... march to the Monongahela to reinforce British troops guarding the frontier . As the redcoats tramped slowly through the wilderness , the area's locals - twenty thousand Iroquois - kept them informed of what lay ahead , especially the ...
... march to the Monongahela to reinforce British troops guarding the frontier . As the redcoats tramped slowly through the wilderness , the area's locals - twenty thousand Iroquois - kept them informed of what lay ahead , especially the ...
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
American appeared army arrived attack became become began believe Benjamin Britain British Burke called cause century 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 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 Press principles printed published Quaker Reason received refused Republic republican Revolution Rights sans-culottes Society Street things Thomas Paine thought thousand tion turn United University Washington whole writing wrote York