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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Page 26
... reason in all matters . . . . The question may now be put : Do we live at present in an enlightened age ? The answer is : No , but in an age of enlightenment . Much still prevents men from being placed in a position or even being placed ...
... reason in all matters . . . . The question may now be put : Do we live at present in an enlightened age ? The answer is : No , but in an age of enlightenment . Much still prevents men from being placed in a position or even being placed ...
Page 33
... reason than to cite a prior authority . It is implausible that he took part in the Enlightenment in London and the Rev- olution in Philadelphia , and impressed such a panoply of his era's great thinkers , without having read the same ...
... reason than to cite a prior authority . It is implausible that he took part in the Enlightenment in London and the Rev- olution in Philadelphia , and impressed such a panoply of his era's great thinkers , without having read the same ...
Page 44
... reasons , it might wish to do so for the pragmatic purpose of lowering crime rates : “ Poverty , in defiance of ... reason to feel proud - an inspirational element that would appear in all his major works . Each taxman was convinced ...
... reasons , it might wish to do so for the pragmatic purpose of lowering crime rates : “ Poverty , in defiance of ... reason to feel proud - an inspirational element that would appear in all his major works . Each taxman was convinced ...
Page 49
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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