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 4
... never- ending warmongering to her escalating national debt , crushing taxes , and overreliance on paper money . Decline and Fall's author ominously pre- dicted that the Bank of England would fail , and when the following year the bank ...
... never- ending warmongering to her escalating national debt , crushing taxes , and overreliance on paper money . Decline and Fall's author ominously pre- dicted that the Bank of England would fail , and when the following year the bank ...
Page 5
... never breaks out into action . " Two decades later , he would in fact evolve into one of these reforming philosophers himself , carrying on the utopian missions of the previous century in an attempt to destroy the Thing and restore ...
... never breaks out into action . " Two decades later , he would in fact evolve into one of these reforming philosophers himself , carrying on the utopian missions of the previous century in an attempt to destroy the Thing and restore ...
Page 6
... Never will England be what it ought to be until the marble of [ First Minister William ] Pitt's monument is converted into a monument to the memory of Paine . . . . He belongs to England . His fame is the property of England ; and , if ...
... Never will England be what it ought to be until the marble of [ First Minister William ] Pitt's monument is converted into a monument to the memory of Paine . . . . He belongs to England . His fame is the property of England ; and , if ...
Page 7
... never been publicly exhibited , and is regarded as an heirloom .... The gravestone was presented by William Cobbett to Edward Rushton between the 31st Oct , 1819 and the 28th Nov .... The widow [ of Edward Rushton's son ] possesses the ...
... never been publicly exhibited , and is regarded as an heirloom .... The gravestone was presented by William Cobbett to Edward Rushton between the 31st Oct , 1819 and the 28th Nov .... The widow [ of Edward Rushton's son ] possesses the ...
Page 8
... never - ending chain of advocates , apostles , and cultists . For centuries after his death Paine would be remembered as a filthy , poverty - stricken , drunken wastrel and an unoriginal thinker — an image engineered by his great foes ...
... never - ending chain of advocates , apostles , and cultists . For centuries after his death Paine would be remembered as a filthy , poverty - stricken , drunken wastrel and an unoriginal thinker — an image engineered by his great foes ...
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 |
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