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
Results 1-5 of 64
Page 3
... Thing , " a Thing that was turning Englishmen away from the nation's great traditions of honor and virtue into a wholly self- interested horde of beasts . Cobbett was baffled and aggrieved . How had this happened The Mission of Atonement 3.
... Thing , " a Thing that was turning Englishmen away from the nation's great traditions of honor and virtue into a wholly self- interested horde of beasts . Cobbett was baffled and aggrieved . How had this happened The Mission of Atonement 3.
Page 4
... Thing . Just a few decades before , there had existed a coterie of men ( and one woman ) known variously as progressives , radicals , philosophes , illumin- isti , and founding fathers , who had come to the fantastical notion that ...
... Thing . Just a few decades before , there had existed a coterie of men ( and one woman ) known variously as progressives , radicals , philosophes , illumin- isti , and founding fathers , who had come to the fantastical notion that ...
Page 5
... Thing and restore England to a golden age of selfless virtue . In returning to his progressive roots , he would have an almost religious conviction that the fount that had awakened him politically and philosophically one full and fi ...
... Thing and restore England to a golden age of selfless virtue . In returning to his progressive roots , he would have an almost religious conviction that the fount that had awakened him politically and philosophically one full and fi ...
Page 6
... things right , then he , who had participated so eagerly in everything that was wrong during his early Tory years in America , would have to make amends . He would perform one heroic , glorious act of atonement that would startle the ...
... things right , then he , who had participated so eagerly in everything that was wrong during his early Tory years in America , would have to make amends . He would perform one heroic , glorious act of atonement that would startle the ...
Page 17
... thing , I could not see for what purpose they preached such sermons . This was not one of those kind of thoughts that had any- thing in it of childish levity ; it was to me a serious reflection , arising from the idea I had that God was ...
... thing , I could not see for what purpose they preached such sermons . This was not one of those kind of thoughts that had any- thing in it of childish levity ; it was to me a serious reflection , arising from the idea I had that God was ...
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