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 85
Page 1
... thousand unseen creatures , for though the myriad flocks and herds of the New World would in time be annihilated for their fur , their meat , and the carnal pleasure of taking a life , at that moment the continent was as awash in ...
... thousand unseen creatures , for though the myriad flocks and herds of the New World would in time be annihilated for their fur , their meat , and the carnal pleasure of taking a life , at that moment the continent was as awash in ...
Page 14
... every 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.
... every 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 15
... thousand farmers , unskilled laborers , in- dentured servants , apprentices , journeymen , master craftsmen , merchants , gentry of Thetford , a thousand - year - old East Anglia town built at the confluence of the rivers Thet and ...
... thousand farmers , unskilled laborers , in- dentured servants , apprentices , journeymen , master craftsmen , merchants , gentry of Thetford , a thousand - year - old East Anglia town built at the confluence of the rivers Thet and ...
Page 16
... thousand citizens , thirty - one could vote , which was representative of the country as a whole , with its population of five million and its suffrage of six thousand , erratically applied . When one particularly esthetic Grafton ...
... thousand citizens , thirty - one could vote , which was representative of the country as a whole , with its population of five million and its suffrage of six thousand , erratically applied . When one particularly esthetic Grafton ...
Page 18
... thousand incarcerated had so overwhelmed London's Fleet penitentiary for debtors that there was no room for the newest con- victs , who were ordered instead to live nearby . They were comparatively lucky ; Fleet's annual mortality rate ...
... thousand incarcerated had so overwhelmed London's Fleet penitentiary for debtors that there was no room for the newest con- victs , who were ordered instead to live nearby . They were comparatively lucky ; Fleet's annual mortality rate ...
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