The Essential Thomas Paine (Essentials) - Softcover
Synopsis
The impassioned democratic voice of the Age of Revolution, Thomas Paine fought for American liberty with words and deeds. His Common Sense galvanized the colonists to form the United States and declare independence from Great Britain. The American Crisis—opening with the immortal cry, "These are the times that try men's souls"—rallied the young nation's war-weary troops and citizens. Upon his return to Europe, Paine continued to promote freedom by proclaiming The Rights of Man and decrying religious persecution with The Age of Reason.
The brilliant social and political philosopher possessed a gift for stating complex ideas in concise terms, making him one of the first journalists to write in language accessible to anyone who could read. This anthology features highlights from Paine's best-known works, along with selections from his letters, articles, and pamphlets. Editor John Dos Passos—the acclaimed author of Three Soldiers and the epic U.S.A. trilogy—distills the radical intellectual's philosophy into a single cohesive volume that resounds with ever-relevant views on democracy and justice.
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About the Author
Thomas Paine was born in Thetford, England, in 1737, the son of a staymaker. He had little schooling and worked at a number of jobs, including tax collector, a position he lost for agitating for an increase in excisemens pay. Persuaded by Benjamin Franklin, he emigrated to America in 1774. In 1776 he began his American Crisis series of thirteen pamphlets, and also published the incalculably influential Common Sense, which established Paine not only as a truly revolutionary thinker, but as the American Revolutions fiercest political theorist. In 1787 Paine returned to Europe, where he became involved in revolutionary politics. In England his books were burned by the public hangman. Escaping to France, Paine took part in drafting the French constitution and voted against the kings execution. He was imprisoned for a year and narrowly missed execution himself. In 1802 he returned to America and lived in New York State, poor, ill and largely despised for his extremism and so-called atheism (he was in fact a deist). Thomas Paine died in 1809. His body was exhumed by William Cobbett, and the remains were taken to England for a memorial burial. Unfortunately, the remains were subsequently lost.
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- PublisherSignet
- Publication date1969
- ISBN 10 0451609328
- ISBN 13 9780451609328
- BindingMass Market Paperback
- LanguageEnglish
- EditorHook Sidney
- Rating
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