Thomas Paine and the Promise of Averica Book Review
I'm on something of a Thomas Paine kick, e'er since hearing Kaye'south wonderful interview with WPR's Kathleen Dunn a few weeks agone. I've also read Paine books by Christopher Hitchens and John Keane. I tried to read one about Paine'south 'Common Sense' past Glenn Beck, only information technology was so stupid I couldn't read beyond the first few pages. Beck's view is disturbingly skewed. I'm quite certain Mr. Paine, an avowed religious skeptic, would be horrified to learn how his revolutionary treatise has been hijacked for a right-fly political pundit'due south nefarious purposes. This book by Kaye is wonderful, though. "We accept it in our power to brainstorm the world anew," Paine wrote in "Common Sense." This is a good thing to remember as the land heads into an uncertain political future subsequently the dramatic 2010 election.
First off, Kaye and I have completely reverse political views. This is one reason I loved this volume. Kaye reveals the history and reasoning behind his liberal political views. One-half the book is on Paine, the other on the ripple Paine's thoughts left in history. Interesting and thought provoking.
I could non put it down, was like a mini history of America and how the words of Paine influenced the thinking of the people over the years. More importantly , how the politicians used the words and do so right upward to this time. Want to reread shortly.
What you would expect from a typical college professor. Undoubtedly profound to the pseudo-intellectuals.
What a slog. The first and last chapters were the simply ones I enjoyed. The rest was just a wide-strokes re-cap of American history, listing diverse historical figured who liked/were inspired by Paine's works contrasted against those who didn't. Very repetitive.
America's revolutionary and progressive traditions are alive and well! Inspiring and informative.
This is well written, riveting, essential history for all citizens of the USA.
When Ronald Reagan gave his good day address in early on 1989, he made reference to John Winthrop and his biblical phrase "a city upon a hill." Notwithstanding, he eschewed the context Winthrop used the phrase in—equally a model Christian city in which all citizens had their proper places in society firmly dictated to them—and turned Winthrop into a "Liberty Human being," a lost pilgrim whose success was adamant solely past his hard work and initiative. Harvey J. Kaye begins his book on Thomas Paine at a similar identify—when Ronald Reagan echoed Paine'south language, saying, "We accept information technology in our ability to begin the world over once again." Kaye uses this anecdote not only to point out that once an thought, symbol, or phrase is out there in the cultural sphere, anyone can use it in whatsoever style even if information technology becomes antithetical to its original meaning, but also to fence that it is the true progressives who most closely follow in Paine's footsteps and should be the ones utilizing his language. Starting time with his upbringing, Kaye gives several reasons why Paine was to become the revolutionary democrat that he became. His father was an artisan of modest ways and the immature Thomas had many early experiences witnessing the lives of the working poor, giving him more than empathy for the destitute and downtrodden than many of the aristocratic Founding Fathers had. His male parent was also a Quaker and infused some of their religious ideals into his son, such every bit the rejection of religious authority, the refusal to pay tithes, and a more welcoming attitude toward women. Paine was unsuccessful in a number of occupations earlier he came to America in the autumn of 1774 and found his calling every bit an inspiring vocalism to rally the troops and stoke the phone call for independence. His beginning major work, Common Sense—still proportionally the best selling American document of all time—helped plow a state that yet largely wanted to reunite with Britain into a country thirsty to exist independent. Kaye by and large succeeds in his attempts to ready the record direct on Paine. (I found his attempts to bear witness Paine's influence on Lincoln to be a bit forced.) He shows through a thorough, and, at times, dull, reviewing of many individuals and organizations the long shadow that Paine has cast over the state. Prominent figures, such equally Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and Eugene Debs as well as various labor unions, women'southward rights activists, and the Wintertime Soldiers in the Vietnam Veterans against the War amidst many others have all culled forth the words of Paine either directly or indirectly. In some circles, particularly more establishment-oriented ones and beginning with the Federalist John Adams, he never had much standing, but in others, he has persistently inspired. Kaye too wrests Paine's intentions away from conservatives and libertarians. At times, his words could sound like he was against government in all forms. Just since he believed that "God had provided the land as a collective endowment for humanity," he advocated for a tax on landed wealth and property to requite back to the people who had been dispossessed of land. He was opposed to regime when it became tyrannical; he was for it when it could provide succor and equality.
Thomas Paine and the Promise of America by Harvey J. Kaye is a biography about the famous English-American political activist during the American revolution. Mr. Kaye is an American historian currently working every bit the the Managing director of the Center for History and Social Change at the University of Wisconsin. This is a biography, and cess of the life of Mr. Paine, all in the context of the American Revolutionary State of war. The volume also touches on how Mr. Paine's political philosophy inverse our way of thinking, our country and fifty-fifty influences American politics to this day. Thomas Paine's virtually famous work, Common Sense, a pamphlet written in 1775-1776 which advocates independence from Great Britain influenced many important people and an argument tin be made that without it the revolution might not have happened. Paine'southward vision of democracy inspired many and frightened some, since his background every bit a working class individual spoke more to the masses than the aristocratic background of many of America's founding fathers. Thomas Paine's work influenced many radicals during, and afterward, his lifetime. These radicals called for such extreme change such equally ending slavery, women's equality, off-white wages and so on. The book devotes almost half of it to the public perception and appreciation of Mr. Paine, sometimes decades and centuries after his decease. As nosotros all know at this point, Paine's "radical" views gained acceptance over the years and now became standard. This is a well written, facilitating book almost an influential political activist and philosopher. I plant it fascinating that, despite being a best-selling author, Mr. Paine refused to profit from his political writings and donated his profits them to purchase mittens for General Richard Montgomery's troops. For more than reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
"These are the times that effort men's souls." Paine wrote those words over 200 years ago, never knowing how prescient they would be. The author certainly did, as Kaye's book shows us just how important Paine's writings were, how of import the homo was. Kaye shows how, unlike the Founders who endemic slaves (Washington, Jefferson,) or those who distrusted democracy (Adams, Hamilton,) Paine always believed in the Revolution and, with his writings convinced many Americans of its rightness, too. The first one-half of the volume deals with those writings, and how Paine came to be an American. An Englishman past nascency, he would fall in love with this new country. Seeing both its good and bad sides, he would be one of the first to call for the abolition of slavery. Lexington and Concord would make Paine a radical. Equally Kay writes, "America had transformed Paine. He would now transform America." He would practise then with Common Sense. His writings would continue to influence Americans' thinking, both during the War and after. Problems would arrive with the publication of his Age of Reason, because Paine always told the truth every bit he saw it. But though many were against him, the people, and his friend, Thomas Jefferson, knew that the Republican movement depended on Paine'south writings. The second half of the volume deals with how Americans have seen and dealt with Paine'south legacy. His words would reflect down the years with labor unions, agrarian organizations, progressives, and suffragettes. They would carry America through a depression and two world wars. Yet, as the writer shows, Americans seem to take a short memory, returning to nativism, religiosity, and cruel conservatism fourth dimension and time over again. Hopefully, Paine'south words will one time once more lead u.s.a. onto the true path.
I dear reading about history and especially this period in America's history. Kaye's bio of Paine felt like a primer and left me interested in reading more - a deeper look into a fascinating historical figure and a writer for his times. That the second half of the volume is how Paine's writings have been used through history began as an interesting take on his biography just it became weighted down with a multitude of names and seemed to wander through the weeds. I kept wishing it were more focused.
An interesting take on the bio of Thomas Paine and his ongoing influence of American idea and history. The author ties Paine to many of the presidents, movements, candidates and events. Stating Paine'southward influence on the Anarchists of the late 1800's, the Socialist move led past Eugene Debs, the Freedom Marchers of the 1960's and finishing upwards with both Presidents Reagan and Clinton, the writer states that Paine influenced them all. Right, wrong or misguided, the volume was fascinating.
This is not a biography or a mere summation of Paine'south writing: it is something amend. It is a look at how Americans have, through the years and generations and political tides, embraced or derided Paine'south bold feeling about the CONTINUED promise of America. This book attempts to remind Americans that the revolution never ended, that we tin brand the globe over once again, even when times and circumstances seem bleak.
Seemed to be very well written and I enjoyed the kickoff half where I learned quite a bit about Mr Paine and the land of the state in those early on days. Unfortunately about one-half way through it diverged off to talk over many other folks and how they reacted to Paine. It got pretty repetitive and I lost interest as the main thread seemed to lose focus. I found myself non wanting to pick information technology up once again so abandoned information technology one-half manner through.
Practiced book, but I wish more than just the first half would've been dedicated to biographical text well-nigh Paine. Although the ripples Paine sent throughout American history are interesting, some more detail about the man himself would've been appreciated. It got me interested in revolutionary history with many "side trips" online about different events, and I programme to read Common Sense next.
I enjoy well written biographies and have developed a great adoration for Paine through biographies of Washington, Franklin, and Adams. This unfortunately was not a well written biography but rather possessed the style of mere news manufactures strung together, every bit in the writing was as captivating as such articles. There was no feeling simply rather only direct forward facts.
This is both a biography of Paine and a review of his influence since the Revolutionary War. I thought it was quite interesting and it has motivated me to read Common Sense and the Age of Reason, too equally Other of his writings. The book concludes with suggestions on how progressives should rely on Paine and his ideas in appealing to our fellow Americans in the future. Very good book.
Even though the kickoff 4 capacity had am obvious motive to paint Paine in the image of Kaye, it was withal enjoyable and informative. Afterward that... the volume degenerated into a pitifully organized mishmash of biographies on people who may take been, even if ever so slightly, influenced by Paine. Very dissappointing.
Non what I expected. This is non a biography of Thomas Paine, in fact he dies earlier the half. It is more virtually how his ideas and quotes were used to motivate movements throughout U.South. Some of it was pretty good, I guess, seemed a little self-justifying for the most part.
I picked this up to fill a hole in my knowledge about Mr. Paine and his writings. I only read the first half that covers his life and major works. The second half gets into later implications which was not my interest. It filled my demand, so in that respect a good read.
Contributing fundamentally to the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the struggles of the British workers in the industrial Revolution, Thomas Paine was 1 of the most remarkable political writers of the modernistic world and the greatest radical of a radical historic period. Paine was America's greatest Revolutionary and it was he who sparked the torch of liberty. Thomas Paine proudly maintained that " America is the simply country in the world how to treat organized religion," for " in America we consider the supposition of such powers as a species of tyrannic arrogance, and do non grant liberty of censor as a favor simply confirmed it equally a correct."At the same time he never lost sight of the dangers of grade. Admonishing his swain citizens-the well off in item-not to forget that " in all countries where the freedom of the poor has been taken away, in whole or in part, that the freedom of the rich lost its defence force," he insisted that " freedom must have all or none, and she must have them equally.Whatever of these words audio familiar? They should. His friends formed the Constitution of the United states based on his volume " Common Sense". After the American Revolutionary war and the French Revolution he wrote "The Age of Reason" denouncing organized religion as a hoax the people of the U.S took away his citizenship. Though he died in America very few attended his funeral. No public dignitaries were present. The French woman Madame De Bonneville and her sons would think: To my son I read the lines of our hero past memory "These are the time that effort men's souls:The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of our state; but he who stands it at present, deserves the dear and thanks of every man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; still nosotros have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What nosotros obtain too inexpensive, we esteem as well lightly-- 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value."-Thomas Paine- the Spirit of world liberty.
Contemplating who it was, what man it was, that we were committing to an obscure grave on an open up and disregarded chip of land, I could non help feeling virtually acutely. Before the globe was thrown down upon the coffin, I placing myself at the east of the grave, said to my son Benjamen, "stand y'all you there, at the other end, as a witness for grateful America." Looking round me, and beholding the minor group of spectators, I exclaimed as the earth was tumbled into the grave, " Oh! Mr Paine.! My son stands hither every bit testimony of the gratitude of America, and I, for France!" This was the funeral ceremony of this swell pol and philosopher!
The first one/iv - ane/3 of this volume is a biographical sketch of the autodidact Thomas Paine; the remainder of the book is a history of the American movements which were influenced by him -- and in that location were many. Information technology is interesting to note that Paine's influence was tremendous within months of his arrival in Philadelphia in 1774; he was adamantly opposed to privilege and rule past elites and and then was thoroughly hated by the Adams/Hamilton/Federalist bunch. Within months of Paine'due south decease in 1809, the Federalists had a biography written which attacked him equally a boozer, dirty and an atheist. That epitome has been perpetuated throughout the centuries. There is no monument to Paine in DC or in Philadelphia even though his words from Common Sense commencement called for a union of the colonies, independence from the British crown and autonomous dominion. Paine after left the US and returned to his native Britain and so moved to revolutionary France while writing his later works: Rights of Man, Agrarian Justice, The Age of Reason and such. Considering he opposed the capital punishment (said that a new authorities should reject all methods that had been used by their previous oppressors to subjugate the people), he was sentenced to the guillotine and narrowly escaped. Definitely a idea-provoking read: this volume challenges the idea that the US has always been the champion of free thought, free spoken language and the gratis printing.
Read the outset couple of chapters so put this downwardly. The author does a nice job of detailing Paine'south life and writing and so goes into a terribly long listing of every one who ever thought of or actually mentioned Paine in their writings or words. I really became confused at the purpose served by the last several capacity. If the author wanted to describe how common Paine'southward ideas are in guild he could have done information technology in a couple of paragraphs, one chapter at most. There was no value in describing it in such minutia. I eventually skimmed the terminal couple of pages and read the final paragraphs equally there appeared to be no cease in sight from each and every reference to Paine ever made by anyone since his decease. I would not read this again or recommend it to anyone. I wanted to larn more most Paine and I achieved that even though I'g not sure what the author was trying to accomplish with this book.
This is a skilful introduction to Tom Paine, but it is not a very thorough bio. The author's intent is to show Paine's influence on progressives through the history of the United states of america rather than to give the reader a detailed bio of Paine or a detailed assay of his work. I call back I would have preferred the detailed analysis and bio. But this was pretty practiced also. My problem with it is that he gives most of the progressives who were influenced by Paine virtually ii paragraphs, so you don't go much item there either. He lists lots of fascinating people, merely you lot just get a brief introduction to them and overview of them.
This book was role history of Thomas Paine and his times, and role history of how Thomas Paine has been both lauded and condemned throughout American history. Kaye identifies unapologetically with the Left, and then it is interesting to read an overview of American history from that perspective. We are so used to identifying with i side or the other that nosotros forget that our "adept guys" are the "bad guys" for the other side. Kaye did a tremendous amount of research for this book. He seems to have tracked down every reference to Paine in our history! Really insightful, and shows how Americans of all stripes have used Paine for their own purposes.
Read
August 6, 2013 'In a pocket-sized manner, this volume attempts to practice for the Left what The Conservative Mind did for the Correct half a century ago. Back and then, nothing seemed so un-American every bit conservatism, the political philosophy of a Metternich or a Bismarck rather than an Adams or a Madison. Fifty-fifty Sen. Robert A. Taft, "Mr. Republican," called himself a liberal. Today, tides of political way having turned, Harvey Kaye finds himself having to make the case that liberalism is no late transplant to these shores merely has roots in soil as deep and old equally the Revolution itself.' Read the total review, "American Revolutionist," on our website:
http://www.theamericanconservative.co...
The first half of the book is an excellent history of Painite thought through the course of Thomas Paine's life. The second half reads like a catalog of people on the left who used Paine in their arguments. This second half was like reading a catalog of names, dates and places and lacked the flow and passion of the first one-half.
Only the offset 1/iii of the book was actually about the life and writing of Thomas Paine. The remainder was a history of various liberal, communist and socialist movements and writers in America that cited Paine as a source for their inspiration. I enjoyed the portion that was actually about Paine, but had no interest in any of the rest.
Desire to Read
March 10, 2009Thomas Paine is apace condign i of my favorite historical figures. His works were absolutely vital to inspiring the independence of our country. It is shocking how piddling people know about Thomas Paine and unfortunate that his contribution to our country seems to take been forgotten.
Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/99958
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