Be Specific About Books Conducive To Tom Paine: A Political Life
Original Title: | Tom Paine: A Political Life (Grove Great Lives) |
ISBN: | 0802139647 (ISBN13: 9780802139641) |
Edition Language: | English |
Literary Awards: | Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award (1996) |
John Keane
Paperback | Pages: 576 pages Rating: 4.24 | 84 Users | 18 Reviews
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"More than any other public figure of the eighteenth century, Tom Paine strikes our times like a trumpet blast from a distant world." So begins John Keane's magnificent and award-winning (the Fraunces Tavern Book Award) biography of one of democracy's greatest champions. Among friends and enemies alike, Paine earned a reputation as a notorious pamphleteer, one of the greatest political figures of his day, and the author of three best-selling books, Common Sense, The Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason. Setting his compelling narrative against a vivid social backdrop of prerevolutionary America and the French Revolution, John Keane melds together the public and the shadowy private sides of Paine's life in a remarkable piece of scholarship. This is the definitive biography of a man whose life and work profoundly shaped the modern age. "Provide[s] an engaging perspective on England, America, and France in the tumultuous years of the late eighteenth century." -- Pauline Maier, The New York Times Book Review "It is hard to imagine this magnificent biography ever being superceded.... It is a stylish, splendidly erudite work." -- Terry Eagleton, The GuardianPresent Regarding Books Tom Paine: A Political Life
Title | : | Tom Paine: A Political Life |
Author | : | John Keane |
Book Format | : | Paperback |
Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
Pages | : | Pages: 576 pages |
Published | : | January 21st 2003 by Grove Press (first published 1995) |
Categories | : | Biography. Politics. History. Nonfiction. North American Hi.... American History |
Rating Regarding Books Tom Paine: A Political Life
Ratings: 4.24 From 84 Users | 18 ReviewsCrit Regarding Books Tom Paine: A Political Life
Good book; plan to read again, should time allow.When it shall be said in any country in the world, "My poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive" when these things can be said then may that country boast of its constitution and its government. The Rights of Man Part TwoToday I found an old document on which my "best reads of 2012" were listed. The non-fiction entries wereThe Spanish Civil War: A Very
When it shall be said in any country in the world, "My poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive" when these things can be said then may that country boast of its constitution and its government. The Rights of Man Part TwoToday I found an old document on which my "best reads of 2012" were listed. The non-fiction entries wereThe Spanish Civil War: A Very
Tom Paine is a freedom hero. Despite a lack of formal education, he was an agitator for freedom in three different countries: United States (before they were the United States), United Kingdom, and France. In each country he wrote a seminal exhortation to action: Common Sense, The Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason. His war on tyranny by states and religion is still relevant today.Keane reveals the price Paine paid for his agitation. In France he was imprisoned and daily feared the guillotine.
My only criticism is: for as thick as this book is, I would have liked to hear more about Paine's relationship with all of the great historical figures he knew, since that is one of the things that makes Paine so interesting. Also Keane has a tendency to interject his own views into the narrative and sometimes it becomes hard to discern where Paine's views end and Keane's began. Otherwise it was a first rate biography. Keane is a great writer and the book reads more like exciting fiction than
Tom Paine: A Political Life (Grove Great Lives) by John Keane (2003)
A well-written, unbiased popular history of this revolutionist who opposed organized religion. The author does an excellent job of placing Paine's writings in their historical context. Not a hagiography. Paine is presented with his human flaws intact, including his stunning arrogance. Full review of this and other titles at greatnonfictionbooks.blogspot.com
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