Thomas Paine: Apostle of Freedom

by Jack Fruchtman Jr.

Book Overview

The leading Thomas Paine expert in the U.S. presents both a biography of the controversial Founding Father and an analysis of his works. Known as "the Voice of the Revolution, " Paine was a truly original thinker, a man whose magnificient, freedom-loving spirit is richly captured in this major biography.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568580630
• ISBN13: 9781568580630
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 1.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The life of Freedom's Founding Father

When asked to name the Founding Fathers of America, most people will name Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin. Those who have read a book or two on the early America may also say Adams, Hamilton, and Madison.I bet that very few people would name Thomas Paine. That is unfortunate and would be fixed quickly if this book were more widely read."Thomas Paine: Apostle of Freedom" devotes little time to Paine's early years, focusing mainly on his life after arriving in America a few years before Independence.Before reading this fine biography, I had not given Thomas Paine much thought beyond being the author of "Common Sense". I now realize the many roles he played in both the American and French revolutions and in furthering the cause of freedom and liberty in an age of monarchy.Also check out:- "Tom Paine and Revolutionary America" by Eric Foner- "46 Pages: Tom Paine, Common Sense, and the Turning Point to Independence" by Scott Liell- "Tom Paine: A Political Life" by John KeaneHighly Recommended!

Definitive book on Paine

The American Revolution's roots in the British which many people thought was 'betrayed' by parliament when it restored the monarchy, the roots of common British and American democratic ideals emerging from the dissenting religions and their notions of justice and equality (it's said that British socialism has more Methodism than Marx in it), the frustrations and ideals of British republicans who invested so much of their hope in the American colonies (not then 'United') shows that even in the l8th century (and presumably before and since) there is a community of men and women who, irrespective of nationality, place justice and liberty above all other human aspirations. What we learn from this book was that Tom Paine wasn't just a great British radical, a great founding father of the American Revolution, an active member of the revolutionary French Tribunal -- he was a critic of all unearned or abused authority wherever he saw it -- from George III to George Washington -- and that he foresaw a world in which every soul enjoyed the same rights and liberties. It was his internationalism, his understanding of the drawbacks as well as the virtues of populist democracy, that made him so relevant to modern readers. You can be sure that Tom Paine would have been at the Seattle demonstrations and would have no doubt been considerably more eloquent in his criticisms of international big business than anyone alive today! He speaks to us as clearly and as authoritatively as he spoke to his first readers -- who made his work best-sellers in America, Britain and France -- and this is the first book I have read which does its great subject the justice he deserves. He shouldn't just have a statue in Washington -- he should have one in London and Paris. It is his ideas of common liberty and justice which unite people around the world, perhaps even more now than in his own day. Read this book and you will understand how valuable democracy is and how hard it was to win, how hard it remains to keep it vital and uncorrupted. Everyone interested in modern politics should read this book.

This book is just what I hoped it would be

After watching a PBS documentary on the Revolution, I was fascinated by Paine's involvement and wanted to know more. I searched for a book that would give me some insight into not only Paine's life but also his writing. The book was enthralling and understandable, even for a novice.

The best biography on Thomas Paine!

Thomas Paine is one of the great unsung heroes of early American history. He didn't come from an affluent family, he never held high public office, and he never had any money. There are no monuments in Washington D.C. or Philadelphia dedicated to Mr. Paine, he's not on any currency and he's affectively been eclipsed by many other revolutionary heroes- that are quite frankly his inferiors. Thomas Paine has been shortchanged in history because he was a drunk, an atheist and an all around unpleasant person (well...if he didn't like you, anyway). Despite his shortcomings, and the numerous attacks that have come from his critics, Tom Paine was the conscience of the American revolution. He wrote several pamphlets and articles that called the American populous to action and galvanized revolutionary thought, not only during America's fight for independence, but also for the French who were about to engage in their own revolution.Jack Fruchman has done a fine job of giving us Mr. Paine with all his imperfections and accomplishments. I recommend that every serious student of American history read this biography of one of our great patriots, thinkers and writers. I just admonish you not to forget to read the words of Thomas Paine himself. His thinking is as important and relevent today as it was 225 years ago.

A brilliantly done biography of a great man

Thomas Paine is America's most unappreciated Founding Father. Although his contributions were perhaps as great as those of Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington, we have not even gone to the trouble of erecting a statue of him in Washington D.C. Fruchtman's biography gives a wonderful portrait of this complicated man. Most studies of Paine tend to be overly apologetic or overly critical; Fruchtman succeeds in giving him balanced treatment. He is frank about Paine's successes and Paine's failures. This biography should be considered the definitive work on Thomas Paine. Anyone who loves freedom should study the life of this remarkable American. Fruchtman's biography is a good place to start.