THOMAS PAINE

by John Vail ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 11, 1990

An intelligent survey of the ideas and influence of the author of Common Sense, which popularized the republican principles basic to the American Revolution. Paine, born an English Quaker in 1737, became prophet and spokesman for two revolutions; honored for his writings in defense of American freedom, he returned to Britain and then escaped to revolutionary France after publishing his anti-monarchal The Rights of Man. He survived ten months in prison during the Reign of Terror and emerged to publish The Age of Reason, antagonizing all the established churches with its deist sentiments, and to return to America for his final years. The bulk of the book consists of brisk synopses of the two revolutions; Vail's presentation of Paine's importance and his accomplishments--which were varied and many--is concise and cogent, but is almost lost in the setting he provides for it. Still, this is a useful, authoritative resource. Illustrated with reproductions; further reading (adult works); chronology; index.

Pub Date: March 11, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 112

Publisher: Chelsea House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S