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Thomas Paine

Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations

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Thomas Paine

By: Craig Nelson
Narrated by: Paul Hecht
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About this listen

John Adams told Thomas Jefferson that “history is to ascribe the American Revolution to Thomas Paine.” Thomas Edison called him “the equal of Washington in making American liberty possible.” He was a founder of both the United States and the French Revolution. He invented the phrase, “The United States of America.” He rose from abject poverty in working-class England to the highest levels of the era’s intellectual elite. And yet, by the end of his life, Thomas Paine was almost universally reviled. He had run afoul of Washington, broke with Robespierre and narrowly escaped the guillotine, and was all but exiled from his native England.

©2006 Craig Nelson (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC Americas Historical Politicians Politics & Activism Revolution & Founding United States England French Revolution
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A truly controversial figure, a writer with few equals, and man who stands by his beliefs. It helped a lot to know of the context surrounding the many massive figures surrounding Mr. Paine, to understand the impact on the world he impressively lived in for so long. A enjoyed the book, and enjoyed the sidestories elaborating on the people and world surrounding him as context for easier understanding.

A man as easily loved as hated.

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I am very impressed with the amount of historical context given in the book. I really had no idea how oppressed the American colonists were and I can see why they revolted. I also knew very little about the French Revolution and learned a lot about that too.

fascinating - great man, good biography

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A fascinating portrait of a complex genius, the world he lived in, and the intellectual context of his achievements. The reader is also excellent.

The best biography of Thomas Paine

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