Thomas Paine and the Clarion Call for American Independence

De: Harlow Giles Unger

Narrado por: Peter Berkrot

From New York Times bestselling author and Founding Fathers' biographer Harlow Giles Unger comes the astonishing biography of the man whose pen set America ablaze, inspiring its revolution, and whose ideas about reason and religion continue to try men's souls.

Thomas Paine's words were like no others in history: they leaped off the page, inspiring readers to change their lives, their governments, their kings, and even their gods. In an age when spoken and written words were the only forms of communication, Paine's aroused men to action like no one else. The most widely read political writer of his generation, he proved to be more than a century ahead of his time, conceiving and demanding unheard-of social reforms that are now integral elements of modern republican societies. Among them were government subsidies for the poor, universal housing and education, pre- and post-natal care for women, and universal social security. An Englishman who emigrated to the American colonies, he formed close friendships with Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, and his ideas helped shape the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
However, the world turned against Paine in his later years. While his earlier works, Common Sense and Rights of Man, attacked the political and social status quo here on earth, The Age of Reason attacked the status quo of the hereafter. Former friends shunned him, and the man America had hailed as the muse of the American Revolution died alone and forgotten.

Packed with action and intrigue, soldiers and spies, politics and perfidy, Unger's Thomas Paine is a much-needed new look at a defining figure.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Masterful; a great work.... [Unger] successfully captured the essence of Paine and his position in history."—Gary Berton, Thomas Paine National Historical Association

"Unger brings to vivid life familiar historical characters."—Publishers Weekly

"Unger is not only a superior story teller...[and] gifted researcher; he sweeps the reader into the story."—New York Journal of Books

"Unger's [work] is a beacon of vivid, accessible, and thought-provoking biography."—Richmond Times-Dispatch

"A brisk and spirited biography,... passionate...and eloquent"—Wall Street Journal

"A fine biography of one of America's greatest polemicists....vivid, insightful"—Kirkus Reviews

Forgotten Man of Revolutions

A very engrossing biography due to the fact that Thomas Paine was a very complicated man.

This man’s mind for freedom and equality, as well as revolution are laid bare in this book for better, and for worse, Thomas Paine was respected and reviled. The author goes into great detail to describe why this occurred and how did Thomas Paine dealt with these tribulations. This was very enlightening to me as I knew very little about Thomas Paine and his influence on both the American Revolution as well as the French Revolution.

I was aware from the reading of biographies of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin that Paine was ostracized late in life for his rejection of all religions and their various creation stories. As an avowed Deist, he rejected his Quaker upbringing, and specifically the divinity of Jesus Christ. The author goes into great detail about Paine’s logical attack on both the Old and New Testaments. My only reason for a one star deduction was the fact that this was regurgitated a couple of times in the book. All the detail was very helpful in understanding Paine and his incessant rebuttals and f anything he disagreed with. The second dive into his works on the Age of Reason seemed unnecessary and detracted from the ending of the book. Perhaps another reading will change my mind on this. However, it seemed more like the author was making some sort of point related to organized religion for readers like myself who are believers as opposed to a necessary part of the story. This is a minor detail, and should not distract others from reading or listening to this book. Overall, it is very well done.

This was a very intriguing story, and a lot of detail on somebody I knew very little about. So I’m very pleased to have listen to the audio version. The reader, Peter Berkot, did a marvelous job. He made it very easy to listen to, and I would definitely listen again.

One take away from this book was the level of intrigue amongst the American patriots and the British and French officials involved in the American as well as the French revolutions. As the Bible says, “there is nothing new under the sun,” and it is very obvious that human beings have acted in their own self beginning of time. Which somewhat undercuts the ability to have a representative government. I even reflected on this from the French Revolution to current time with United States, trying to establish governments in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Both countries, like France, have never known self government, and therefore prefer an autocrat or dictator to democracy or a representative republic. It just doesn’t work because there are hundreds if not thousands of years of training that makes this unnatural. Which makes me think about the adage that “if you don’t know, history are doomed to repeat it.” In the case of the United States we appear to know very little world history when it comes to involvement around the globe to stop the spread of communism or terrorism. We continue to repeat mistakes from 200 years ago.

United States is very fortunate to of had Thomas Paine immigrate from England and served as a voice calling men to arms into freedom. Some may say the same about his reputation of the Bible and the Quran. Regardless, this is a very important figure in the early history of the United States and a man who ended up largely forgotten. The author has done a good service in writing this book that is free of personal attacks on the man and appears to be a fair and balanced look at his overall life’s works.

Brilliant . . .

. . . man with brilliant ideas. His incredible story comes alive in such a thrilling way that it's hard to believe it all happened, but, of course, it did. Surprise after surprise awaits on each page, because, just when you think Paine's life couldn't be more remarkable, a new unexpected event arises. Incredible storytelling. Superbly written. Outstanding narration which added immensely to the enjoyment of the book, with the narrator capturing perfectly each nuanced shift in each twist and turn of a singular life.

Makes history come alive

Maybe a little over dramatized reading. Paine’s words alone convey his sometimes arrogant writings.
I do like the detail of the author, making the story come alive and the many direction quotes from writings and correspondences.

well written and researched

It covered most of his life. I felt it was lacking nothing. it tied together the American and French revolutions as he was intimately involved in both.

fascinating historical character who took an unusual path to world influence, has a legacy which should be almost as high as Washington but due to his second passion of trying to end organized religion, gets almost no credit in most Americans' minds.

Never stop reading about American history

Every time you read about our founding, the individuals that had a major part in it you become a force to be reckoned with.

Pushing back against the uninformed who seem to have the most influence on our countries direction… is it a reason to keep reading.