Although it may seem an exaggeration I nevertheless feel that books devoted to the history of secularism are sadly as rare as hens teeth, so it was something of a surprise when I read a mention in an American publication about the forthcoming publication of the work under review.
BOOK REVIEW: Freethinkers, A History Of American Secularism Read Post »
In June, 1797 an impoverished bookseller Thomas Williams was charged with blasphemy for having sold a single copy of Paine’s Age of Reason, the prosecution having been initiated by an organisation with the grand title of the Society for Enforcing the King’s Proclamation against Immorality and Profaneness.
This book was both stimulating and a pleasure to read for the author writes extremely well. Almost Painite in style, I am tempted to say. His essays are fully referenced with his notes being placed below the pages to which they apply rather than at the end of each essay.
BOOK REVIEW: The Transatlantic Republican, Thomas Paine And The Age Of Revolutions Read Post »
Contested Sites deserves a wide readership. It contains much I found new and it has prompted me to wonder what other radical monuments lurk forgotten around the country and also what might be said to constitute one.
Jesus, Paine maintains, was a man not a god and had no intention of starting a new religion. It is worth noting that in Judaism, as the distinguished Jewish scholar, Hyam Maccoby pointed out, for anyone “to claim to be the Messiah was simply to claim the throne of Israel”.
When Paine resided at Lewes he was a member of a bowls club which used to meet at a green in the castle grounds, it was following one such game that having retired for punch and a discussion on politics, Paine conceived the idea for his Rights of Man.
A Sporting Paine, Or Was Thomas Paine A Cricketer? Read Post »
Although Charles Sutton preferred to restrict his political opinions anonymously to the pages of his paper, his few separately published essays being religious in character, John Blackner was never one to conceal his, and his outspokenness was to damn his reputation.
John Blackner And The Suttons, An Episode In Nottingham’s Political History Read Post »
The book is well illustrated and if I have any criticisms, they are of a selfish desire to want to know more about the books and book collecting exploits of Eddie and his wife, which could well, I suspect, make a book in themselves.
This important book takes a close look at Paine’s deism set within the context of his historical period. The author examines deistical concepts both in religious terms and in its political implications and impact. In doing this she follows Paine’s life and work, examines the reaction to his deistical ideas.
BOOK REVIEW: Thomas Paine Contre L’imposture Des Prêtres Read Post »
Working-class republicanism became very influential in the early period of the second half of the 19th century, particularly in the large industrial towns, though only in Ireland can it be said to have evolved into a mass movement, despite the hostility there of the Roman Catholic sect.
BOOK REVIEW: The Republic Must Come, The English Republicans Of The 1870s Read Post »
Holt was a strong opponent of the slave trade and gave extensive and prominent coverage to parliamentary debates about it. Notice was also taken of the activities of radical organisations, among them a commemorative celebration held in London by the Revolution Society.
Daniel Holt The Newark Radical, Publisher And Paineite Martyr Read Post »
If pressed to identify any feature giving the book a degree of importance which removes it from simply being a recreational read, I would point to material in it which social historians will find of great value, although this is expressed in an entertaining manner rather than in terms of what one would expect in a scholarly treatise.
BOOK REVIEW: Beyond The Call Of Duty, Memoirs Of An Excise Man Read Post »
