THIS very readable work is in a way a memorial to the late George Spater, a member of the Thomas Paine Society who wrote a very fine two volume biography of William Cobbett which was published in 1982.
BOOK REVIEW: Citizen Of The World, Essays On Thomas Paine Read Post »
THE tale of the recent discovery of the portrait of the celebrated propagandist, Thomas Paine, painted by the “Patriot-Artist,” Colonel Trumbull, for Thomas Jefferson—a picture which dropped out of sight over a century ago—is worth telling in some detail.
Unfortunately this new book, although well written and giving a reasonably comprehensive insight into the background events which the author feels influenced the development of Paine’s thinking, I do not think it gets above the routine.
I have no hesitation in stressing the fact that this is a very important work, perhaps the most important in the field of freethought published for many years, which will become an essential reference tool not just to those associated with organised unbelief but all serious scholars and researchers interested in the field.
I find the material Professor Alves selected offers a balanced group which introduces readers not simply to the debate, but even propel them further. This is an important work not just of value to university students, for which it is intended, but also to historians, educationalists and the general reader.
Reactions to Paine have coloured the understanding and appreciation of him, and he has been recognised as primarily a political or religious figure, but there is an important feature of his work which has long been neglected, his interest in science.
THIS book unquestionably establishes its author, who is a Vice-President of the TPS, as the world’s leading Paine scholar. It is a comprehensive examination of the intellectual content of Paine’s works as a whole.
This well produced book brings together the most important of Spence’s political writings, though consideration of his attempts to promote some of his ideas through the use of political tokens is largely ignored.
BOOK REVIEW: The Political Works Of Thomas Spence Read Post »
Paine’s fame as a writer on social, political and religious themes plus his controversial activities, has tended to obscure his passionate interest in scientific matters. Paine was perhaps the first person to recognise the critical implications of the growing stream of scientific discoveries.
Even among the students of social movements there is a wide measure of ignorance as to the extent and influence of the Freethought movement particularly in the second half of the 19th century.
BOOK REVIEW: Freethought In The United States, A Descriptive Bibliography Read Post »
Perhaps the point made in this book which struck me with most force occurred when the author was discussing the controversy between Burke and Paine. Paine refers to the view of some individuals he does not name who considered Burke “a madman.”
The brutal treatment meted out to the ringleaders of the mutiny makes grim reading, and is testimony to the genuine fear among the self—apointed leaders of England at the threat to their wealth and privilege the mutiny posed. Their attitude is reflected among some of today’s political figures.
