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Thomas Paine: Apostle of Freedom

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Thomas Paine is one of the great unsung heroes of early American history. He didn't come from an affluent family, he never held high public office, and he never had any money. There are no monuments in Washington D.C. or Philadelphia dedicated to Mr. Paine, he's not on any currency and he's affectively been eclipsed by many other revolutionary heroes- that are quite frankly his inferiors. Thomas Paine has been shortchanged in history because he was a drunk, an atheist and an all around unpleasant person (well...if he didn't like you, anyway).

Despite his shortcomings, and the numerous attacks that have come from his critics, Tom Paine was the conscience of the American revolution. He wrote several pamphlets and articles that called the American populous to action and galvanized revolutionary thought, not only during America's fight for independence, but also for the French who were about to engage in their own revolution.

Jack Fruchman has done a fine job of giving us Mr. Paine with all his imperfections and accomplishments. I recommend that every serious student of American history read this biography of one of our great patriots, thinkers and writers. I just admonish you not to forget to read the words of Thomas Paine himself. His thinking is as important and relevent today as it was 225 years ago.

The American Revolution's roots in the British which many people thought was 'betrayed' by parliament when it restored the monarchy, the roots of common British and American democratic ideals emerging from the dissenting religions and their notions of justice and equality (it's said that British socialism has more Methodism than Marx in it), the frustrations and ideals of British republicans who invested so much of their hope in the American colonies (not then 'United') shows that even in the l8th century (and presumably before and since) there is a community of men and women who, irrespective of nationality, place justice and liberty above all other human aspirations. What we learn from this book was that Tom Paine wasn't just a great British radical, a great founding father of the American Revolution, an active member of the revolutionary French Tribunal -- he was a critic of all unearned or abused authority wherever he saw it -- from George III to George Washington -- and that he foresaw a world in which every soul enjoyed the same rights and liberties. It was his internationalism, his understanding of the drawbacks as well as the virtues of populist democracy, that made him so relevant to modern readers. You can be sure that Tom Paine would have been at the Seattle demonstrations and would have no doubt been considerably more eloquent in his criticisms of international big business than anyone alive today! He speaks to us as clearly and as authoritatively as he spoke to his first readers -- who made his work best-sellers in America, Britain and France -- and this is the first book I have read which does its great subject the justice he deserves. He shouldn't just have a statue in Washington -- he should have one in London and Paris. It is his ideas of common liberty and justice which unite people around the world, perhaps even more now than in his own day. Read this book and you will understand how valuable democracy is and how hard it was to win, how hard it remains to keep it vital and uncorrupted. Everyone interested in modern politics should read this book.

In the hierarchy of founding fathers, Thomas Paine is not in the top echelon, but he is significant. His principal contribution was Common Sense, a pamphlet that spurred the independence movement in the early days of the Revolution.

One of the themes that seemed to run through Paine's life was a commitment to ideology that often had negative effects. While he was a man who backed his words with actions, he did it at a cost: he had few lifelong relationships, he was often broke and he even spent a year in jail, with the threat of execution constantly hanging over him. In the conflict between idealism and practicality, Paine favored the former.

Fruchtman's biography does a good job in describing this important historical figure. At times slow (I feel because there are points in Paine's life that aren't very interesting), it is overall a good, educational read. It makes me feel that if Paine had exercised a little bit more common sense in his own life, he might have been even a greater man.

After watching a PBS documentary on the Revolution, I was fascinated by Paine's involvement and wanted to know more. I searched for a book that would give me some insight into not only Paine's life but also his writing. The book was enthralling and understandable, even for a novice.

Thomas Paine is America's most unappreciated Founding Father. Although his contributions were perhaps as great as those of Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington, we have not even gone to the trouble of erecting a statue of him in Washington D.C. Fruchtman's biography gives a wonderful portrait of this complicated man. Most studies of Paine tend to be overly apologetic or overly critical; Fruchtman succeeds in giving him balanced treatment. He is frank about Paine's successes and Paine's failures. This biography should be considered the definitive work on Thomas Paine. Anyone who loves freedom should study the life of this remarkable American. Fruchtman's biography is a good place to start.

When asked to name the Founding Fathers of America, most people will name Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin. Those who have read a book or two on the early America may also say Adams, Hamilton, and Madison.

I bet that very few people would name Thomas Paine. That is unfortunate and would be fixed quickly if this book were more widely read.

"Thomas Paine: Apostle of Freedom" devotes little time to Paine's early years, focusing mainly on his life after arriving in America a few years before Independence.

Before reading this fine biography, I had not given Thomas Paine much thought beyond being the author of "Common Sense". I now realize the many roles he played in both the American and French revolutions and in furthering the cause of freedom and liberty in an age of monarchy.

Also check out:

- "Tom Paine and Revolutionary America" by Eric Foner
- "46 Pages: Tom Paine, Common Sense, and the Turning Point to Independence" by Scott Liell
- "Tom Paine: A Political Life" by John Keane

Highly Recommended!

One of the most enjoyable biographies I've ever read. This book is meticulously researched and well written. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the ideas and the spirit of one of the most important figures of the American Revolution.

I purchased this book with the hopes of understanding all of Thomas Paine; philisophically and emotionally. Yet, the biography begins with Paine in his late 30's, with scant information about his youth and upbringing. We learn nothing of his parents or upbringing, other than scattered references here and there. Further, it appears to me that the author has a grudge against Paine for some odd reason. He tears him down frequently, giving me the impression that Paine was a drunkard and a vagabond (though that is certainly not the case.) To be precise, the entire book paints him as a man desperate for money, grubbing from the bank account of the young United States of America. I can't say I recommend this one. Throughout my life, I've heard stories of a great man, who does not receive the appreciation he so deserves. I purchased this book wanting to know why this was, and learn more about the brilliant man that shaped this country. Go somewhere else to study up on Thomas Paine. Moreover, the book itself (being paperback) was overpriced. The author is far too concerned about Paine's money woes to really breakdown the man behind Common Sense. I love biographies, so take my word for it, that this is not the finest one out there.

Thomas Paine is surely one of the most underrated of the Founding Fathers. Jack Fruchtman explains the man's accomplishments as well as his independent spirit in great detail. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the creation of the United States, and one of the key figures who provided many of the intellectual sparks necessary to make it happen. Paine was also one of the first intellectuals to openly challenge the truth of the Bible, and to call out organized religion generally as a fraud designed to enslave the masses. For his courage in standing up for the common man against the powerful forces of the established churches, Paine was vilified by many, but his ideas and inspiration live on. Paul Gehrman, Author, Kaleidoscope

Jack Fruchtman has done a fine job of giving us a total picture of Paine, warts and all. This is an intelligent, balanced and humane treatment of the life of a complex man who tends to be either demonized or deified by those who write about him. Highly recommended.