Thomas Paine: Apostle of Freedom

by Jack Fruchtman Jr.

The leading Thomas Paine expert in the U.S. presents both a biography of the controversial Founding Father and an analysis of his works. Known as "the Voice of the Revolution, " Paine was a truly original thinker, a man whose magnificient, freedom-loving spirit is richly captured in this major biography.

Genres: History, Biography, American History, American Revolution, Politics

560 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 1994

Reviews

[Brady Postma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Paine seems like an interesting man. An English-born, self-identifying American who was a famous (and moderating) voice in the French Revolution, he was born poor and never really achieved financial success from his crucially influential writing including "Common Sense," the pamphlet that convinced Americans to support independence. This biography of him as icon of the political left (radical liberalism) during the very era that coined the terminology "left-wing" and "right-wing" is highly readable and packed with interesting, humanizing tidbits from history.

Personally, I'm more of an Edmund Burke man, but this gypsy radical's history is definitely worth knowing.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 relevant today as it was 225 years ago.

[Lee Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read 205 out of 445 pages. This is pretty mediocre. It was hard to get a sense of Paine himself with the author horning in all the time to defend him. JF quotes Paine freely but never blends the quotations with the biographical material to make a cohesive narrative. Jack Fruchtman for the defense! JF writes with more enthusiasm than skill. He makes a lot of unsupported assertions trying to magnify Paine's importance. He claims Common Sense made it impossible not to support independence, then goes on to state that only 33% of colonists favored the cause. Sounds possible to me. I read only 2 pages into the section introducing Burke before bailing. JF has a very shallow understanding of 18th century or modern conservatism. On the whole, this wasn't good and I hope I didn't pay full price for it.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb bio on Thomas Paine. We all have heard of "Common Sense" and "these are the times that try men's soul....", but there was a great deal more to him that the school books do not cover. He gave most of his profits to the American cause, then went over to France and was involved with the revolutions there, including two close calls for getting beheaded. Incredible story.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Paine was such a complicated figure that I don't think anybody could truly do him justice. However, I believe that this book helped me a great deal to understanding the man and the legend.

[Caleb Kneip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enlightening book about one of our amazing forefathers.