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Thomas Paine and the promise of America / Harvey J. Kaye.

Promise of America (portion title)
Kaye, Harvey J. (Author).

Summary:

America's unfinished revolution. The revolutionary spirit that runs through American history and whose founding father and greatest advocate was Thomas Paine is fiercely traced in Thomas Paine and the Promise of America. Showing how Paine turned Americans into radicals-and how we have remained radicals at heart ever since-Harvey J. Kaye presents the nation's democratic story with wit, subtlety, and, above all, passion. Paine was one of the most remarkable political writers of the modern world and the greatest radical of a radical age. Through writings like Common Sense-and words such as "The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth," "We have it in our power to begin the world over again," and "These are the times that try men's souls"-he not only turned America's colonial rebellion into a revolutionary war but, as Kaye demonstrates, articulated an American identity charged with exceptional purpose and promise. Beginning with Paine's life and ideas and following their vigorous influence through to our own day, Thomas Paine and the Promise of America reveals how, while the powers that be repeatedly sought to suppress, defame, and most recently co-opt Paine's memory, generations of radical and liberal Americans turned to Paine for inspiration as they endeavored to expand American freedom, equality, and democracy.

Record details

  • ISBN: 080908970X
  • ISBN: 9780809089703
  • Physical Description: 326 pages ; 24 cm
  • Edition: 1st edition
  • Publisher: New York : Hill and Wang, 2005.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-307) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
A freeborn Briton -- An American revolutionary -- A citizen of the world -- The age of Paine -- Freedom must have all or none -- When, in countries that are called civilized -- Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered -- We have it in our power -- It is yet too soon to write the history of the Revolution.
Subject:
Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809 > Influence.
Political culture > United States > History.
United States > Politics and government.

Available copies

  • 4 of 5 copies available at NC Cardinal.
  • 1 of 1 copy available at Madison County Public Library. (Show)

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 5 total copies.
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Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Madison Main Library 320.51 KAY (Text) 30229100908473 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Cumberland Headquarters 320.5109 K (Text) 31781039000847 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Henderson Main Branch 320.51 K (Text) 33258005376699 Adult Nonfiction Checked out 08/17/2026
High Point Library 320.51 Kaye (Text) 30519007120374 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Watauga County Public Library 320.5109 KAYE (Text) 50502200337859 Adult Nonfiction Available -