Thomas Paine And the Promise of America

Thomas Paine was one of the most remarkable political writers of the modern world and the greatest radical of a radical age. Through writings likeCommon Senseand 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 Harvey J. Kaye demonstrates, articulated an American identity charged with exceptional purpose and promise. Harvey J. Kayeis the Ben and Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Social Change and Development at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. An award-winning author and editor, his numerous books includeAre We Good Citizens?andThe American Radical. The revolutionary spirit that runs throughout American history, and whose founding father and greatest advocate was Thomas Paine, is fiercely traced inThomas Paine and the Promise of America. Showing how Paine turned Americans into radicalsand how we have remained radicals at heart ever sinceHarvey J. Kaye presents the nation's democratic story with it, 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 lifeCommon Senseand phrases 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 also, 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 Americareveals 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. "Harvey J. Kaye'sThomas Paine and the Promise of Americais the newest entry in the founders' sweepstakes, making a spirited argument that Paine merits a place on the Mall or Tidal Basin as the only authentically radical voice, the only unblinkered democrat, the only patriotic prophet whose vision remains relevant and resonant for our time . . . Writing with passion of a defense attorney whose client has been wrongfully sentenced to obscurity . . . Kaye contends that Paine, alone among the founding generation, saw to the very heart of the American promise embodied in the principles of 1776 . . . Kaye provides the most comprehensive assessment yet of Paine's controversial reputation . . . Kaye hears his voice more clearly and unambiguously than I do, a clarity of conviction that I envy."Joseph Ellis,The New York Times Books Review "Harvey J. Kaye'sThomas Paine and the Promise of Americais the newest entry in the founders' sweepstakes, making a spirited argument that Paine merits a place on the Mall or Tidal Basin as the only authentically radical voice, the only unblinkered democrat, the only patriotic prophet whose vision remains relevant and resonant for our time . . . Writing with passion of a defense attorney whose client has been wrongfully sentenced to obscurity . . . Kaye contends that Paine, alone among the founding generation, saw to the very heart of the American promise embodied in the principles of 1776 . . . Kaye provides the most comprehensive assessment yet of Paine's controversial reputation . . . Kaye hears his voice more clearly an

Harvey J. Kaye is the Ben and Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Social Change and Development at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. An award-winning author and editor, his numerous books include Are We Good Citizens? and The American Radical.