Since its publication in 1976; Tom Paine and Revolutionary America has been recognized as a classic study of the career of the foremost political pamphleteer of the Age of Revolution; and a model of how to integrate the political; intellectual; and social history of the struggle for American independence. Foner skillfully brings together an account of Paine's remarkable career with a careful examination of the social worlds within which he operated; in Great Britain; France; and especially the United States. He explores Paine's political and social ideas and the way he popularized them by pioneering a new form of political writing; using simple; direct language and addressing himself to a reading public far broader than previous writers had commanded. He shows which of Paine's views remained essentially fixed throughout his career; while directing attention to the ways his stance on social questions evolved under the pressure of events. This enduring work makes clear the tremendous impact Paine's writing exerted on the American Revolution; and suggests why he failed to have a similar impact during his career in revolutionary France. It also offers new insights into the nature and internal tensions of the republican outlook that helped to shape the Revolution. In a new preface; Foner discusses the origins of this book and the influences of the 1960s and 1970s on its writing. He also looks at how Paine has been adopted by scholars and politicians of many stripes; and has even been called the patron saint of the Internet.
#761197 in Books Gregory A Wills 2003-03-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.90 x .80 x 9.20l; .71 #File Name: 0195160991208 pagesDemocratic Religion Freedom Authority and Church Discipline in the Baptist South 1785 1900
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Get it for what it is: Great information; a bit tedious as a readBy Tyler HollowayDr. Greg Wills has produced an important work documenting how Baptist churches in the South functioned between 1785-1900. If you are interested in the topic; especially how gender and race affected church governance or how church discipline was carried out; then grab a copy of this book.My one warning is that you shouldn't expect this to be a page-turner. Wills has tediously documented this data by pouring through the minutes of church business meetings from the time period; and the work reflects that. It is a lot of numbers and dates and at times seems repetitive; but Dr. Wills is documenting the evidence that he found through what I can only imagine was a ton of man hours. Expect this going in and enjoy the book for what it is and you will find it very helpful0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wills' analysis of Southern Baptist democratic religion was extremely helpful in giving me a better context for denominational pBy Jordan WilliamsHelpful and illuminating history of the Southern Baptist denomination's astute conviction for church discipline. Dr. Wills' analysis of Southern Baptist democratic religion was extremely helpful in giving me a better context for denominational polity and the moral/theological erosion of SB denomination with the increase of urbanization and bombardments of a pervasively progressive culture.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Helpful; but gets a little bogged down in the ...By TCHelpful; but gets a little bogged down in the details and drags a bit. In particular; the chapters on African-American churches and women in democratic; Baptist churches were insightful.
