What do you think?
Rate this book
Oxford Portraits
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 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 Harvey J. Kaye demonstrates, articulated an American identity charged with exceptional purpose and promise.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
62 people are currently reading
972 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 15, 2011
I'm on something of a Thomas Paine kick, ever since hearing Kaye's wonderful interview with WPR's Kathleen Dunn a few weeks ago. I've also read Paine books by Christopher Hitchens and John Keane. I tried to read one about Paine's 'Common Sense' by Glenn Beck, but it was so stupid I couldn't read beyond the first few pages. Beck's view is disturbingly skewed. I'm quite certain Mr. Paine, an avowed religious skeptic, would be horrified to learn how his revolutionary treatise has been hijacked for a right-wing political pundit's nefarious purposes.
This book by Kaye is wonderful, though. "We have it in our power to begin the world anew," Paine wrote in "Common Sense." This is a good thing to remember as the country heads into an uncertain political future after the dramatic 2010 election.
This book by Kaye is wonderful, though. "We have it in our power to begin the world anew," Paine wrote in "Common Sense." This is a good thing to remember as the country heads into an uncertain political future after the dramatic 2010 election.
October 15, 2023
It is unusual for a High School history teacher in 2023 to dislike the Hamilton musical as much as I do. Students love it. It blows my mind. A few years ago, a student challenged me on my opinions by asking which Founding Father I would make a musical about. My answer was Thomas Paine. They were unimpressed and said he didn't even count as a Founding Father. Devastating.
This book has sat on my shelf for a few years, but it felt like the right time to read and I ended up enjoying it quite a it. It was a slow read for me. Sometimes five pages felt like a slog. I think that this is attributable to Kay's structure of the book. Only the first 3-4 chapters deal directly with the life and times of Thomas Paine. The rest of the book is given over to a chronological history of Americans attitudes towards Paine and the historiography of Paine's relationship to the American Revolution. These chapters fall into a pattern of capsule biographies of figures from different eras of American history who had a close relationship to Paine's work in some way. It also allows the author to write very condensed and surprisingly effective summaries of whole chunks of American history.
I thought this was a novel approach and moved the book much farther away from being a biography than I thought it was. It did provide a choppy reading experience. The narrative jumping forward after only introducing a new cast of historical figures. The criteria for who gets written about in connection to Paine is also really variable. I don't think any of these detract from the overall argument of the book, but did lead me to putting this book down and not picking it back up for week at at time.
This book has sat on my shelf for a few years, but it felt like the right time to read and I ended up enjoying it quite a it. It was a slow read for me. Sometimes five pages felt like a slog. I think that this is attributable to Kay's structure of the book. Only the first 3-4 chapters deal directly with the life and times of Thomas Paine. The rest of the book is given over to a chronological history of Americans attitudes towards Paine and the historiography of Paine's relationship to the American Revolution. These chapters fall into a pattern of capsule biographies of figures from different eras of American history who had a close relationship to Paine's work in some way. It also allows the author to write very condensed and surprisingly effective summaries of whole chunks of American history.
I thought this was a novel approach and moved the book much farther away from being a biography than I thought it was. It did provide a choppy reading experience. The narrative jumping forward after only introducing a new cast of historical figures. The criteria for who gets written about in connection to Paine is also really variable. I don't think any of these detract from the overall argument of the book, but did lead me to putting this book down and not picking it back up for week at at time.
July 22, 2010
First off, Kaye and I have completely opposite political views. This is one reason I loved this book. Kaye reveals the history and reasoning behind his liberal political views. Half the book is on Paine, the other on the ripple Paine's thoughts left in history. Interesting and thought provoking.
August 29, 2019
I could not put it down, was like a mini history of America and how the words of Paine influenced the thinking of the people over the years. More importantly , how the politicians used the words and do so right up to this time. Want to reread soon.
April 22, 2020
What you would expect from a typical college professor. Undoubtedly profound to the pseudo-intellectuals.
July 23, 2017
What a slog. The first and last chapters were the only ones I enjoyed. The rest was just a broad-strokes re-cap of American history, listing various historical figured who liked/were inspired by Paine's works contrasted against those who didn't. Very repetitive.
March 31, 2008
America's revolutionary and progressive traditions are alive and well! Inspiring and informative.
October 17, 2009
This is well written, riveting, essential history for all citizens of the USA.
February 10, 2019
When Ronald Reagan gave his farewell address in early 1989, he made reference to John Winthrop and his biblical phrase "a city upon a hill." However, he eschewed the context Winthrop used the phrase in—as a model Christian city in which all citizens had their proper places in society firmly dictated to them—and turned Winthrop into a "Freedom Man," a lost pilgrim whose success was determined solely by his hard work and initiative.
Harvey J. Kaye begins his book on Thomas Paine at a similar place—when Ronald Reagan echoed Paine's language, saying, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again." Kaye uses this anecdote not only to point out that once an idea, symbol, or phrase is out there in the cultural sphere, anyone can use it in any way even if it becomes antithetical to its original meaning, but also to argue that it is the true progressives who most closely follow in Paine's footsteps and should be the ones utilizing his language.
Beginning with his upbringing, Kaye gives several reasons why Paine was to become the revolutionary democrat that he became. His father was an artisan of modest means and the young Thomas had many early experiences witnessing the lives of the working poor, giving him more empathy for the destitute and downtrodden than many of the aristocratic Founding Fathers had. His father was also a Quaker and infused some of their religious ideals into his son, such as the rejection of religious authority, the refusal to pay tithes, and a more welcoming attitude toward women.
Paine was unsuccessful in a number of occupations before he came to America in the fall of 1774 and found his calling as an inspiring voice to rally the troops and stoke the call for independence. His first major work, Common Sense—still proportionally the best selling American document of all time—helped turn a country that still largely wanted to reunite with Britain into a country thirsty to be independent.
Kaye mostly succeeds in his attempts to set the record straight on Paine. (I found his attempts to show Paine's influence on Lincoln to be a bit forced.) He shows through a thorough, and, at times, tedious, reviewing of many individuals and organizations the long shadow that Paine has cast over the country. Prominent figures, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and Eugene Debs as well as various labor unions, women's rights activists, and the Winter Soldiers in the Vietnam Veterans against the War among many others have all culled forth the words of Paine either directly or indirectly. In some circles, particularly more establishment-oriented ones and beginning with the Federalist John Adams, he never had much standing, but in others, he has persistently inspired.
Kaye also wrests Paine's intentions away from conservatives and libertarians. At times, his words could sound like he was against government in all forms. But since he believed that "God had provided the land as a collective endowment for humanity," he advocated for a tax on landed wealth and property to give back to the people who had been dispossessed of land. He was opposed to government when it became tyrannical; he was for it when it could provide succor and equality.
Harvey J. Kaye begins his book on Thomas Paine at a similar place—when Ronald Reagan echoed Paine's language, saying, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again." Kaye uses this anecdote not only to point out that once an idea, symbol, or phrase is out there in the cultural sphere, anyone can use it in any way even if it becomes antithetical to its original meaning, but also to argue that it is the true progressives who most closely follow in Paine's footsteps and should be the ones utilizing his language.
Beginning with his upbringing, Kaye gives several reasons why Paine was to become the revolutionary democrat that he became. His father was an artisan of modest means and the young Thomas had many early experiences witnessing the lives of the working poor, giving him more empathy for the destitute and downtrodden than many of the aristocratic Founding Fathers had. His father was also a Quaker and infused some of their religious ideals into his son, such as the rejection of religious authority, the refusal to pay tithes, and a more welcoming attitude toward women.
Paine was unsuccessful in a number of occupations before he came to America in the fall of 1774 and found his calling as an inspiring voice to rally the troops and stoke the call for independence. His first major work, Common Sense—still proportionally the best selling American document of all time—helped turn a country that still largely wanted to reunite with Britain into a country thirsty to be independent.
Kaye mostly succeeds in his attempts to set the record straight on Paine. (I found his attempts to show Paine's influence on Lincoln to be a bit forced.) He shows through a thorough, and, at times, tedious, reviewing of many individuals and organizations the long shadow that Paine has cast over the country. Prominent figures, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and Eugene Debs as well as various labor unions, women's rights activists, and the Winter Soldiers in the Vietnam Veterans against the War among many others have all culled forth the words of Paine either directly or indirectly. In some circles, particularly more establishment-oriented ones and beginning with the Federalist John Adams, he never had much standing, but in others, he has persistently inspired.
Kaye also wrests Paine's intentions away from conservatives and libertarians. At times, his words could sound like he was against government in all forms. But since he believed that "God had provided the land as a collective endowment for humanity," he advocated for a tax on landed wealth and property to give back to the people who had been dispossessed of land. He was opposed to government when it became tyrannical; he was for it when it could provide succor and equality.
October 18, 2017
Thomas Paine and the Promise of America by Harvey J. Kaye is a biography about the famous English-American political activist during the American revolution. Mr. Kaye is an American historian currently working as the the Director of the Center for History and Social Change at the University of Wisconsin.
This is a biography, and assessment of the life of Mr. Paine, all in the context of the American Revolutionary War. The book also touches on how Mr. Paine’s political philosophy changed our way of thinking, our country and even influences American politics to this day.
Thomas Paine’s most famous work, Common Sense, a pamphlet written in 1775-1776 which advocates independence from Great Britain influenced many important people and an argument can be made that without it the revolution might not have happened. Paine’s vision of democracy inspired many and frightened some, since his background as a working class individual spoke more to the masses than the aristocratic background of many of America’s founding fathers.
Thomas Paine’s work influenced many radicals during, and after, his lifetime. These radicals called for such extreme change such as ending slavery, women’s equality, fair wages and so on. The book devotes almost half of it to the public perception and appreciation of Mr. Paine, sometimes decades and centuries after his death. As we all know at this point, Paine’s “radical” views gained acceptance over the years and now became standard.
This is a well written, facilitating book about an influential political activist and philosopher. I found it fascinating that, despite being a best-selling author, Mr. Paine refused to profit from his political writings and donated his profits them to purchase mittens for General Richard Montgomery‘s troops.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
This is a biography, and assessment of the life of Mr. Paine, all in the context of the American Revolutionary War. The book also touches on how Mr. Paine’s political philosophy changed our way of thinking, our country and even influences American politics to this day.
Thomas Paine’s most famous work, Common Sense, a pamphlet written in 1775-1776 which advocates independence from Great Britain influenced many important people and an argument can be made that without it the revolution might not have happened. Paine’s vision of democracy inspired many and frightened some, since his background as a working class individual spoke more to the masses than the aristocratic background of many of America’s founding fathers.
Thomas Paine’s work influenced many radicals during, and after, his lifetime. These radicals called for such extreme change such as ending slavery, women’s equality, fair wages and so on. The book devotes almost half of it to the public perception and appreciation of Mr. Paine, sometimes decades and centuries after his death. As we all know at this point, Paine’s “radical” views gained acceptance over the years and now became standard.
This is a well written, facilitating book about an influential political activist and philosopher. I found it fascinating that, despite being a best-selling author, Mr. Paine refused to profit from his political writings and donated his profits them to purchase mittens for General Richard Montgomery‘s troops.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
December 8, 2019
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Paine wrote those words over 200 years ago, never knowing how prescient they would be. The author certainly did, as Kaye’s book shows us just how important Paine’s writings were, how important the man was. Kaye shows how, unlike the Founders who owned slaves (Washington, Jefferson,) or those who distrusted democracy (Adams, Hamilton,) Paine always believed in the Revolution and, with his writings convinced many Americans of its rightness, too.
The first half of the book deals with those writings, and how Paine came to be an American. An Englishman by birth, he would fall in love with this new country. Seeing both its good and bad sides, he would be one of the first to call for the abolition of slavery. Lexington and Concord would make Paine a radical. As Kay writes, “America had transformed Paine. He would now transform America.” He would do so with Common Sense.
His writings would continue to influence Americans’ thinking, both during the War and after. Problems would arrive with the publication of his Age of Reason, because Paine always told the truth as he saw it. But though many were against him, the people, and his friend, Thomas Jefferson, knew that the Republican movement depended on Paine’s writings.
The second half of the book deals with how Americans have seen and dealt with Paine’s legacy. His words would reverberate down the years with labor unions, agrarian organizations, progressives, and suffragettes. They would carry America through a depression and two world wars. Yet, as the writer shows, Americans seem to have a short memory, returning to nativism, religiosity, and cruel conservatism time and time again. Hopefully, Paine’s words will once again lead us onto the true path.
The first half of the book deals with those writings, and how Paine came to be an American. An Englishman by birth, he would fall in love with this new country. Seeing both its good and bad sides, he would be one of the first to call for the abolition of slavery. Lexington and Concord would make Paine a radical. As Kay writes, “America had transformed Paine. He would now transform America.” He would do so with Common Sense.
His writings would continue to influence Americans’ thinking, both during the War and after. Problems would arrive with the publication of his Age of Reason, because Paine always told the truth as he saw it. But though many were against him, the people, and his friend, Thomas Jefferson, knew that the Republican movement depended on Paine’s writings.
The second half of the book deals with how Americans have seen and dealt with Paine’s legacy. His words would reverberate down the years with labor unions, agrarian organizations, progressives, and suffragettes. They would carry America through a depression and two world wars. Yet, as the writer shows, Americans seem to have a short memory, returning to nativism, religiosity, and cruel conservatism time and time again. Hopefully, Paine’s words will once again lead us onto the true path.
July 31, 2023
Thought this would be another Thomas Paine biography but was pleasantly surprised by the veer to the left! To this day, most Americans' knowledge of TP is that his "Common Sense" helped push more people to support independence. What is lesser known is the radical vision TP laid out in CS and his other works. What is virtually obscured is that his ideas influenced American progress more so than nearly any founding father.
We look to someone like George Washington as a symbol of the Revolution, but really, all progress that has taken place in the USA since has not been because of, but rather in spite of, Washington. And even though Kaye cites Jefferson as another major inspiration for leftists, his troubling views on race (if not him owning slaves period) put him a rung below TP. But at least before his Presidency, TJ subscribed to the concept of a "universalism" versus "nationalism" in regards to the Rev War. Washington, Hamilton, etc. (and today's conservatives) were not concerned with igniting a universal revolution against tyranny (sorry France, you're on your own). For Paine, it wasn't just white American land speculators and financiers that deserved liberty, but every class, in every nation, and that included enslaved Africans and America's native inhabitants.
Though the conservative stance sometimes wins out in the long run, Paine's vision for an ongoing political and social revolution is what has inspired progress in America and elsewhere.
We look to someone like George Washington as a symbol of the Revolution, but really, all progress that has taken place in the USA since has not been because of, but rather in spite of, Washington. And even though Kaye cites Jefferson as another major inspiration for leftists, his troubling views on race (if not him owning slaves period) put him a rung below TP. But at least before his Presidency, TJ subscribed to the concept of a "universalism" versus "nationalism" in regards to the Rev War. Washington, Hamilton, etc. (and today's conservatives) were not concerned with igniting a universal revolution against tyranny (sorry France, you're on your own). For Paine, it wasn't just white American land speculators and financiers that deserved liberty, but every class, in every nation, and that included enslaved Africans and America's native inhabitants.
Though the conservative stance sometimes wins out in the long run, Paine's vision for an ongoing political and social revolution is what has inspired progress in America and elsewhere.
August 9, 2025
I found Thomas Paine and the Promise of America an interesting exploration of how various groups throughout history have taken Paine’s writings and adapted them to advance their own agendas. The author often leans toward framing Paine’s work as an inspiration for the Democratic Party and movements such as activist organizations and unions, while portraying conservatives and Republicans more critically—casting their interpretations of Paine as leaning toward capitalism and the expansion of corporate America.
Some activist groups are shown using Paine as a symbolic rallying point, even for causes involving violence as a means to convey their message. While these perspectives are fascinating, I found myself wishing the book included more of Paine’s own writings. Instead, the bulk of the content focuses on the aftermath of his death and the decades—sometimes centuries—of political and ideological movements that invoked his name.
Despite that shortcoming, I did learn a great deal, and I appreciated the historical connections Kaye drew. It was an engaging read overall, and for that reason I gave it four stars. Still, I would have valued more direct extracts of Paine’s work to better understand how each group justified its actions and interpretations.
Some activist groups are shown using Paine as a symbolic rallying point, even for causes involving violence as a means to convey their message. While these perspectives are fascinating, I found myself wishing the book included more of Paine’s own writings. Instead, the bulk of the content focuses on the aftermath of his death and the decades—sometimes centuries—of political and ideological movements that invoked his name.
Despite that shortcoming, I did learn a great deal, and I appreciated the historical connections Kaye drew. It was an engaging read overall, and for that reason I gave it four stars. Still, I would have valued more direct extracts of Paine’s work to better understand how each group justified its actions and interpretations.
April 11, 2023
An informative and easy read. The first half the book is about Paine himself. The second half is a history of democratic (small "d") movements in the U.S. and their connection to the legacy of Paine.
Hopefully this book will motivate readers to read Paine's works, especially Rights of Man and The Age of Reason , as well as, Paine's pamphlets that were written during the American Revolution ( Common Sense and The American Crisis ).
Kaye's principal message is that the Paine articulated the promise of a democratic American but that it has not yet been fulfilled.
Hopefully this book will motivate readers to read Paine's works, especially Rights of Man and The Age of Reason , as well as, Paine's pamphlets that were written during the American Revolution ( Common Sense and The American Crisis ).
Kaye's principal message is that the Paine articulated the promise of a democratic American but that it has not yet been fulfilled.
December 14, 2020
I love reading about history and especially this period in America's history. Kaye's bio of Paine felt like a primer and left me interested in reading more - a deeper look into a fascinating historical figure and a writer for his times. That the second half of the book is how Paine's writings have been used through history began as an interesting take on his biography but it became weighted down with a multitude of names and seemed to wander through the weeds. I kept wishing it were more focused.
August 29, 2019
An interesting take on the bio of Thomas Paine and his ongoing influence of American thought and history. The writer ties Paine to many of the presidents, movements, candidates and events. Stating Paine's influence on the Anarchists of the late 1800's, the Socialist movement led by Eugene Debs, the Freedom Marchers of the 1960's and finishing up with both Presidents Reagan and Clinton, the writer states that Paine influenced them all.
Right, wrong or misguided, the book was fascinating.
Right, wrong or misguided, the book was fascinating.
March 7, 2021
This is not a biography or a mere summation of Paine's writing: it is something better. It is a look at how Americans have, through the years and generations and political tides, embraced or derided Paine's bold feeling about the CONTINUED promise of America. This book attempts to remind Americans that the revolution never ended, that we can make the world over again, even when times and circumstances seem bleak.
March 25, 2022
Seemed to be very well written and I enjoyed the first half where I learned quite a bit about Mr Paine and the state of the country in those early days. Unfortunately about half way through it diverged off to discuss many other folks and how they reacted to Paine. It got pretty repetitive and I lost interest as the main thread seemed to lose focus. I found myself not wanting to pick it up again so abandoned it half way through.
June 4, 2022
Abolitionist, pirate, revolutionary, opponent to all modes of tyranny, and champion of democracy. We study the wrong founder.
This isn't so much a biography (that's covered in chapter 1) as a history of the United States through the lens of how Paine has been viewed among the classes. In particular, it focuses on why he was forgotten for more than a century (spoilers: he angered those in power.) I'd give it three and a half stars, if goodreads wasn't a shitty website.
This isn't so much a biography (that's covered in chapter 1) as a history of the United States through the lens of how Paine has been viewed among the classes. In particular, it focuses on why he was forgotten for more than a century (spoilers: he angered those in power.) I'd give it three and a half stars, if goodreads wasn't a shitty website.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
The first and last chapters of this book are especially noteworthy as the author provides excellent overviews of the American Revolution period and recent times -- both of which relied on Paine's writings. Paine's democratic initiatives are clearly identified with detailed comments and documentation. Paine's political, literary, and religious influences are discussed thoroughly as they influence both American and European democratic initiaities.
June 15, 2018
Good book, but I wish more than just the first half would’ve been dedicated to biographical text about Paine. Although the ripples Paine sent throughout American history are interesting, some more detail about the man himself would’ve been appreciated. It got me interested in revolutionary history with many “side trips” online about different events, and I plan to read Common Sense next.
April 27, 2019
I enjoy well written biographies and have developed a great admiration for Paine through biographies of Washington, Franklin, and Adams. This unfortunately was not a well written biography but rather possessed the style of mere news articles strung together, as in the writing was as captivating as such articles. There was no feeling but rather just straight forward facts.
September 20, 2020
This is both a biography of Paine and a review of his influence since the Revolutionary War. I thought it was quite interesting and it has motivated me to read Common Sense and the Age of Reason, as well as Other of his writings. The book concludes with suggestions on how progressives should rely on Paine and his ideas in appealing to our fellow Americans in the future. Very good book.
April 7, 2022
Even though the first 4 chapters had am obvious motive to paint Paine in the image of Kaye, it was still enjoyable and informative. After that... the book degenerated into a pitifully organized mishmash of biographies on people who may have been, even if ever so slightly, influenced by Paine. Very dissappointing.
December 21, 2023
A book in two parts, starting with Paine’s life and writings and finishing with Paine’s influence from his death until present. The first part is very readable, the second part less so because of its comprehensiveness. But Kaye places Paine’s influence in a thorough US history, with delightful tidbits interspersed and I learned a lot.
August 17, 2019
Not what I expected. This is not a biography of Thomas Paine, in fact he dies before the half. It is more about how his ideas and quotes were used to motivate movements throughout U.S. Some of it was pretty good, I guess, seemed a little self-justifying for the most part.
February 18, 2022
I picked this up to fill a hole in my knowledge about Mr. Paine and his writings. I only read the first half that covers his life and major works. The second half gets into later implications which was not my interest. It filled my need, so in that respect a good read.
December 14, 2025
I enjoyed learning more about Paine as he was a proud American who stood against the British. What I didn't like was the final 100 or so pages all about how after his death his quotes remain with us. I think I was looking for more about the man and less of his work.
November 7, 2022
Good read
It's a good read but don't know about Dr accuracy, particularly about economic facts. Does show how much in Paine has influenced history.
It's a good read but don't know about Dr accuracy, particularly about economic facts. Does show how much in Paine has influenced history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews