The Rights of Man
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Paine's book-length essay in political philosophy is primarily a polemic aimed at Edmund Burke's 1790 'Reflections on the French Revolution', which criticised that revolt as savage and illegal. David Rintoul narrates it as a polemic, sounding by turns coldly angry, cuttingly sarcastic, and excitedly partisan, as well as reasonable when Paine expresses his approval for the revolutions in America and France. Paine's elegantly clear writing, though aimed at the common man demands thought and attention; Rontoul's precise, animated, articulate reading helps the listener follow it. Though Paine was wrong about the nature of the French Revolution and the incorruptibility of republics, his ideas about the rights and freedoms of citizens are still germane--and still radical. Rintoul delivers them with intelligent passion. --Audio File 2008
He gives Edmund Burke a rich plummy reading. Paine's voice is incisive and direct. Although some of the text is dry (the section on finances, for example), most is filled with reason, logic and irony. These are eternal words of wisdom from a man of principle. Today's politicians should read them again and again. --soundcommentary.com --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
He gives Edmund Burke a rich plummy reading. Paine's voice is incisive and direct. Although some of the text is dry (the section on finances, for example), most is filled with reason, logic and irony. These are eternal words of wisdom from a man of principle. Today's politicians should read them again and again. --soundcommentary.com --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
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One of the great classics on democracy, Rights of Man was published in England in 1791 as a vindication of the French Revolution and a critique of the British system of government. In direct, forceful prose, Paine defends popular rights, national independence, revolutionary war, and economic growth - all considered dangerous and even seditious issues. In his introduction Eric Foner presents an overview of Paine's career as political theorist and pamphleteer, and supplies essential background material to Rights of Man. He discusses how Paine created a language of modern politics that brought important issues to the common man and the working classes and assesses the debt owed to Paine by the American and British radical traditions.
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Among the incivilities by which nations or individuals provoke and irritate each other, Mr Burke's pamphlet on the French Revolution is an extraordinary instance. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Among the incivilities by which nations or individuals provoke and irritate each other, Mr Burke's pamphlet on the French Revolution is an extraordinary instance. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Rights of Man is a riposte to Edmund Burke's criticism of the French Revolution. Its message is the superiority of reason, in the form of Republican government armed with the Declaration of the Rights of Man, over despotism which holds populations in ignorance. With the American and French revolutions fresh in his mind, Paine was writing in a world on the threshold of freedom and that comes through in his forceful and forthright style. That said, and most important for the reader to appreciate, much of what he has to say still applies today. Paine in scathing in his critique of hereditary monarchy and privilege. He says "the idea of hereditary legislation is.......as absurd as an hereditary mathematician, or an hereditary wise man." He rejects the notion of government laws being justified by tradition and therefore irrevocable. His argument against Burke's defence of the 1688 revolution in England is perhaps the best in the book. Paine argues that the only thing that is truly hereditary is the Rights of Man : "The Rights of men in society, are neither devisable, nor transferrable, nor annihilable, but descendable only." The book is a superb polemic when both understood in its historical context and applied to world politics today. His arguments for reform of the House of Lords strike a particularly pertinent note. He expresses liberal doctrines that many people take for granted but in our own genocidal times Paine reminds us that many of the topics that impassioned him should continue to impassion everyone with an interest in humanity. The style of the writing may put off a few as many themes disappear and reappear throughout the book instead of being dealt with in a coherant whole. The fact that it was written in two parts and that he is one of the greatest pamphleteers of modern times should compensate for this minor irritation.
44 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book over a year ago and it is a joy to read. The introduction by Michael Foot is informative and concise and helps set up the book in the correct historical context. Common Sense is one of the most important and under-rated tracts in history, influencing as it did the American revolution and therefore the French revolution and The Rights of Man is an eloquent argument against authoritarian rule and a call for democracy which was way ahead of its time and still extremely relevent. I urge you to buy it.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I cant recomend this book highly enough, it may be hundreds of years old but its right on the money, even today. Thomas paine was said to be the first whisleblower and it was john pilger who said it, all books by paine and pilger must be read by all. Thomas paine was years ahead of his time, a brilliant common sense mind.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
We all have a lot to learn from Paine today
Who is this book useful for? Just about anyone with any interest in politics, history or philosophy. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Dan
Rights of Man - Part 1
Part 1 of the book could make an interesting read for some one with the background of the French Revolution and has read Burke's Reflection. Read more
Published 3 months ago by E. Jayaraman
Powerful, accessible, political writing
Tom Paine's Rights of Man, written in two parts (1791 & 1792), was a response to Edmund Burke's criticisms of the French Revolution. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Roman Clodia
Thomas Paine The Rights of Man
I am not finished reading this book yet so will come back when I have digested it fully.My synopsis is as follows from what I HAVE read of it.
T. Read more
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Published 7 months ago by B
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