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Thomas Paine's Rights of Man

A Biography: Books That Changed the World

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Thomas Paine's Rights of Man

By: Christopher Hitchens
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

 Thomas Paine was one of the greatest political propagandists in history. The Rights of Man, first published in 1791, is the key to his reputation. Inspired by his outrage at Edmund Burke's attack on the uprising of the French people, Paine's text is a passionate defense of the rights of man. Paine argued against monarchy and outlined the elements of a successful republic, including public education, pensions, and relief of the poor and unemployed, all financed by income tax.

Since its publication, The Rights of Man has been celebrated, criticized, maligned, and suppressed. But here, commentator Christopher Hitchens, Paine's natural heir, marvels at its forethought and revels in its contentiousness. Above all, he shows how Thomas Paine's Rights of Man forms the philosophical cornerstone of the world's most powerful republic: the United States of America.

©2007 Christopher Hitchens (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc. Philosophers Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Professionals & Academics Biography Taxation

Critic reviews

"Lucid and fast-moving....As with all Hitchens, well worth reading." ( Kirkus)
"Brilliant portrait....An attractive introduction to Paine's life and work as a whole....Hitchens remains a great writer, and a thinker of depth, range, and vigour." ( Prospect)
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Most relevant
I'm interested in the rights of man (and woman) but I really can't get into history. I guess it is interesting that Thomas Paine was the son of a corset maker and at various times in his life also earnt his crust in this profession. Is it? That is my problem with history. I don't like irrelevant facts. It is a little bit interesting to me that Paine was willing to use the bible for persuasive commonalities in his rhetoric and then published a critique of the bible that pretty much argued against its use as a source of evidence in arguments. Sort of mess we all get into, hahaha! I'm trying to say this book is simply not for me, but I feel that this is because of me, not the book. I'd be dead bored by a book on football too, but it might be a good book.

History rather than philosophy

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Loved it.
Snappy and to the point while educational. Great appraisal of the man and of the age.

Excellent English

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Christopher's writing is as sublime as ever. Witty and insightful. Only Hitchens could make a potentially dry biography such a "page-turner".

A fascinating and erudite biography

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Wow, this man was central to modern politics and I barely knew him. Christopher presents Thomas in a fair light. Showing his strengths and genius and the demanding road he travelled as very human. He was a great debater and policitcal writer. The best brains in the world could not defeat his arguments. Comparing this man to modern politicans , he was prepared to offer his life for his politics. His influence on world politics was perhaps the greatest in history. We owe him great respect. This is a highlights book, which distills Paines history in a Johhnie Walker Black Label blend. It encourages me to read Paines work and other books on this great man.

Thomas was a Paine

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