Paine and Jefferson on Liberty (Milestones of Thought)

by Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine

Book Overview

Drawing from numerous historical sources, the editor summarizes the views of Paine and Jefferson on liberty in America, and on the contrasting political realities in Europe as well. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804463824
• Release Date: August 1988
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.4" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Great Documents of American Libertarian Philosophy

"Paine and Jefferson on Liberty" is a true treasure for the general reader interested in the foundations of our nation and for the collector as well. Edited by Lloyd S. Kramer this small volume brings out the greatness of both Paine and Jefferson, in their own words. From Jefferson we have his "Summary View of the Rights of British America", a document as radical and important as his other great work the Declaration of Independence. Also his "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom" is fully documented, a awesome epistle to the right of free thought. Jefferson's letters to James Madison attacking the right of monarchs and generations to eat up the substance of future generations by large public debt. Jefferson's First Inaugural Address, a monumental statement on free government, is documented completely.Thomas Paine's great works "Common Sense", which spurred the fledgling colonies to independence, and his "American Crisis" articles were invaluable to the war effort. Next his "Rights of Man" , a brilliant and biting indictment of monarchy and aristocracy refuting Edmund Burke's earlier denuciation of the French Revolution. In Rights of Man Paine shows the idiocy and folly of hereditary government, and the oppressions it places on mankind. Paine is also the hearty exponent of republican government. He proposes a plan for a republican government in Great Britian, causing the English government to indict him for treason. Paine here shows himself the true advocate for republicanism and liberty. Overall a fantastic work. Anyone intersted in freedom and liberty should buy this small, beautiful volume.

The Triumph of Two Great Men

This book contains excellent selections from the writings of Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson. Professor Kramer notes that these two men had very similar political views in spite of their very dissimilar backgrounds. The three selections from Paine in this book are from Common Sense, The American Crisis and Rights of Man. A recurring theme with Paine was the absurdity of monarchies and hereditary ones in particular. He points out that a child or an idiot can rule over a nation with the flawed hereditary system of Great Britain. And he writes about the illegitimate nature of the British monarchy in its origins. He believes the ones who started the monarchy were ruffians and robbers. This book has several selections from Jefferson. "A Summary View of the Rights of British America" and "The Declaration of Independence" cover similar themes. Namely, the terrible treatment of the American colonies by the British kings and Parliament is described. In the "Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia", Jefferson well makes the case for religious freedom. To coerce belief or punish opposing views is evil and foolish. This book also includes various of Jefferson's letters to James Madison. A grateful letter to Thomas Paine from Thomas Jefferson is featured here. And Jefferson's eloquent yet humble first Inaugural Address appears. In summary, this book well demonstrates why Jefferson and Paine are given credit for so influencing the thinking of colonial Americans. These two men helped produce the courage to act against tyranny.