A comprehensive study of the social and political thought of Thomas Paine, one of the most important political writers of the modern era and author of "The Rights of Man". This study concentrates on that political tract, and places it in the context of his earlier writings and evolving thoughts.

Second, Gregory Claeys considers at length the British reception of the Rights of Man, the immense controversy the text engendered, and the successful efforts to stifle the growth of the radical parliamentary reform movement that it inspired. Third, the characterization and discussion of Paine's ideas is considerably more sophisticated than any existing analysis, and presents in effect a completely new view of Paine that will serve as the standard interpretation.

Acknowledgements
Chronology Introduction The age of Paine 'Apostle of liberty': the life of Thomas Paine 'The cause of
all mankind': Paine and the American revolution Republicanism contested: Burke's Reflections (1790) and the Rights of Man (1791-2) Paine's achievement A great awakening: the birth
of the Revolutionary Party Inequality vindicated: the government party Revolution in heaven: the Age of reason (1794-5)
Revolution in civilization: Agrarian Justice (1797) Conclusion Political saint: the legend of Thomas Paine Bibliography
Index