Title: The Age of Reason
Author: Thomas Paine
First published January 27, 1794
180 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781595479105 (ISBN10: 1595479104)
Rating: 4.12
Overview
The world as they knew it was gone, and it was all because of Field Marshal Tamas. In his bloody coup, he executed corrupt aristocrats, fed the starving, and overthrew the Age of Kings.
But with his enemies multiplying and allies turning on him, Tamas must rely on his few remaining powder mages to keep his rule. Among them are his estranged son, a brilliant marksman, and a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested.
But when the gods themselves begin to interfere, the world is thrown into chaos. Peasants whisper of omens of death and destruction, and even the most educated men cannot deny the truth.
In a world where magic and technology collide, the power of the powder mages may not be enough to save them all.
About the Author
Thomas Paine, an English-American political activist, author, political theorist, and revolutionary, inspired the Patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Britain through his influential pamphlets. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era rhetoric of transnational human rights.
Paine’s contributions include the widely read and powerful pamphlet Common Sense, advocating for colonial America’s independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and The American Crisis, a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series.
Paine emigrated to the British American colonies in 1774 with the help of Benjamin Franklin, arriving just in time to participate in the American Revolution. Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”
Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s and became deeply involved in the French Revolution. He wrote the Rights of Man, in part a defence of the French Revolution against its critics.
His attacks on British writer Edmund Burke led to a trial and conviction in absentia in 1792 for the crime of seditious libel.
In December 1793, he was arrested and imprisoned in Paris, then released in 1794. He became notorious because of his pamphlet The Age of Reason, in which he advocated deism, promoted reason and freethinking, and argued against institutionalized religion in general and Christian doctrine in particular.
He also wrote the pamphlet Agrarian Justice, discussing the origins of property and introducing the concept of a guaranteed minimum income.
Paine returned to America in 1802 where he died on June 8, 1809. Only six people attended his funeral as he had been ostracized for his ridicule of Christianity.
Paine has been described as “a corset maker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination,” but his contributions to the American Revolution and his ideas about human rights continue to influence political thought today.
Editoral Review
Thomas Paine’s The Age of Reason is a classic work first published on January 27, 1794. The book is a philosophical treatise that discusses rational thinking, religion, and the role they play in society.
As an American revolutionary, Paine was known for his criticism of the monarchy and support for the French Revolution. In this book, he takes on the religious establishments of his time and criticizes the concept of revealed religion.
The book begins with Paine discussing his religious upbringing and how he became disillusioned with Christianity. He then delves into the history of religious institutions and how they came to be.
Paine argues that religion was created by humans to control other humans and that it is not based on reason. He contends that religion is not necessary for morality and that it has been a source of division and conflict throughout history.
The main strength of The Age of Reason lies in Paine’s clear writing and arguments. He presents a well-reasoned case for his view of religion as being something that should be based on reason rather than faith.
The book is also a good representation of the Enlightenment, an era in which reason and logic were highly valued. One of the book’s weaknesses is that Paine’s writing can be overly polemical at times.
He attacks the Bible and Christianity extensively without giving a fair representation of opposing views. Additionally, readers who are deeply religious may find the book’s contents offensive.
Overall, The Age of Reason is an important work of philosophy that speaks to issues that are still relevant today. It provides a valuable perspective on the role of religion in society and encourages readers to evaluate their beliefs and think critically.
It is recommended for anyone interested in philosophy, history, or religious studies. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
