Apostles of Revolution : Jefferson, Paine, Monroe, and the Struggle Against the Old Order in America and Europe

From acclaimed historian John Ferling, the story of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and James Monroe's involvement in the American and French Revolutions and their quest for sweeping change in both America and Europe. Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and James Monroe hazarded all in quest of revolutions. As founding fathers, they risked their lives and their liberty for American independence, and as reformers, each rejoiced at the opportunity to be part of the French Revolution, praying that it in turn would inspire others to sweep away Europe's monarchies and titled nobilities. For these three men, real revolution would lead to substantive political and social alterations and an escape from royal and aristocratic rule. But as the eighteenth century unfolded, these three separated onto different routes to revolution-two became soldiers, two became writers, and two became statesmen-and their united cause but divided means reshaped their country and the Western world. Apostles of Revolution spans a crucial time in Western Civilization. The era ranged from the American insurgency against Great Britain to the Declaration of Independence, from desperate engagements on American battlefields to the bloody Terror in France. It culminates with the tumultuous election of 1800, the outcome of which – according to Jefferson – saved the American Revolution. Written as a sweeping narrative of a turbulent and pivotal era, Apostles of the Revolution captures the spirit of our founding fathers and the history of America and Europe's great turning point. Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, And James Monroe Were In The Vanguard Of Revolutionary Ideas In The 18th Century. As Founding Fathers, They Risked Their Lives For American Independence, But They Also Wanted More. Each Wished For Profound Changes In The Political And Social Fabric Of Pre-1776 America And Hoped That The American Revolution Would Spark Republican And Egalitarian Revolutions Throughout Europe, Sweeping Away The Old Monarchical Order. Ultimately, Each Rejoiced At The Opportunity To Be A Part Of The French Revolution, A Cause That Became Untenable As Idealism Gave Way To The Bloody Terror. Apostles Of Revolution Spans A Crucial Period In Western Civilization Ranging From The American Insurgency Against Great Britain To The Declaration Of Independence, From Desperate Engagements On American Battlefields To The Threat Posed To The Ideals Of The Revolution By The Federalist Party. With The French Revolution Devolving Into Anarchy In The Background, The Era Culminates With The Revolution Of 1800, Jefferson's Election As President--title Page Verso. The Destinies Of Life : On The Road To Bigger Things -- The Birthday Of A New World Is At Hand : Revolutionaries -- These Are The Times That Try Men's Souls : Paine And Monroe Go To War -- Defending Our Fanes And Fire-sides : Winning The Revolutionary War -- The Times That Tried Men's Souls, Are Over : Peace And New Departures -- My Country Is The World : Paine And The Early Years Of The French Revolution -- Itching For Crowns, Coronets, And Mitres : The Rise Of Partisan Politics -- The Only Man Who Possessed The Confidence Of The Whole : Partisan America In A Predatory World -- I Relinquish Hope : The French Revolution In France And America -- A Continued Scene Of Horror : Paine, Monroe, And The Luxembourg -- The Federalist Tide Is Strong : Gloomy Years For The Apostles Of Revolution -- The Reign Of Witches : The High Federalists Take Charge -- I Know Of No Republic Except America : Endgame -- Death Has No Terrors For Me : Closing The Age Of Paine. John Ferling. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 405-408) And Index. From acclaimed historian John Ferling, the story of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and James Monroe's championing of the most radical ideas of the American and French Revolutions. Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and James Monroe were in the vanguard of revolutionary ideas in the 18th century. As founding fathers, they risked their lives for American independence, but they also wanted more. Each wished for profound changes in the political and social fabric of pre-1776 America, and hoped that the American Revolution would spark republican and egalitarian revolutions throughout Europe, sweeping away the old aristocratic order. Ultimately, each rejoiced at the opportunity to be a part of the French Revolution, a cause that became increasingly untenable as idealism gave way to the bloody Terror. Apostles of the Revolution , spans a crucial time in Western Civilization. The era ranged from the American insurgency against Great Britain to the Declaration of Independence, from desperate engagements on American battlefields to the threat posed to the young democracy by the Federalist's Tory leanings. With the French Revolution devolving into anarchy in the background, the story culminates with the tumultuous election of 1800, the outcome of which, Jefferson claimed, saved the American Revolution and assured that its most radical ideals would carry into the future. Written as a sweeping narrative of a pivotal era, Apostles of the Revolution captures the turbulent spirit of the times and reminds us that the liberty we take for granted is ours only because we, both champions and common citizens, have fought for it. "Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and James Monroe were in the vanguard of revolutionary ideas in the 18th century. As founding fathers, they risked their lives for American independence, but they also wanted more. Each wished for profound changes in the political and social fabric of pre-1776 America and hoped that the American Revolution would spark republican and egalitarian revolutions throughout Europe, sweeping away the old monarchical order. Ultimately, each rejoiced at the opportunity to be a part of the French Revolution, a cause that became untenable as idealism gave way to the bloody Reign of Terror. [This book] spans a crucial period in Western Civilization ranging from the American insurgency against Great Britain to the Declaration of Independence, from desperate engagements on American battlefields to the threat posed to the ideals of the Revolution by the Federalist Party. With the French Revolution devolving into carnage and unrelenting warfare in the background, the era culminates with the "Revolution of 1800"--Jefferson's election as president. ritten s a sweeping narrative of a pivotal epoch, [this book] captures the turbulent spirit of the times and the personal dangers experienced by Jefferson, Paine, and Monroe."--Jacket