Thomas Paine

I recently finished listening to the audiobook "Thomas Paine and the Clarion Call for American Independence," by Harlow Giles Unger. I found Paine's story awe inspiring, but in the end, for him, tragic.

I'm looking to chat up folks about their thoughts on Paine. I have no expertise whatsoever. I have just listened to this one book.

I will try to bring some notes myself on him, probably from Unger's biography. I like to be fact-based, so I don't want this to be too much of a conversation of "I think that . . . ." But perhaps even if we don't have too many facts on the table, we can talk about such things as what it means historically (and personally) to take risks and inspire, or what of the original American spirit as voiced in Paine's words remains today. We also could talk about democracy, and maybe revolution. Paine had remarkably different experiences in his role as inspirer during the American Revolution compared to his role as inspirer during the French Revolution. The first was exalting, the second was full of betrayal and hideous disappointment.

This is a late lunch and a discussion, all at the same time. We will be at Maria's Old Town 21 in historic Petersburg, Va. Maria's is a spacious Italian restaurant.

We will follow the restaurant's policy regarding masking. On a personal note, I request you be vaxxed to the max you can be, while keeping in mind your personal health. I have no intention of trying to enforce this, but it seems responsible.

When you arrive, you can ask for Bryan, or for the Thomas Paine group.

Let me know if you have any questions. I hope to have a good conversation with fellow enthusiasts of history and of knowledge in general.