J. C. D. Clark Changing the World Over Again Reader's report General This is a collection of eleven short (5,000 word) essays on the thought of Thomas Paine, arising out of a conference held in 2012. Project This response is based on the publishing proposal and on four sample chapters (from Claeys; Hale; Hoffman and Carlos; Irwin). It is not explained whether these are the only chapters yet ready. The proposal promises (1) a consideration of the new directions that Paine studies should take; (2) an international or supranational perspective on Paine. As to (1), in the absence of the editorial Introduction, it is not yet fully clear what these general directions are. The element most clearly defined, and most novel, seems to be the work of a team at Iona College to test the accepted canon of Paine's writings by using computer analysis of prose styles: this promises to be important, and I am not aware that it has appeared in print before. But this chapter is not among the four samples. (2) A supranational approach is much needed, but it appears that only three of the eleven chapters are by foreigners, two French and one Italian, and none of these three chapters was sent for review. The rest are by scholars from or formerly from the USA. The collection lacks contributors from other perspectives, for example Britain and Ireland. It is not yet clear what the specifically supranational perspectives are that the collection would contribute, or whether these three chapters (by Belissa, Lounissi and Griffo) present any characteristically French or Italian positions. The proposal does not identify which of the contributors was present at the conference, or what interactions have taken place between those who were not present. Do the chapters represent a coherent position that has recently emerged, or are they essays that the contributors happened to have to hand? This is not yet clear. The proposal does not identify the editor(s). Are they Cleary and Stabell (p. 6, n. 9)? If so, it will be especially important to read their Introduction, since is it not clear how qualified they are for such a role, if indeed they are the editors. In my view, based on the list of chapters and on the texts of four sample chapters, the finished collection may well offer some original contributions to the field of Paine studies. The four sample chapters are rather varied in the degree to which they are up to date with recent research, but all four have worthwhile things to say. Similarly, the four sample chapters have not yet been edited and put into a common format. With the exception of Gregory Claeys, the authors are not well known to the wider public in the USA. As to the structure of the collection, section A seems to promise coherence, although this will depend on the content of the essays. So do Berton's and Irwin's essays in section B (although perhaps not Robyn's). Section C seems miscellaneous. Section D has most coherence, since it is addressed to two linked Paine titles. How sections A, B, C and D will cohere may depend greatly on the editorial Introduction. It is not yet apparent. The shelf-life of the collection, and any needs for revision, cannot be well judged until all the contributions can be seen. I am not aware that the book is being offered to a series. Market and Competition There are many books on Paine; in English, the lead is still held by the studies of Claeys (1989) and Philp (1989), both in paperback. They ably summed up where things stood in the mid 1980s; but that is some time ago. New views will therefore be welcome, and there seems to be no collection of essays currently in print like the one proposed, with the partial exception of Simon P. Newman and Peter S. Onuf (eds.), Paine and Jefferson in the Age of Revolutions (University of Virginia Press, 2013), which naturally focused on the American dimension. This collection promises to be more diverse, and more wide-ranging. It should be of interest to graduate students and academics in the fields of History and Political Science. Additionally, it is likely to attract attention because of its innovative essay on the computer modelling of prose styles. There will be some sales among non-academic followers of Paine for present-day purposes. The book is likely to sell mainly in the US and UK, with smaller sales in other English-speaking areas and in continental Europe. Recommendations The ground seems to be shifting under Paine studies, and a review of the field, from a number of perspectives, would be welcome. The proposal tells us that the conference was in October 2012; the proposal was sent to me in September 2014. Completion of the essays is promised by January 30th, 2015. This is not rapid progress (was it difficult to secure contributions?), and I suggest that the editors be encouraged to press forward to completion. Some thought might be give to the title. Where did Paine write of changing the world over again? Wasn't Paine's phrase 'to begin the world over again'? This collection promises to contain some new and worthwhile material, but cannot yet be properly judged from the materials now available (single-authored monographs may be assessed from samples; volumes of diverse essays by different contributors are much harder). I recommend that Palgrave continue to be interested in this title, encourage the editors, and have the book reviewed when all the essays have been received and the editorial Introduction written. Minor typos: Carine Lounissi, not Carinne or Carinnie. Maurizio Griffo, not Maurizo.
