Excellent book for understanding the feelings of Americans as they declared their independence from Great Britain. Makes you want to learn more than just one side of the issue. For those interested in American Revolutionary War history this is a must read.

A large part of the book is about boosting the morale of the country during times when the outcome was uncertain. Paine can be intemperate at times. I'm not surprised that over time he alienated many of his friends so that only 6 people came to his funeral.

This guy could write! Crisis #1 offered up such encouraging logic, that George Washington ordered it read aloud to his army. Paine repeatedly structured compelling arguments on a variety of issues, based on evidence and logic. But the most enjoyable parts for me were the insults he regularly hurled upon British generals and politicians. Some made me laugh out loud. With a combination of logic, wit and outright writing ability, Paine had to have been one of the smartest guys on this side of the A...

He was a born rebel (perhaps even a chronic malcontent) who managed serially to become an enemy of King George III, Maximilien Robespierre, and George Washington, as well as an object of disdain for John Adams. But he was a wonderful propagandist and pamphleteer, as this condensed set of selections from his series The Crisis amply shows. Worth reading for the sake of the writing alone, let alone the help in understanding the time.A few passages also demonstrate how American exceptionalism was bu...

With as much vitriol and negative crap going on around us every day lately (not all of it undeserved mind you), I found it tremendously heartening to hear someone speak so passionately and unabashedly about loving their country and being willing to fight and sacrifice to preserve the ideals for which it was founded. Surprisingly, I found this to be an even more emotionally stirring work than Paine's more famous Common Sense. I read this piece immediately after finishing the historical fiction no...

Love Paine's writings! Very talented and he's got a brilliant grasp on language and persuasive techniques. And his sarcasm is amazing!

"These are the times that try men's souls..." Like most Americans, I knew the quote and the source, but not the entirety of Paine's essays and letters from his years serving in the American army under Washington. Reading all thirteen of the Crisis series is like looking at the blog of an American Revolutionary War soldier. It's angry, it's self-justifying, it's personal.Some essays in the Crisis are independent works, written for publication by American printers. Others take the forms of letters...

Thirteen essays written between 1776 and 1783. Some are very stirring and strongly argued; others are more mundane. Overall, worth reading. Read on-line.

In The Crisis, Paine displayed his full power as a propagandist. His first Crisis was written in the dark winter of 1776 when the war was going badly for the Colonials, "the times that try men's souls," as he put it. His call to action in adversity, his sneer at "the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot" are as stirring now as they certainly were then. He stripped his subject of every side issue, every nuance that might encourage wavering or compromise, and focused his reader exclusively on t...

A wonderfully written piece with humor and at times biting wit.

I know this was a huge propaganda tool. I know this is one man's impassioned opinion and that I must take it all with a "grain of salt." But I just can't help but be pulled in by Paine's persuasions and believe that what he says is the one and only truth. What a beautiful wordsmith he was with such awesome lines as:"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'Tis dearness only that gives every thing its value." Not to mention his powerful opener: "These are the times that try men's souls:

I taught The Crisis for 6 years in my AP Language class. This is a wonderful work for preparing students for the AP test and for ACT preparation as it is a non-fiction persuasive argument with metaphor. allusion, parallelism and historical significance. Because of the richness of allusions in the text and allusions to the text, this is a piece any writer or aspiring educated citizen should read. Thomas Paine's passion is refreshing in it's zeal, and enlightening to the tone and mood of the era.

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value." So begins this classic work by

I wish this was either shorter or smaller. The random selections following The Crisis that are provided feel fragmented, and at times I wish there was some historical context provided with the text. But Paine is a good writer, very passionate and determined and I found his voice interesting and engaging.

Although this is an excellent read for a contemporary feeling of the revolutionary generation of Americans it does get repetitive and long winded in parts. Several of the Crisis papers are brilliant but others are not. Thomas Paine was definitely one of the most passionate and gifted writers of the American Revolution and reading his works are worthwhile to tap into the feeling of the day. Good for the historian readers out there.

A series of short essays where Paine really shows his flair as a propagandist. The origin of a few famous quotes and something which has a rather pleasant fire to it. A very specific piece.Quote of the book There is not in the compass of language a sufficiency of words to express the baseness of your king, his ministry and his army. They have refined upon villany till it wants a name. To the fiercer vices of former ages they have added the dregs and scummings of the most finished rascality, and...

These are the times that try mens’ souls. If “Common Sense” jumpstarted the revolution, “the Crisis” played a major role in sustaining it. Powerful words as should be expected of Paine. I enjoyed it, but to a lesser degree than I enjoyed “Common Sense.” Still, its historical significance should not be underestimated. To argue with a man who has announced used in authority of reason, and his philosophy consists and holding humanity and content, it’s like administering medicine to the dad, or ende...

Well let me put it this way. Read the Crisis I.Then skip the rest unless you are a true scholar of history. It is interesting especially to read in conjunction with a study of the American Revolution,but I wouldn't suggest it for a good bedtime story.Unless you're having trouble going to sleep.

Okay

Bombast to the point that it's kinda boring