One of the most important works from any writer during the American War for Independence. During the darkest days of the struggle, Gen. George Washington reportedly had Paine's work read to his troops to inspire them to hold on during the months of squalor, danger, cold, and deprivation. I dare say that Paine's works like this one led to America's ultimate victory over the Empire seeking its reconquest.

Most Americans have at least a general knowledge of the events that sparked the American Revolution. Long story short (and super simplified) — British Parliament passed the Tea Act in mid 1773 allowing a British tea company to sell basically untaxed tea from China in the colonies while the colonists were still being taxed and therefore forced to sell higher priced tea. This set off an intense debate about the colonists being taxed without representation, culminating in the Boston Tea Party. As p...

"Time makes more converts than reason." – Thomas Paine And with that early quote, this reader steadily became enthralled with a founding father. I sincerely wish this novella-sized essay had been required reading while I was still in high school—or at any point in my education, for that matter. (Okay, if I'm being honest, my teenage self wanted history explained something like this...)But seriously... the read I thought was going to be a necessary slog turned out to be not only insightful, but

This is the booklet that pushed us to become a free country. "In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time (2.5 million), it had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history." I read it in Honors Sophomore World History almost forty years ago, but no one seems to teach it anymore. Except I do. [Or I did until I retired from teaching.] "When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old in 1835, he wrote a defense of Paine's deism; a political associate, Samuel Hi...

4.5 stars. Scathing, derogatory rhetoric directed at the King of England in particular and the British in general designed to arouse the "passions" of the American colonists to embrace the idea of independence from Britian. From that standpoint, very few books in history have been as successful in achieving its goal. Almost 250 years later, this short book (better described as a long essay), still has the power to move you and make you feel the passion of the writer for his subject matter. A tru...

Known to some as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence, Common Sense by Thomas Paine may actually serve as evidence of the blinding effects of fervent patriotism. Paine masterly grasped the attention of the reader by questioning about the origin of government to stir the desire to question about the evolution of government over time--how government has, over the course of centuries, became what it is. The choice to begin the text with regards to the origin and progress from hence is als...

Coming of AgeThis pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 makes a case for the independence of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain. Taking into consideration examples drawn from antiquity, medieval England, and recent history, written in plain style and distributed widely, it was tailored to appeal to the largest numbers. Join, or Die - Benjamin Franklin, 1754 Some excerpts:'Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; w...

I’ve been reading “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine So men say that I’m intense or I’m insane You want a revolution? I want a revelation! So listen to my declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal,” And when I meet Thomas Jefferson Imma compel him to include women in the sequel! Work!Yes, I did pick up this pamphlet because I am obsessed with the musical Hamilton (what can I say, I can relate to men thinking that you're intense and/or insane), and I am so

I feel a bit ashamed that this is the first time that I have read Common Sense in its entirety. It is a piece of American history that deserves our attention and respect. It is easy to see why it affected people of its time in the way that it did, as it is clearly and simply written and sets forth in undeniable logic the issues in question at the time. Masterfully titled, Paine’s points do indeed seem to be common sense. I was particularly struck by his deft destruction of the divine right of ki...

In observance of Independence Day I decided to read something to help me widen my knowledge on the history of the American Revolution.Common Sense is 48 page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, but published anonymously in January 10, 1776. The document which was published right at the beginning of the American Revolution argues in favor of America's independence from Great Britain.Paine, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was born in England. He was a political activist, philosophe...

That was a wonderful ride. And yes, I tried to resist using this gif. (especially since the line itself isn't historically accurate- Thomas Paine published his world-changing pamphlet anonymously.) Desperately. But I couldn't help it. "a corset maker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination!" Doesn't he just look like the sort who would spin around in his non-existent swivel chair, arms in the air, squealing "BUUURRRRRNNNNN!!!!!" wheneve...

12/19/20: This review continues to be a source of great annoyance. Since I can’t mute the comment section, I’ll just put a little message here: don’t comment. I don’t read the comments anymore and I don’t care what you have to say. I don’t want to discuss this silly non-review I wrote when I was 16; I haven’t thought about this particular piece of literature in years. If you’re so terribly offended that a stranger on the internet dislikes a pamphlet written 244 years ago, please consider doing t...

Something everyone should read, study and learn to understand. This pamphlet made a new world. We need such men to stand and inspire us to do the same once again.

Still rings true....."This is our situation, and who will know it. By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue;by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils-a ravaged country-a depopulated city-habitations without safety, and slavery without hope."R.I.P to one of our great Americans, Thomas Paine.

“A pamphlet called ‘Commonsense’ makes a great noise. One of the vilest things that ever was published to the world. Full of false representations, lies, calumny, and treason, whose principles are to subvert all Kingly Governments and erect an Independent Republic.” ~Nicholas CresswellOne could argue that without Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’ of January 1776, there would be no American Declaration of Independence of July 1776. True there was discontent and animosity between England and Colonial

Like most Americans, I've read the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, but maybe not all of it recently, and not much of the actual writings of the founding fathers. So this Audible daily deal seemed like a good thing to add to my commute.Thomas Paine's famous polemic is a quick and easy listen, because that's how he intended it to be - indeed, it was read throughout the colonies, in inns and taverns and meeting houses, to a population that was well-educated fo...

14 Feb. 2018I read this in college in the mid-70s - excellent, and also listened to the audio book version a few years ago.Great little statement about why tyranny must be stopped.Lots of fascinating English and Roman history that will probably be new to modern readers, yet is very important for understanding how the United States came to be.2022-01-05As folks who know their American history know, this book helped along the American Revolution greatly. It was by far the best read book of the tim...

Having never read this oft-mentioned founding document, I dove in.It took awhile to acclimatize, to the language, to gather facts and fictions about the era and population Thomas Paine addresses in his famous work, but I got the gist of it. I found inspiration and wisdom in it. I recognized so many phrases and sentiments that rang true, although I am not of his time. It is clear I have been carefully taught these things my entire life. That stuns me, a little, waving in my free brain thoughts ta...

I read this essay in school many years ago; I have read several books recently that have referred the Pane’s “Common Sense”. So, I thought I would re-read and refresh my memory about the book.“Common Sense” was published in 1776 and challenged the authority of the British government and monarchy. It was written in plain language for the common person to easily read. It was the first published works to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. Pane says that government’s sole purpose is to

One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise, she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion.Unfortunate that the knee-jerk Right has appropriated this polished wit. I can't see how is reconciles with the specks of froth about emails and birth certificates. Baggage eschewed, this remains a powerful pamphlet, a catalyst for defiance. Not as convincing as J.S. Mill, but one rife with