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interesting to read
Well written and articulate argument. I actually disagree with many points raised in the book. It’s clear Paine was biased in favor of the radical revolution in France rather than the stable and traditional society in England. I think the western world would be in a much better place if it had followed the British model rather than the French.
Well written and articulate argument. I actually disagree with many points raised in the book. It’s clear Paine was biased in favor of the radical revolution in France rather than the stable and traditional society in England. I think the western world would be in a much better place if it had followed the British model rather than the French.
Gave it a go.I thought the writing was great. I just got a bit bored.
Gave it a go.I thought the writing was great. I just got a bit bored.
Somehow over the last couple weeks I got myself into reading the Oxford World Classics edition of Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man, Common Sense, and Other Political Writings. It started when I decided that I had to read “Agrarian Justice” for the same stupid DSA presentation that I made myself read four other books for. “Agrarian Justice” is only 40 pages, out of a nearly 500-page book, so I could have left it there. But then I went back to the beginning to read “Common Sense,” and then I felt li...
Read it.
Having finished Paine's Rights of Man, &c I can't really recommend it. Common sense is great. It captures the moment before the American war of independence, it's arguments (against colonialism c.q. oppression) stand the test of time. It makes you ready. Ready to fight the British usurper and conquer the independence that should be yours.Rights of Man (part the first and part the second) should do the same for the French revolution. The moments where Rights of Man captures the day to day events
5 stars for Rights of Man and Common Sense. Think it would have been a better editorial decision to choose Age of Reason (if perhaps not strictly political) and some other volumes of American Crisis rather than certain other choices. As it stands, American Crisis is represented patchily and rather than being a great addition to any collection this edition is meant to be some kind of crash-course of Paine's political philosophy.
This is a collection of short political essays.They are written in very clear concise English for the time of publication.Highly recommended.
Excellent. Still true today that the power of the English form of government is set up on corrupt principles. As Paine says the Monarchy claim a right to rule and to their property based on a posterity with its roots in banditry.
simply it calls for reason and commom sense
If there's anything I like that's related to politics, it's political activism, and that's where Thomas Paine comes in. Each sentence seems to come straight from his emotionally charged heart, in his quest for political freedom. Anyway, I read this great political pamphlet while on a train from Gaillac to Toulouse in the south of France. I need to read it again, but I do remember his interesting observations focusing on monarchy and the distinction between society and government.
Tom Paine was a cool guy, way ahead of his time.
AcknowledgementsIntroductionNote on the TextsSelect BibliographyA Chronology of Thomas Paine--Common Sense--American Crisis I--American Crisis XIII--Letter to Jefferson--Rights of Man--Rights of Man Part the Second--Letter Addressed to the Addressers, on the Late Proclamation--Dissertation on the First Principles of Government--Agrarian JusticeAbbreviationsExplanatory NotesIndex
I only read "Common Sense" and the "American Crisis" selections. Might tackle "Rights of Man" in the future. Needless to say, Paine was ahead of his time.
I only read "Common Sense" and the "American Crisis" selections. Might tackle "Rights of Man" in the future. Needless to say, Paine was ahead of his time.
Thomas Paine was a true radical. He was angry and combative.As one of the key voices for the American and French Revolution, his angst towards monarchies and hereditary privileges coincided with the zeitgeist calling for meritocracy and human rights.Paine attacks opponents with vigor and the intensity of a fiery trial lawyer. His key argument against monarchies is the flaw of the hereditary succession problem. Even if a nation is fortunate to be lead by a enlightened and noble ruler, there is no...
Thomas Paine was a true radical. He was angry and combative.As one of the key voices for the American and French Revolution, his angst towards monarchies and hereditary privileges coincided with the zeitgeist calling for meritocracy and human rights.Paine attacks opponents with vigor and the intensity of a fiery trial lawyer. His key argument against monarchies is the flaw of the hereditary succession problem. Even if a nation is fortunate to be lead by a enlightened and noble ruler, there is no...
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