Common Sense, The Rights of Man and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine (Signet Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

Thomas Paine (Author), Sidney Hook (Introduction), Jr., Jack Fruchtman (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Paine's daring prose paved the way for the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. This volume also includes "The Crisis," "The Age of Reason," and "Agrarian Justice."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Without...Paine, the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain."
-John Adams

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Signet Classics (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451528891
• ISBN-13: 978-0451528896
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Political
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Politics > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, Revolutionary, and Worth a Read, November 13, 2006

By 

R. DelParto "Rose2" (Virginia Beach, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Common Sense, The Rights of Man and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine (Signet Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

In an unrelenting quest to understanding the history of the United States, one obscure name comes to mind, Thomas Paine. Paine helped establish the meaning of democracy and the "united" in United States. His two monumental works, COMMON SENSE AND RIGHTS OF MAN, provided the philosophical and rhetorical building blocks that the founding fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, et al., would emulate with the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Many take for granted the origins of freedom and democracy in the United States, and as with many school history textbooks depict, Paine merely appears in a paragraph or two, and quickly disappears to historical oblivion.

Nevertheless, when one reads COMMON SENSE AND RIGHTS OF MAN: AND OTHER ESSENTIAL WRITINGS OF THOMAS PAINE, there will be no doubt how significant his philosophical and political writings transformed the political structure of the colonies. Although this may sound somewhat romanticized, Paine's words ignited the energy for the colonists to free themselves from the tyrannical-monarchical leadership of England's King George III. With all the talk of Paine being a founding father, he may also be considered the father of revolution, American Revolution and French Revolution, and human rights. Without the inspiration from his friend Edmund Burke, author of REFLECTIONS ON THE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE, Paine may not have been able to write the pamphlet Rights of Man. Indeed, his power of the written word translated to revolutionary action, and Jeffersonian ideology.

In clear and no nonsense language, Paine's perspective of the state of the colonies are elaborately told in COMMON SENSE. He adamantly shows his opposition toward hereditary rule and limitations imposed on individuals by George III and his vehement disdain towards aristocrats and kings. For RIGHTS OF MAN, he proposed possible solutions toward poverty, and created a blueprint towards achieving social and political institutions through his written abstracts. The other essential writings include the pamphlets, THE CRISIS, part one of THE AGE OF REASON, and selections of AGRARIAN JUSTICE. These writings gives readers an idea the political and religious atmosphere in which Paine lived, and how "breaking ties" with the so-called "motherland" was necessary towards forging a free nation.

COMMON SENSE AND RIGHTS OF MAN is indeed accessible with its pocketbook size form. After reading the book, readers may have a better understanding of what it takes to build a nation. Paine's words are lessons of history and humanity, and is definitely recommendable reading.

72 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paine's common sense, March 20, 2000

By 

benny - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Sense, The Rights of Man, and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine (Mass Market Paperback)

Thomas Paine's clear and concise writings make him one of the greatest political authors of his time. Basic thoughts of freedom and democracy, that seem so common place nowadays, were brought about because of Paines "radical" ideas. His books Common Sense and The Rights of Man were written not just for the political philosopher but also for the common man. Both the aforementioned books played a big part in the American and French Revolutions.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for anyone seriously interested in American history, January 21, 2007

By 

Maria Folsom (East Glacier Park, Montana USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Common Sense, The Rights of Man and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine (Signet Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is what we're founded on, what America is supposed to be, and the way we should conduct our political affairs. Paine should probably be required reading for every citizen, every student, anyone wondering what freedom really means. Besides being informative, it is incisive, sarcastic, humorous, and passionate. The English is old and dated, but that just adds to its delight. I read this in short segments and then thought about each chapter. It made me proud to be an American and sad to realize how much freedom we've lost since Paine's day.