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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
"These are the times that try men's souls," begins Thomas Paine's first Crisis paper, the impassioned pamphlet that helped ignite the American Revolution. Published in Philadelphia in January of 1776, Common Sense sold 150,000 copies almost immediately. A powerful piece of propaganda, it attacked the idea of a hereditary monarchy, dismissed the chance for reconciliation with England, and outlined the economic benefits of independence while espousing equality of rights among citizens. Paine fanned a flame that was already burning, but many historians argue that his work unified dissenting voices and persuaded patriots that the American Revolution was not only necessary, but an epochal step in world history.
--This text refers to an alternate
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“No writer has exceeded Paine in ease and familiarity of style; in perspicuity of expression, happiness of elucidation, and in simple unassuming language.” —Thomas Jefferson
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
263 of 269 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Common Sense is one of the greatest articles of argumentation ever written. Paine was the finest pamphleteer of his age and was able to turn the discontents of the colonists and, especially, the intellectual leaders of the revolutionary movement into arguments that were easily understood by ordinary colonials and which inspired them to rally to the cause of independence.
I first read Common Sense more than fifty years ago and remember well being impressed with Paine's ability to carry arguments and to anticipate those of his opponents before his tract even hit the street. Over the course of my lifetime, I was inspired by the author and became a pamphleteer of sorts myself. I always told my colleagues that I wanted to become a poor man's Tom Paine. But after reading the piece once again, I realize that almost all who aspire to follow in his footsteps, if not fill his shoes, are doomed to become but very poor copies of the original.
Other reviewers have noted the fluidity of his writing; it reads as simply, directly and forcefully today as it must have nearly a quarter of a millennium ago. Obviously, one did not have to be a great reader to be swayed by the force of Paine's words or to be inspired to the side of those wishing to throw off the English yoke.
I was struck by echoes of Paine in many great American speeches that were running through my mind as I read. A number of quotes from Robert F. Kennedy seemed to have been directly inspired by Common Sense, and I hastily looked them up and offer these two for your consideration:
"It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task."
"All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don't. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity."
The Declaration of Independence itself is a direct offspring of this great tract. Jefferson and the others charged with developing the document were well aware of Paine and had the opportunity to evaluate his words and to use his methods in creating our declaration, and this takes nothing away from their genius.
This is a document that can be read in short order, and it is free at the Kindle Store. How can you say no to giving it a try?
I first read Common Sense more than fifty years ago and remember well being impressed with Paine's ability to carry arguments and to anticipate those of his opponents before his tract even hit the street. Over the course of my lifetime, I was inspired by the author and became a pamphleteer of sorts myself. I always told my colleagues that I wanted to become a poor man's Tom Paine. But after reading the piece once again, I realize that almost all who aspire to follow in his footsteps, if not fill his shoes, are doomed to become but very poor copies of the original.
Other reviewers have noted the fluidity of his writing; it reads as simply, directly and forcefully today as it must have nearly a quarter of a millennium ago. Obviously, one did not have to be a great reader to be swayed by the force of Paine's words or to be inspired to the side of those wishing to throw off the English yoke.
I was struck by echoes of Paine in many great American speeches that were running through my mind as I read. A number of quotes from Robert F. Kennedy seemed to have been directly inspired by Common Sense, and I hastily looked them up and offer these two for your consideration:
"It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task."
"All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don't. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity."
The Declaration of Independence itself is a direct offspring of this great tract. Jefferson and the others charged with developing the document were well aware of Paine and had the opportunity to evaluate his words and to use his methods in creating our declaration, and this takes nothing away from their genius.
This is a document that can be read in short order, and it is free at the Kindle Store. How can you say no to giving it a try?
68 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read the other reviews and while I agree with them, I must add that this book is more than history. I remember reading Paine's critique of the English government being "so exceedingly complex" that when a problem developed, politicians would fight for years deciding whose fault it was. Finally, when they would try to solve the problem, everyone had a different solution. I thought I was reading an editorial from USNews. I was amazed that many problems that incited the colonies to revolt are now present in our new government. Read this as more than great history. Read it as political science, and public commentary.
109 of 124 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a GREAT book. Memorable. It gives one a great understanding of how the founders of the US Constitution were thinking.
After reading this, I realized that the US has come almost full circle, back to a monarchy, a Congress that does not respond honestly but by money and the millions of "religious monarchists" who want to make all the laws for everyone else.
Read it.
After reading this, I realized that the US has come almost full circle, back to a monarchy, a Congress that does not respond honestly but by money and the millions of "religious monarchists" who want to make all the laws for everyone else.
Read it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very good
Very good. Nothing fancy, just the actual text of the flyer published and circulated by Payne. Easy to read. Very illuminating. Read more
Published 2 days ago by HAFernandez
History everyone should read
Common Sense is just that, and a refletion on how the founders of the USA thought at that point in time. Read more
Published 10 days ago by HBOPRO
Quintessential reading for any America
Every American, or anyone that desires Liberty, should read this book. It presents the argument for why historic liberalism should be the route of government.
Published 17 days ago by Addycakes
Great book!!!
This book should be required reading for every American. It lays out the logic of the founding fathers in separating from England but also lays out the logical and philosophical... Read more
Published 25 days ago by Jwp914
good to have background
I enjoyed reading a book I have heard quoted so often over the years-from college history to lots of political discussions about why our government has become what it has become. Read more
Published 1 month ago by BT
Common Sense
I recently downloaded have not read completely
have always wanted a copy as it is a guide for conservatives
would recommend as a must read for every person even those... Read more
have always wanted a copy as it is a guide for conservatives
would recommend as a must read for every person even those... Read more
Published 1 month ago by unklbill41
I adore Common Sense
Common Sense was a book I was forced to read in a college history course. I was reluctant to start the book but after reading a couple of paragraphs I was hooked. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jenna Curtis
Common Sense
When this was a required reading in high school, I read it. Now it actually means a lot more to me than it did all those years ago. Read more
Published 1 month ago by iread
Common sense
In my opinion Thomas Paine was one of the smarter of the founding fathers. Along with Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ralph Moore
Oh lord, abook on common sense
Hard to follow the dilect, intresting reading once you get into it. Dilect could have been updated. Took awhile to read, but found this book to be rather intresting.
Published 2 months ago by stylis2012
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