Essential Thomas Paine: Common Sense, The Rights of Man (Paperback)

by Thomas Paine (Author), Sidney Hook (Introduction) "Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a..." (more)
Key Phrases: democratical form, hereditary succession, National Assembly, French Revolution, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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"These Are The Times That Try Men's Souls."
Three key works by one of the world's most eloquent proponents of democracy. Essential reading for all who cherish liberty.

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“Without...Paine, the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain.”
—John Adams --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Plume (November 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452009219
• ISBN-13: 978-0452009219
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #624,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 79 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 (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (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.

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	benny (Canada) - See all my reviews

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.

71 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good collection, poor introduction, October 2, 2008

By	Eric Tyler Simmons (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

This little paperback is conveniently sized and conveniently priced. Were it not for the bothersome introduction, I would have gladly given it five stars. As it stands, however, I could do without radical leftist Sidney Hook's presumptuous introduction, wherein he arrogantly dictates to me precisely how I should read Thomas Paine, and in what manner Mr. Paine is correct and incorrect in his reasoning. Ripping out the introduction or going over it line-by-line with a black sharpie would be a marked improvement to this volume.