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Thomas Paine

Common Sense Paperback – November 6, 2018

by Thomas Paine (Author)

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Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. In clear, simple language it explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate sensation. It was sold and distributed widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places. Washington had it read to all his troops, which at the time had surrounded the British army in Boston. 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.Common Sense presented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood. Forgoing the philosophical and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, he structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people. He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity. Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era".

Print length

46 pages
Language

English
Publication date

November 6, 2018
Dimensions

6 x 0.11 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1503254089
ISBN-13

978-1503254084
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 6, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 46 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1503254089
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1503254084
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.72 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.11 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #764,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #539 in Colonialism & Post-Colonialism
- #2,502 in Political Philosophy (Books)
- #5,123 in History & Theory of Politics

Customer Reviews:
167 ratings

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2 star		1%
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Judith Ziller

Everything old is new again.

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2019

Verified Purchase

This isn't an "easy" read but I wanted to try and understand why the people living in America were inspired to break with the mother country. I wish I could see, in today's culture, this kind of courage and yes--common sense--that this book reveals. A must read for anyone who considers themselves a patriot.

6 people found this helpful

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The Cooks..Maine.

Every school child should have this book for development of mind and future.

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021

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Everyone in the USA needs to have this book... Educational, historical and enlightening...!

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

The past is our future.

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2021

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Re-reading after 40 years. Amazing how the same quotes can be interpreted. The same constitutional quotes used in this "leftist" produced book, are now being chanted by today's far right to justify their assaults on the U.S. government..

3 people found this helpful

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B J Mikkelsen

A MUST read!

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2021

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All Americans ought to read this to gain a better understanding of American history and the British / American relationships.

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2021

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This was requested as a gift and he was not disappointed.

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marisa

Poor reproduction of work

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2020

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Poor reproduction for a piece of American history. Cover image is grainy up close, inside the book is a weird copyright, and illustrations/tables in side the work are still in text.

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2020

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Bought for a friend, came super fast and they enjoyed it.

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2018