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Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine Paperback – June 16, 2009
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In any era, great Americans inspire us to reach our full potential. They know with conviction what they believe within themselves. They understand that all actions have consequences. And they find commonsense solutions to the nation’s problems.
One such American, Thomas Paine, was an ordinary man who changed the course of history by penning Common Sense, the concise 1776 masterpiece in which, through extraordinarily straightforward and indisputable arguments, he encouraged his fellow citizens to take control of America’s future—and, ultimately, her freedom.
Nearly two and a half centuries later, those very freedoms once again hang in the balance. And now, Glenn Beck revisits Paine’s powerful treatise with one purpose: to galvanize Americans to see past government’s easy solutions, two-party monopoly, and illogical methods and take back our great country.
- Print length192 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherThreshold Editions
- Publication dateJune 16, 2009
- Dimensions5.31 x 0.6 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-101439168571
- ISBN-13978-1439168578
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Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They appreciate the insight and wisdom of the founding fathers. The book is described as interesting, entertaining, and refreshing. It's non-partisan and provides a solid foundation for building a great nation. Readers find it worth the price and consider it an awesome purchase.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to read and convenient to understand. They appreciate the relaxed yet thorough writing style and consider it a well-thought-out discussion.
"...No matter what your personal politics, this book is worth reading because like Thomas Paine's original warnings, this slightly over 100-page volume..." Read more
"...Mr. Beck uses the plain and simplistic language of today so that all who read his work should understand his points, which was the same goal Mr...." Read more
"...Beck brings his signature intensity to every page...." Read more
"...same volume, Beck is commended for making it convenient to read the predecessor's very fine book...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and informative. They appreciate the common-sense approach and wisdom of the founding fathers. The book offers well-researched information that is edifying and grounded in logic. It's recommended for anyone with an open mind.
"...Common Sense" is a thought provoking, common sense page-turner. It's a call to action for adults. Follow your gut...." Read more
"...Page 17, end of third paragraph, is a fine bit of logic re: global warming un-common sense, and is worth getting the book to read it...." Read more
"...They vote themselves generous salaries and huge benefits--all paid for by the taxpayer...." Read more
"...No wonder it's #1. Common Sense for people who have Common Sense. Beck is the canary in the coal mine...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and informative. They describe it as a well-written history lesson that is refreshing and relevant to today's political debate. The book resonates with hope, good ideas, and the pursuit of happiness.
"...As always, Glenn makes his case with facts and figures, not conjecture...." Read more
"...This book resonates with hope, and despite the peril we face, we can take back our freedom if we do not wait too long...." Read more
"...It will open your eyes to current events and you will see how far we are straying from a free country." Read more
"...of Glenn's no holds barred approach to conservative politics, an entertaining book and a fast read...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's non-partisan approach. They find it a great book for all political views, with a logical and well-reasoned view that speaks to conservatives and traditionalists alike. The author is sincere and patriotic without identifying any particular political group.
"...This is a nonpartisan book...." Read more
"...This is a CONSERVATIVE book written from the viewpoint of a conservative libertarian--and nearly everybody gets taken to the woodshed by Beck at..." Read more
""Common Sense" offers an indepth view of how the Washington elites since Woodrow Wilson, have incrementally dismanteled the U.S. Constitution in..." Read more
"The ideas set forth in this book are not uncommon to conservative thought regarding the current state and future of our nation...." Read more
Customers find the book a good value for money. They appreciate the narration in Glenn's voice.
"This book is actually two for the price of one, since Tom Paine's pamphlet is also included...." Read more
"...truly want to know what can be done, this book is a very small investment for a big return. Must read for informed people!" Read more
"...write this book and in the process, pushed it to paperback and kept the price low. The message in the book is clear...." Read more
"...Great price and read!" Read more
Customers find the book informative and a valuable resource for Americans. They say it helps them understand their nation and its heritage. The book is non-partisan and serves as a wake-up call for all Americans, no matter their political views. Readers mention that Paine's pamphlets played an important part in uniting the American colonists.
"...Your rights are natural (or God-given, if you prefer), and you delegate limited portions of them to the government so it can preserve our "Life,..." Read more
"...Paine's pamphlets played an important part in uniting the American colonists (to the extent they were united) in determination to secede from the..." Read more
"...or donate this book to your library..will wake you up to the erosion of individual rights and Washington's version of change...socialism from the..." Read more
""GLENN BECK'S COMMON SENSE" is an excellent account of the loss of our freedom and the consequences of that loss of freedom instigated by the "..." Read more
Customers appreciate the well-researched and substantiated information in the book. They find it entertaining and believable, with examples from history. The author supports the founding principles of the country and the founders' morals. However, some readers feel the book starts out strong but quickly loses its momentum.
"...He is on the American side. He strongly believes in our founders and great principals and morals...." Read more
"...the ridiculousness of the left he was both entertaining and believable and on track and respected...." Read more
"...It sites solid examples from events in the past, entertaining because Beck never bites his tongue, and inspiring with a civil call-to-action for..." Read more
"It is a back to basics book on the American Constitution and founding principles which made this country great for 200 years...." Read more
Customers find the book suitable for readers of all ages. They say it encourages children to read and understand history. Readers appreciate the vivid color illustrations that provide continuity throughout the book. Overall, they describe it as an interesting and fun novel.
"...Great Book! Worth sharing with your youngsters, since not many of them even get History in school anymore...." Read more
"...through the book for the all ages, with the goal of encouraging children to read, understand and live their heritage through these great documents..." Read more
"...This is a must read for young and old!" Read more
"...An interesting and fun novel I recommend, [...]" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2009Glenn Beck has written a 2009 update for Thomas Paine's 1776 Pamphlet that helped the general public understand why a revolution to free the country from British Rule was necessary. The update to Paine's masterpiece "Common Sense" explains why a second, but "bloodless and non-violent" American Revolution is needed. Both major American political parties have betrayed the American Republic. This is a nonpartisan book. The author provides dozens of examples of how and why our forefather's "Checks and Balances" system of government has been deliberately corrupted. He explains why so many citizens are having doubts about the wisdom of our political leaders. He describes the feeling of unease of so many average working Americans who realize that our government is telling us things that just don't make sense. He explains why things that don't work in our own homes, also won't work when practiced by our government. Too many Americans are beginning to examine why they distrust their governments. They are beginning to look at the lies that our politicians have been telling us with a straight face for decades. One obvious example is that every U.S. President since Carter has been telling us they will eliminate America's reliance on foreign oil, but instead we are now a prisoner of those unstable foreign oil producers most of which hate America and in many cases are using our money to fund our enemies as they attack and kill us anyway possible.
A more recent lie is that we will build a fence to protect our southern border. How many years does it take the nation that sent men to the moon to build an 800-mile security fence? Then there are the really big lies our government has told us. Two of them are the biggest Ponzi schemes in the history of the world. One is called Social Security, the second is Medicare. Both of these programs were supposed to be paid for by individual tax contributions that would be put aside in interest bearing accounts and eventually be returned to those who paid the taxes. However, the truth is that the money was not put into one of Al Gore's infamous, but laughable "lock boxes" it was spent by the same politicians who continue to tell us that all is well. They are liars, liars, damned liars and if they worked for private industry they would be headed for "life in prison." The combined unfunded liability of the above-mentioned two Ponzi schemes is already in the 100 Trillion Dollar range not counting interest. The interest on ONLY our current $11 Trillion debt runs about $26 billion per month or $300 billion per year. "That would fully fund the Departments of Commerce ($8.1 billion), Education ($68 Billion), Housing and Urban Development ($52.3 billion), Housing and Urban Development ($52.3 billion), Energy ($23.2 billion), Justice ($25 billion), and Labor ($49.6 billion) for an entire year."
"By 2019, annual interest payments on the national debt will balloon to a projected $806 billion! That $806 billion is more than what it cost us last year to fund the entire Department of Defense ($583 billion), Veterans Affairs ($86.6 billion), the Department of Transportation ($68.7 billion), and the State Department ($18.9 billion)...combined." There is simply no way that the current generation can pay off that debt. There isn't enough value in all of America's corporations and wealthy individuals to even begin to pay off the debt and seizing it would be a one-time event because after that there wouldn't be anything left to seize or anyone to provide jobs. And as the country's credit rating drops, the interest rates will go up, up and away as they say.
Most of our politicians know this, but they are trying to keep it secret or delay the fall until they are out of office. The book points out how the federal government's present plan to quickly spend enough money to solve the economic woes defies the laws of economics as well as the laws of nature. This rapid spending will be incurred before the tax payers realize that every American and his children and grandchildren will never be able to repay it and instead will become serfs of the government and our nation's foreign creditors. The citizens will then all be working for the government instead of visa versa. What our founding father's most feared will have occurred. The Republic they provided us after the American Revolution will, as Ben Franklin feared, have been permanently lost.
This book is crammed full of examples of how both parties caused this problem. The drug bill that was recently passed for Social Security and Medicare recipients has in only three years already run up an additional un-paid bill of nearly $17.2 Trillion Dollars. Our politicians have been using manufactured "crises" to rush through their massive spending cures. As one White House Chief of Staff recently stated, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is it's an opportunity to do things that you could not do before."
Thomas Jefferson wrote that no government should spend the wealth of its next generation. He knew the dangers of debt. He knew how easy it is to spend other people's money. He feared both forms of economic quicksand.
Beck also discusses the importance of private property, which the Constitution guaranteed. One quote from Karl Marx described his system of economics and government as "The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property."
Like Thomas Paine's original pamphlet, this is a call for the average citizen to wake up and save their freedoms and their country. It's time for debate, not political correctness. It's time to challenge junk science and not allow the elitists to shout down the opponents for asking simple basic question or challenging questionable data. It's a time to slow down and exercise some common sense before throwing trillions of borrowed dollars at problems that the government caused. The people need to change the government and that includes a wholesale changes in both parties. The author stresses that our founding fathers set up our government so that the people could change the government without a violent revolution. That is the chief reason that members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years. Mr. Beck fears that by the time the next election occurs, so much money will have been spent that nothing can be done; the nation's credit cards will all be exhausted, forever. We will face bankruptcy, stagflation or hyperinflation or all three. The nation will have been asleep while its freedoms were stolen from within. We will be a nation of serfs working for the King and his royal court in Washington, D.C.
No matter what your personal politics, this book is worth reading because like Thomas Paine's original warnings, this slightly over 100-page volume is intended to have the same effect. If nothing else, it will force the readers to open their eyes, think about what they see and then decide if they feel things are out of control and maybe they should rise up and do something about it while they still can. Voters should ignore party affiliations and only support those fiscally responsible Congressmen and women who want to protect our children and grandchildren from the poor house. Why should we the people turn over to our totally bankrupt government the control of our private banks, automobile industry and most importantly to each of us, our health care? They've already done such a great job with Social Security, Medicare and Veterans Health Care. Should we be giving the bureaucrats the power of life and death over each of us? Will some government zealots look at an individual's political voting history when rationing health care services? None of the incomprehensible-sized spending programs currently being rushed through Congress without debate, transparency, or even being read before they are voted upon, have ever worked anywhere in the world during the entire history of the world. "Common Sense" is a thought provoking, common sense page-turner. It's a call to action for adults. Follow your gut. If something you do doesn't work, it won't work for the government either--no matter what they promise you.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2009Firstly, and I probably don't need to say this, but I will...when looking over the reviews, if they are one star and the comment is about the author and not an honest point of contention with the book, don't waste your time. Also it's very enlightening to look at folk's "other reviews".
Now Glenn's book it's probably an eye opener if you are open minded and have not been watching what's been going on in this country for some time now. So I'll rate it high as it is worthy in that respect. However, if you are somewhat like I am, and an independent voter and I consider myself a free thinker, there is not a lot of revelation here, but it is - to be somewhat pun-ish - "Common Sense."
I could write a book three times that size from what I've learned in my nearly 70 years on this planet, but no one would buy it as I'm just an unknown. But I've witnessed an America that has gone far adrift from the intentions of the founders and at an ever accelerating rate and I can't point it all out without that book I haven't written, so I suggest you read not only Glenn's "Common Sense" but also read Paine's version, which is available here on Amazon and cheap. It's not a long book, but the reading is a bit tougher than Glenn's. You might read Paine's "Rights of Man" as well or his collective publishings before you pan Glenn's book and please show some intellectual reasoning besides "Garbage", "Don't Bother" or something like "Glenn is a Jerk".
There is a movement in Vermont to secede. Personally I'd prefer a massive recall election, limit terms, take away all or most their perks, no bills over 30 pages, no pork, no earmarks, a Red Book ala Canada so we can see what they do up there, and for anyone in power who abuses it, double the penalties. Revoke all bench legislation to put that branch in it's place and put the fear of God (even if they don't believe) in politicians, instead of us fearing them, and obey ALL LAWS of the country or change them "honestly"...and that's just for starters.
I'll give just one more small rant and then stop. Healthcare. No one is addressing the root problem. Lawsuits!! Health care, like a driver's license, is not a right. If you want to be helped you agree with a doctor that you want help. He tells you what could go wrong and you agree to a reasonable settlement if it does go wrong, or you elect to not get help. Doctors need a Red Book too...if you are a hack Dr., well...find another profession. Remember...when lawyers sue any big company, the company doesn't pay to make the damaged party or lawyers rich, YOU AND I DO through increased costs of everything those companies produce. If pharmaceutical companies or Dr.s deliberately lie and you die or are injured then jail and lawsuits are in order...punitive damages go to defer our taxes, not to fatten pocketbooks.
If you've got a better "workable" plan, let's hear it. OR, if you are like some of the "intellectual" commentators here, I'll expect you'll call me a name...but don't' worry...whatever you come up with I've heard it before. And maybe you should actually READ Glenn's book.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2024Item as described, arrived on time
Top reviews from other countries
Len ParkerReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 20185.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Good book.
Moufette1973Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 20145.0 out of 5 stars Sensible book and a good read.
I have always believed that a lack of common sense is what is wrong with the government and people today.
Sensible book and a good read.
R. J. HarwoodReviewed in Canada on November 20, 20095.0 out of 5 stars Telling "IT" like it is !
This is a "MUST" read !
An eye opener well written. Thanks Glenn !
Nik AllonbyReviewed in Canada on November 13, 20164.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Awesome!
Rachael HBReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 20163.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
It was vaguely interesting but not good value for money.



