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Common Sense, The Rights of Man and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine (Signet Classics) Mass Market Paperback – July 1, 2003

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

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A volume of Thomas Paine's most essential works, showcasing one of American history's most eloquent proponents of democracy.

Upon publication, Thomas Paine’s modest pamphlet Common Sense shocked and spurred the foundling American colonies of 1776 to action. It demanded freedom from Britain—when even the most fervent patriots were only advocating tax reform. Paine’s daring prose paved the way for the Declaration of Independence and, consequently, the Revolutionary War. For “without the pen of Paine,” as John Adams said, “the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain.”

Later, his impassioned defense of the French Revolution, Rights of Man, caused a worldwide sensation. Napoleon, for one, claimed to have slept with a copy under his pillow, recommending that “a statue of gold should be erected to [Paine] in every city in the universe.”

Here in one volume, these two complete works are joined with selections from Pain's other major essays, “The Crisis,” “The Age of Reason,” and “Agrarian Justice.”

Includes a Foreword by Jack Fruchtman Jr.
and an Introduction by Sidney Hook

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“Without...Paine, the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain.”—John Adams

About the Author

Thomas Paine was born in England in 1737 and worked as a schoolteacher, storekeeper, and customs inspector before moving to Philadelphia in 1774. He quickly acquired a reputation as a journalist and published his hugely successful and influential pamphlet Common Sense in 1776. The Crisis, written when Paine was a soldier in the darkest days of the revolution—with its famous opening words, “These are the times that try men’s souls”—called for perseverance and prevented Washington’s army from disintegrating. To honor him for defending the French Revolution in Rights of Man, France made him a citizen and elected him to their constitutional convention. He died in 1809.

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Signet (July 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451528891
ISBN-13: 978-0451528896
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 1,482 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #397,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #308 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Radicalism
- #1255 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Commentary & Opinion
- #1302 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Political

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William Brennan

Uncommon Sense

July 18, 2010

Format: Kindle EditionVerified 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?

386 people found this helpful387 people found this helpful

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Tom Z.

History as written

September 7, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Many of us have historical and political perspectives that an overwhelming majority of the colonists were in favor of breaking the tie with Great Britain. Common Sense shows us that this was not true. Thomas Paine's arguments to break from the King of England were based on common sense. These were presented in a pamphlet that was read by a majority of the adult colonists. His logical reasoning was considered the gold standard of reasons for breaking from Great Britain when we did. A must reading if only to understand history from an author of the day instead of from our ivory towers of today.

8 people found this helpful9 people found this helpful

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DataJanitor

Very Good free version

February 15, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This free version of this important document from American history contains only a few typographical errors. The pages are well formatted.

Of course, the content is exceptional. It details the argument for independence from Britain, while giving insight into the historical context.

I first read this over fifty years ago. My appreciation for it has grown now that I am older than its author at the time. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

9 people found this helpful10 people found this helpful

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Bookworm

A Review of Why We Fought For Freedom From British Rule

October 11, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I decided to re-read this book in light of the disgust I feeling towards our present political system! I watched the debates, all 3 of them, and at this point, I believe that we have reverted right back to 1775 when it comes right down to it! We no longer are subject to the whims of a King, but, we are certainly being ruled by the Aristocracy in this country. We need to be reminded that when we fought for our independence, we claimed that GOD would be our only king! Not money, not the rich, not the powerful, not the bullies, not the evil ones! We need to sit and reflect on the reasons we fought to be free!

9 people found this helpful10 people found this helpful

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Tom Fenton

Poorly edited version of a classic author's writings

December 10, 2010

Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase

Thomas Paine is essential reading to anyone who wants to understand American History. However, this particular edition, presented by Signet Classics, is the most disappointing presentation of any classic I have ever seen. While "Common Sense" appears to be presented in its entirety, "The American Crisis" (aka simply "The Crisis") is not. Parts 2, 6, and 9-12 are omitted entirely, and parts 3, 4, 7 & 8 are presented with only "selections". I don't know about any other readers, but this is extremely annoying to me. It is almost as annoying as when Readers Digest decided to present an edited version of The Bible, omitting sections they felt were unimportant because they were duplicates of other sections. I certainly do not equate the writings of Thomas Paine with those of the Bible, but the principle is the same: I do not want someone omitting sections that the author, whether it is God or Thomas Paine, felt should be part of what he had to say. I am reading "The Crisis" presented in a library copy edited by Eric Foner and am looking for an edition of my own. If you want to just hit the highlights of Paine's work, then the Signet edition may be for you. If you want to read Thomas Paine as he spoke to America, Britain and the world, don't waste your money on this edition.

110 people found this helpful111 people found this helpful

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Victor J. Taberski

A good primer on early America political thought

December 22, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It might seem odd to say, but this book has the best criticism of Monarchism that I've ever read. Monarchism is one of those political philosophies that many people do not tend to encounter regularly, so they do not have a good grasp of the arguments against it, on that basis alone this book is worth reading.

I think that for any American common sense it is a good book to read as it is a good primer on early America political thought. I have given this 4 stars in lieu of 5 on account of the "appendices". To my understanding the appendices were added in later additions as responses to some criticisms which had arisen. There is nothing wrong with the appendices per se but they are not nearly as punchy or poignant as the rest of the work, I appreciate their including but I think they did bring down the overall polish of the work somewhat.

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