Common Sense
by Thomas Paine
'Common Sense' Summary
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”.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1776Author
Thomas Paine
English, American
Thomas Paine (born Thomas Pain; February 9, 1737– June 8, 1809) was an English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. He authored Common Sense (177...
More on Thomas PaineDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
The American Crisis by Thomas Paine
A 13 pamphlet series by 18th century Enlightenment philosopher/author Thomas Paine, published between 1776 to 1783 during and immediately following th...
A Jewish State by Theodor Herzl
Der Judenstaat (German, literally The State of the Jews, commonly rendered as The Jewish State) is a pamphlet written by Theodor Herzl and published i...
Third Class in Indian Railways by Mohandas Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 – 1948) was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was t...
The Political History of France, 1789-1910 by Muriel O. Davis
This little book opens on the eve of the French Revolution. The government is crippled by financial mismanagement, ruled by a King who, in the author'...
The Chronicles of America Volume 12 - Washington and his Comrades in Arms by George Wrong
Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of the American Revolution, as "Washington and his Comrades in Arms," Volume 12 of "The Chronicles of A...
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 02 by Charles F. Horne
Embark on a riveting journey through the annals of time with "The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 02" curated by Charles F. Horne. This extr...
The Chronicles of America Volume 11 - Eve of the Revolution by Carl L. Becker
Step into the tense and dramatic atmosphere of pre-Revolution America in "Eve of the Revolution," Volume 11 of "The Chronicles of America" series, as...
American History Stories, Volume 1 by Mara L. Pratt
A children's book detailing early American history from the Norsemen to the Revolution, meant for educational use.
What Shall We Do? by Leo Tolstoy
What Is to Be Done? Burning Questions of Our Movement is a political pamphlet written by Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin (credited as N. Lenin) i...
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 06 by Charles F. Horne
Embark on an exhilarating expedition through the annals of time with "The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 06," a spellbinding anthology cura...
Reviews for Common Sense
No reviews posted or approved, yet...