I usually admire Colonel Roosevelt, but he missed the mark with his blistering assessment of the author of this brief, world-changing, history-making book. COMMON SENSE is master propagandist Thomas Paine's (1736-1809) compelling argument for American independence. Anyone who wants to understand the true intent of the Founders must read Paine.
Paine had previously written in defense of tax collectors (while still in Britain) and his writings had impressed Benjamin Franklin. Published in February 1776, COMMON SENSE sold over 500,000 copies in the Colonies (out of a free population of two-and-a-half million), and was republished throughout Europe. Paine's writings created the necessary groundswell for the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
In clear, concise and simple language COMMON SENSE begins with a general reflection about government and religion. It then progresses onto the specifics of the colonial situation.
Paine draws a strong distinction between Government and Society. In Paine's view, "Society" is everything constructive that people work together to accomplish, while "Government" is a structure designed specifically to protect human beings from ourselves. Government arises because of human evil; therefore Government is itself a necessary evil. According to Paine, Government exists to protect life, liberty and property. A successful Government accomplishes these ends, and no others.
Paine states that a people constrained by Government will be far more satisfied if they themselves are responsible for the creation of the laws that their Government enforces, thus endorsing a form of representative Government in America.
Paine has no truck with the British system of Government, or of Monarchy in any form, which he says is an unnatural relation between inherent equals.
Paine then sets out the details of his view of the American situation. Paine points out that the American Colonies have evolved into an independent political and economic association that no longer needs Britain's protection or Britain's exploitation. Paine points out that Britain has been suppressing the Colonies rather than encouraging their growth, even for the Mother Country's own benefit. Such abuses make Great Britain undeserving of American loyalty. Paine further argues that it is necessary to seek independence immediately, since the problems that exist between Britain and her Colonies are endemic, and unresolvable. Simply put, America has matured beyond Colonialism.
Paine was a hero of the American Revolution. He wrote an ongoing publication "American Crisis" during the Revolutionary War, but has become a "Forgotten Founding Father." A better theorist than a pragmatist, Paine was a strong-willed and opinionated man who alienated many former friends. A true revolutionary rather than a politician, unlamented he left America for France. He was marked for death a number of times during The Terror, but managed to escape by claiming American citizenship. After fleeing Paris, he went back to England for a time. Considered a rabble-rouser by the British for his association with the Irish patriot Wolfe Tone he returned to America again. He was this nation's first true internationalist. By the early 1800s however, Paine's writings, particularly his Deist writings, had alienated the growing Christian Fundamentalist movement of The Second Great Awakening, and he was treated with derision. Thus, when "Citizen Tom Paine" died in New York, it was in near obscurity.
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Just read this!
This is one of my favorite publications from the pre-revolution American era and this is a nice little edition of it. This is NOT a large book but it's just the right size for how many words are in it. It's about 6 inches tall and a hand wide and less than a half inch thick but, it is an attractive leather binding. It's a nice little book to have around for display or reference. Paine would tell ya, "it is what it is" but we can always make it better if we try. ;)~ Edit: 10/12/21: added photo and grammar
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2011
Top reviews from other countries
- Alistair HaycockReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2015
eloquent, persuasive revolutionary
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Carlos Rodriguez GarciaReviewed in Spain on June 16, 2016
Common Sense (Inglés) Tapa blanda – 28 may 2013
