Common Sense Thomas Paine 9781542580861 Books
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Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. Written in clear and persuasive prose, Paine marshaled moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for egalitarian government. 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. 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. As of 2006, it remains the all-time best selling American title, and is still in print today. Common Sense made public a persuasive and impassioned case for independence, which before the pamphlet had not yet been given serious intellectual consideration. He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity, structuring Common Sense as if it were a sermon. Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era". The text was translated into French by Antoine Gilbert Griffet de Labaume in 1790.
Common Sense Thomas Paine 9781542580861 Books
I'm assuming that if one is looking at reviews of the Age of Reason, they already know what it is about, and are looking for information about whether *this* edition is a worthy candidate. So, let me say right up front: yes, it is. :-) This is an excellent version of this classic.Some may not know that Thomas Paine wrote at least part of the Age of Reason while in prison, imprisoned in France by the French revolutionaries. It is thought by some that he only escaped being executed because of a clerical error (the cell door sign marking him as bound for the guillotine being misplaced); he was released after James Monroe pulled some strings for him.
Paine was a deist, and did not observe a particular doctrine or align himself with a particular church (the dictionary defines 'deist' as "A deist believes there is a God who created all things, but does not believe in His superintendence and government."). In the Age of Reason Paine makes the case *against* organized religion, and even the bible, arguing for a more rational explanation for the order of things, while still acknowledging the existence of a creator.
For example, he says "The most extraordinary of all the things called miracles, related in the New Testament, is that of the devil flying away with Jesus Christ, and carrying him to the top of a high mountain, and to the top of the highest pinnacle of the temple, and showing him and promising to him all the kingdoms of the World. How happened it that he did not discover America, or is it only with kingdoms that his sooty highness has any interest?"
Words sure to get the religious powers that were in a knot!
In our current age, of unreasonableness to the extreme, especially religious unreasonableness and intolerance, we definitely need a bit more reason. The Age of Reason is as timely today as it was back when it was first released.
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Tags : Common Sense [Thomas Paine] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. Written in clear and persuasive prose,Thomas Paine,Common Sense,CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,1542580862,General,LITERARY COLLECTIONS General,Literary Collections,Literature: Classics
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Common Sense Thomas Paine 9781542580861 Books Reviews
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 . How can you say no to giving it a try?
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.
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.
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!
I'm assuming that if one is looking at reviews of the Age of Reason, they already know what it is about, and are looking for information about whether *this* edition is a worthy candidate. So, let me say right up front yes, it is. -) This is an excellent version of this classic.
Some may not know that Thomas Paine wrote at least part of the Age of Reason while in prison, imprisoned in France by the French revolutionaries. It is thought by some that he only escaped being executed because of a clerical error (the cell door sign marking him as bound for the guillotine being misplaced); he was released after James Monroe pulled some strings for him.
Paine was a deist, and did not observe a particular doctrine or align himself with a particular church (the dictionary defines 'deist' as "A deist believes there is a God who created all things, but does not believe in His superintendence and government."). In the Age of Reason Paine makes the case *against* organized religion, and even the bible, arguing for a more rational explanation for the order of things, while still acknowledging the existence of a creator.
For example, he says "The most extraordinary of all the things called miracles, related in the New Testament, is that of the devil flying away with Jesus Christ, and carrying him to the top of a high mountain, and to the top of the highest pinnacle of the temple, and showing him and promising to him all the kingdoms of the World. How happened it that he did not discover America, or is it only with kingdoms that his sooty highness has any interest?"
Words sure to get the religious powers that were in a knot!
In our current age, of unreasonableness to the extreme, especially religious unreasonableness and intolerance, we definitely need a bit more reason. The Age of Reason is as timely today as it was back when it was first released.
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