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Summary: Wonderful, read it!
Review: This book is an absolute classic of politcal philosophy. Its a quick read and very interesting. You should read this book, period!
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Summary: THE book behind the US as we know it.
Review: This book simply has to be read. And carefully: then it becomes apparent that the work started around 1776 has not in fact been finished, and it perhaps can never be finished. The tyranny and arrogance of the British Government then is now replaced by tyranny and arrogance of the communistically oriented governments in the US itself. This work may now be more actual than ever since the 18th century. By the way, perhaps no author had ever so much slander levelled against him as had Thomas Paine. There is no need to add to that, as a poster here had done. That eg. "the great" Ted Roosevelt found it fit to lie regarding Paine does not absolve us of responsibility of tracing the actual facts. Paine had been reported as "one of the most pleasant companions I have met with for an old man" by a roommate, at the time when he had all the reasons to be bitter towards humanity, which had for the most part betrayed him. Please read Thomas Paine, and read carefully.
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Summary: The rule of law!
Review: This book, i.e, Common Sense by Thomas Paine, should be required reading for everyone. Not only does he, Mr. Paine, present the tyranny of the English Monarchy: but he presents the important notion that a country can not survive without the rule of law. The President should be forced to read this book to better understand that witout the rule of law, one can not have a working republic.
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Summary: Required reading.
Review: This is one of those books that almost anyone who's grown up in this country has heard of, but not very many have actually read. If this applies to you, given that it's available from Dover Thrift Editions for a buck and a half, there's no reason not to rectify that situation. It's essential to an understanding of the thought that formed our country.That having been said, it's not as enjoyable a read as I'd hoped it would be; it's good, but I'd expected better. Some of Paine's points are spot-on undeniable; his arguments against a hereditary monarchy can't be refuted. But some of his claims are less clearly true, and like political polemicists of all ages, he gives no respect to opposing arguments, even when there is a legitimate cause for debate. Further, his political theory is naive and childish in places; he describes a hypothetical situation in which a small group is stranded on an island, with no established society or government, and claims that said group will obviously, by nature, develop a democratic government. This would be true, if one assumed that all members of the group had similar backgrounds and abilities, perhaps, but far more likely, they would find themselves led in short order by the (ideally) most competent member of the group, or (more likely) by the strongest or most persuasive.That this would be true even now is probable, even with the socialization we've all had in democratic principles. At the time he was writing, it would have been even more certain, given that people were NOT accustomed to assuming a democracy. Still, one can quibble over details in his arguments, without failing to acknowledge that reading Paine is essential for any student of American history. No one can claim to understand our country's formation without having read this short book.
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Summary: To arms!
Review: This little book changed the world. This alone makes it worth reading, but I am always thrilled to read the wisdom of Thomas Paine. Essentially an argument that the concept of British rule over the colonies was irrational and immoral as well as a statement of conviction that at the time of the publication of the work America was ready to rise up against the Brits. Paine's writing is smooth and his logic is undeniable. Read this and understand what united the colonists and led to the achievement of the first nation to result from the great thinkers of the Enlightenment.
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Summary: An Important Piece of Revolutionary Literature
Review: This little pamphlet isn't the most important piece of Revolutionary literature. It does, however, capture the flavor and feel of the revolutionary sentiment in the colonies. It was a popular piece of literature, and helped fuel this feeling as well. Its assault on the English monarchy and the possibility of a reconciliation are telling. Adding to this is the temerity of the author: that America could win in a war with Great Britain was seen as unlikely, no matter what the author said, and by publishing this tract he committed treason against the Crown, punishable by death.
This edition is good, although there is not much to differentiate it from most. It is cheap, attractive, and easy to read, and an effort was made to keep with the original italics, capitalization, and spelling.
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Summary: An Interesting Look At The Opinions Of The Past
Review: This Review refers to the paperback edition of Common Sense (Dover Thrift Editions), composed by Thomas Paine. Many consider Paine's Common Sense to be a great American document, an opinion developed even at its original publication. The Dover Thrift Edition contains the third edition of the original pamphlet, including two brief segments that follow it. Paine's work was meant to stir up the American colonists and serves as one of the earliest examples of American propaganda. It first explains the author's impressions of the founding of types of governments, and why monarchy in particular is wrong, after which he proceeds to discuss reasons why the American colonies should break away from British control. The last topic he goes into is the ability of the colonies to gain their independence and some possible guidelines as to how the new government could form. The segments following Common Sense are a brief patriotic rambling and an attack against a Quaker who published a pamphlet supporting the king. Also included is a high praising introduction preceding the work. Paine's work is a rather stirring one, which, at the time, would have given rise to the inward feelings of independence undoubtedly felt by many of the colonists. It does an admirable job of what it was intended to do. The ideas provided on how a government should reach creation are interesting, and are, undoubtedly, some of the ideals that the original government based itself. However, there are discrepancies and exaggerations in the said work and the reader should tread lightly. The literary style presented by Paine is one of contradictory tones and unrestrained enthusiasm. The author does not appear to consider all the consequences relating to the subject of independence. However, he also brings many considerations to light, compelling the reader to think about the consequences of government and governmental practices. The literary style presented after Common Sense contains underlying tones of anger and reiterates many of the statements presented in the preceding selection. Common Sense is an interesting look at the opinions of the colonists at the time of the revolution, and should be required reading for those interested in the said era. Though the literary style is lacking, it still presents an interesting argument in, rather appealing, old English. Overall, Common Sense is a good work and presents what the founders of modern America were attempting to accomplish, as well as how they intended to accomplish it.
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Summary: A True Patriot
Review: This work of Thomas Paine is at the least a Masterpiece and a very important part of the history of the world. The fury and passion of this work (and his others), are awe inspiring. Hes truly one of the greatest figures in American and World History, and this work inspired men and women under the rule of a King to rise up and form the greatest nation to ever bless the Earth.
Rating:
Summary: A True Patriot
Review: This work of Thomas Paine is at the least a Masterpiece and a very important part of the history of the world. The fury and passion of this work (and his others), are awe inspiring. Hes truly one of the greatest figures in American and World History, and this work inspired men and women under the rule of a King to rise up and form the greatest nation to ever bless the Earth.
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Summary: uncommon prose
Review: Thomas Paine declared, "In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense...."
And with those words he lit a flame that burns to this day: the United States.
In Common Sense, he combines gumption and perspicuity as he introduces his origin of government and society; and ends with a call for the immediate declaration of independence by the colonists.
He also delivers a biblical rebuke of monarchies, which to me was the most engaging part of the book.
Paine has an eye for detail, with a command of English history. These gifts, as well as fervor for his cause, cover up his ignorance of the specific grievances of the colonists.
Moreover, ON THE PRESENT ABILITY OF AMERICA, he gets obtuse and is bogged down in detail about the Navy's strength.
Nevertheless, even with these minor imperfections, Common Sense is a gem whose value is increased by its impurities.
A history of America is incomplete without Paine's magnum opus.
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