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Common Sense, The Rights of Man and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine (Signet Classics) |  | Author: Thomas Paine
Creators: Sidney Hook, Jr., Jack Fruchtman
Publisher: Signet Classics
Category: Book
List Price: $6.95
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Seller: zp_books
Rating:  57 reviews
Sales Rank: 1592
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 416
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.1
ISBN: 0451528891
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.011
EAN: 9780451528896
ASIN: 0451528891
Publication Date: July 1, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| • | ISBN13: 9780451528896 | | • | Condition: NEW | | • | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
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Product Description
Paine's daring prose paved the way for the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. This volume also includes "The Crisis," "The Age of Reason," and "Agrarian Justice."
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 57
Enlightening, Revolutionary, and Worth a Read November 13, 2006
R. DelParto (Virginia Beach, VA USA)
110 out of 113 found this review helpful
In an unrelenting quest to understanding the history of the United States, one obscure name comes to mind, Thomas Paine. Paine helped establish the meaning of democracy and the "united" in United States. His two monumental works, COMMON SENSE AND RIGHTS OF MAN, provided the philosophical and rhetorical building blocks that the founding fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, et al., would emulate with the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Many take for granted the origins of freedom and democracy in the United States, and as with many school history textbooks depict, Paine merely appears in a paragraph or two, and quickly disappears to historical oblivion.
Nevertheless, when one reads COMMON SENSE AND RIGHTS OF MAN: AND OTHER ESSENTIAL WRITINGS OF THOMAS PAINE, there will be no doubt how significant his philosophical and political writings transformed the political structure of the colonies. Although this may sound somewhat romanticized, Paine's words ignited the energy for the colonists to free themselves from the tyrannical-monarchical leadership of England's King George III. With all the talk of Paine being a founding father, he may also be considered the father of revolution, American Revolution and French Revolution, and human rights. Without the inspiration from his friend Edmund Burke, author of REFLECTIONS ON THE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE, Paine may not have been able to write the pamphlet Rights of Man. Indeed, his power of the written word translated to revolutionary action, and Jeffersonian ideology.
In clear and no nonsense language, Paine's perspective of the state of the colonies are elaborately told in COMMON SENSE. He adamantly shows his opposition toward hereditary rule and limitations imposed on individuals by George III and his vehement disdain towards aristocrats and kings. For RIGHTS OF MAN, he proposed possible solutions toward poverty, and created a blueprint towards achieving social and political institutions through his written abstracts. The other essential writings include the pamphlets, THE CRISIS, part one of THE AGE OF REASON, and selections of AGRARIAN JUSTICE. These writings gives readers an idea the political and religious atmosphere in which Paine lived, and how "breaking ties" with the so-called "motherland" was necessary towards forging a free nation.
COMMON SENSE AND RIGHTS OF MAN is indeed accessible with its pocketbook size form. After reading the book, readers may have a better understanding of what it takes to build a nation. Paine's words are lessons of history and humanity, and is definitely recommendable reading.
Paine's common sense March 20, 2000
benny (Canada)
67 out of 71 found this review helpful
Thomas Paine's clear and concise writings make him one of the greatest political authors of his time. Basic thoughts of freedom and democracy, that seem so common place nowadays, were brought about because of Paines "radical" ideas. His books Common Sense and The Rights of Man were written not just for the political philosopher but also for the common man. Both the aforementioned books played a big part in the American and French Revolutions.
Must-read for anyone seriously interested in American history January 22, 2007
Maria Folsom (East Glacier Park, Montana USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is what we're founded on, what America is supposed to be, and the way we should conduct our political affairs. Paine should probably be required reading for every citizen, every student, anyone wondering what freedom really means. Besides being informative, it is incisive, sarcastic, humorous, and passionate. The English is old and dated, but that just adds to its delight. I read this in short segments and then thought about each chapter. It made me proud to be an American and sad to realize how much freedom we've lost since Paine's day.
One of America's Most Misunderstood Founders..... October 11, 2001
87 out of 116 found this review helpful
... Thomas Paine is one of our Nation's most misunderstood Founders. 'The Rights of Man,' contrary to public misunderstanding (usually by those who have not read it in it's entirety), bears out that Paine in fact *did* believe in a Divine entity, quoted directly from the Bible throughout the Essay, and had a near-encyclopedic understanding of the New Testament. His criticisms were of organized religion and how *men* had used it to corrupt the very idea of an afterlife and the ideas of faith. The publication of "Common Sense," most forget, was one of the most important causes of the American Revolution. Often derided even in his own time, Paine reminds us that those who speak ideas that cause painful debate are at the heart of our Nation's Ideals.
Common Sense not so common May 18, 2009
Jamie M. Babcock (Dallas, OR)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Everyone in America should have this book read, and shared with their children. Truly, a book for the ages.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 57
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