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Common Sense

Thomas Paine

Start date: February 1, 2019

Finish date: February 28, 2019

Discussion: Short Story/Novella Collection

Why we're reading this: February 2019 Short Story Read
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What Members Thought

Feb 05, 2022 Richard Subber rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

When I re-read a classic, I try to prepare myself for a couple “aha!” moments and one or two “uh oh!” moments.
I wasn’t disappointed in reading Common Sense this time.
Paine first published (anonymously) his 47-page “pamphlet” on January 10, 1776, after the shooting at Lexington-Concord and before the Declaration of Independence was approved.
Of course, everyone knows Paine argued for “independance” (his 18th century spelling).
This time around, it’s of interest to me to note that Paine very careful ...more

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Aug 05, 2009 Christy B rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, non-fiction, american-history

Hearing about Thomas Paine's Common Sense throughout the years, I always wondered how so small a book could help ignite the flames of independence and war. I get it now!

I love how he kept expressing how the time was NOW to go for independence. Earlier or later would have proved fruitless.

This was the right man at the right time saying the right things. ...more

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Nov 04, 2017 Andreea rated it liked it

"A government which cannot preserve the peace, is no government at all [..]"

It was surprisingly easy to follow, although I should've expected this because it's a political pamphlet meant to inspire people and a movement, right?

I especially enjoyed the beginning about the government, and also the ending parts that were published as a response to a religious group using Bible passages to make their arguments when it was beneficial for them, but completely ignoring those sayings for some of their ...more

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