Common Sense Review
This book is a classic for a reason; the man behind it is virulent in his message, and yet keeps it focused and steady on his purpose.
"Common Sense" tells what Americans these days truly do consider to be common sense, but in the times of Imperialism and vulgar displays of power, would have been outrageous.
The sheer language and brute honesty Thomas Paine uses I think takes a load of courage and stubborn defiance to put to word, as it not only targets and properly bashes England, but takes several justified shots at virtually every great nation and civilization in Human history.
He tells a story from the Bible of Gideon, who the people of Israel beg for him to be their king, and he refuses, for he (and Thomas Paine) consider that any king that is not God is a fraud and a blasphemer, for there can be no king but God.
This is the message Paine brutally and viciously puts to task in the next several pages, where he tells of how a monarchy is inherently corrupt, and subject to the whims and brutality of the king. He gives some startling, if uncited, examples of how the KINGDOMS of France and England and Spain had been in almost non-stop war back and forth with one another, and yet other European Republics have enjoyed decades of peace.
Paine clearly attempts to associate that monarchies lead to a state of near total war, as the King wants what the King wants, and the King uses the people and their lives and money to get it. Paine even targets the Papacy for this practice.
He then goes about establishing what is ideal about a representative system of government which we would end up adopting for our nation today, and how best it would be to endow our nation with power that never broaches the level of kingdom.
Even after 200+ years of change in language, the literature of the book/pamphlet is nowhere near the dense and flowery literature of a Shakespeare or the like, and his metaphors are vivid and relatable. He speaks with a common tongue that can be understood by virtually anyone in his time, and by many people in this time, though unfortunately I cannot imagine certain people of lesser intelligence being able to grasp it all without help.
The only real problem I have may be a problem of the edition published (Big Fish Publishing Inc January 27, 2006) or perhaps it was how it was originally written, for wont of italics, but a great many instances in Paine's text contains words that are fully capitalized. In most cases, this makes sense as the words capitalized are intended to be strongly emphasized. However, in some cases, it's either excessive (as in capitalizing every line of dialogue he paraphrases from the Bible), or just plain incoherent that it turns out sounding like he SCREAMS certain words at random that have no real need or business being particularly emphasized.
It seems obvious enough to us now, but the ideas put forth by Thomas Paine in this book are truly revolutionary, and to do so in a climate where open war has pretty much begun, published first in January 1776.
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Customer Reviews
Good reading - Bernadette E. Cardey - Riverside, CA
I am studying the History of the Revolution and this book was a great read.
Clarity during an unclear time in America - Tactical Tradecraft - Arizona
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine in 1776. In this short book he clearly and concisely provides his reasoning for America to break from Britain.
Chapter 1:
Paine begins with the origin and design of governments. In other words, how and why governments are formed. He then moves on to explain the complexities of the English constitution. Paine states:
"There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the world, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly; wherefore the different parts, by unnaturally opposing and destroying each other, prove the whole character to be absurd and useless." I can only imagine the reaction of the King upon reading such words.
Chapter 2:
This chapter discusses the role of monarchy and hereditary succession which Paine is clearly not a proponent of either. Hereditary succession means that one day the country can be ruled by someone unfit to rule...a king who is a rogue or a fool. Also, there is the chance that the throne is subject to be possessed by a minor. According to Paine, "The public becomes the prey to every miscreant, who can tamper successfully with the follies either of age or infancy."
Chapter 3:
In this chapter Paine vehemently opposes Great Britain having any governmental control or connection to America. He states, "To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which, when obtained, requires five or six more to explain it, will in a few years be looked upon as a folly and childishness - there was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease."
Paine also states, "America is only a secondary object in the system of British politics - England consults the good of this country no further than it answers her own purpose. Wherefore, her own interest leads her to suppress the growth of ours in every case which doth not promote her advantage, or in the least interferes with it."
Chapter 4:
Paine talks about the ability of America and the importance of having a Navy which will not only protect the country but will provide jobs. Paine states that America can produce what it needs and to rely on Britain is not to be a reliable option. Paine is adamant that the current time to break from Great Britain was now and that no better an opportunity will present itself in the future.
In Common Sense, Paine provides a good argument for America to break from Britain and their form of government which he views as completely ineffective. Common Sense is well written and very clearly expresses Paine's thoughts. I recommend this book.
Common Sense - David E. Hood - Hertford. NC.
ALTHOUGH THIS BOOK WAS A LITTLE HARD TO UNDERSTAND , BECAUSE IT WAS WRITTEN SO MANY YEARS AGO . I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH AND I WISH WE HAD MORE PEOPLE LIKE THOMAS PAINE TODAY AND LESS LIKE OBAMA THE COWARD.
DAVID HOOD
This Is The Libertarian Bible - V. -
This book exemplifies what personal freedom and liberty is all about. Even though it was written over 200 years ago, it is still relevant to today's society and the way the U.S. Government (Congress) plays in its role. It's still "WE THE PEOPLE", right? The problem is both the Democrapic and Republican't parties only care about what is best for their own political agendas and respected party affiliation, not what is beneficial to the citizens of the nation or the nation itself. This book has taught me to be more of an independent and freethinker, and less of a conformist to government/religion that imposes unnecessary regulations and restrictions that limit 'responsible' personal freedom. The United States was founded upon the principles of Libertarianism (thanks to guys like Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine), and that is the way ALL true Americans should live and dominate their lives, especially in this day and age. Don't succumb to the government or any other form of hierarchy governing over you. Govern Yourself. Now that's real common sense.
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