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Common Sense Audiobook
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(3.96) - 23 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
"When my country, into which I had just set foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir," wrote Paine. This pamphlet, which he had published in 1776, put into print the word every man was thinking but no man dared say: Independence! It captured the imagination of the colonists as no other document had.
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"While on a church mission a brother Bellardi challenged me to read this by age 23 I believe. Well, I didn't complete that request until I was 34 but I am very glad I did read it. What a great document that was circulating among the colonists. This work of Thomas Paine was a huge contributor to the colonists understanding what and why they should/would fight for a free and independent nation. Works like this make me proud of our constitution and leaves me longing for more leaders to help us preserve and uphold it."
— Damon (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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No writer has exceeded Paine in ease and familiarity of style; in perspicuity of expression, happiness of elucidation, and in simple, unassuming language.
— -Thomas Jefferson
Common Sense Listener Reviews
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" Great look into man, government and his society. I think our government today should re-read this to serve as a reminder "
— Michelle, 2/11/2014 -
" I felt the first part of this book, which is the original pamphlet Common Sense, was a good read. The appendix and the additional "Agrarian Justice" was confusing because the articles and speeches Thomas Paine was commenting about are not included, making it difficult to follow what the argument is about. "
— Celeste, 2/9/2014 -
" It's not as common as you'd like. "
— Holly, 1/28/2014 -
" Exactly as the title describes, a common sense view on the purpose of government, the problems with monarchies, and the reason why rebellion against England was justified. I would add this to the list of must reads. "
— Stan, 1/27/2014 -
" I'm read this for extra credit for my Civics class because I've always wanted to read it and discover further views of the colonists during the Revolution.Thomas Paine was a very insightful man who knew exactly what he was talking about! He mainly talks about England's rule and how it was not a good thing at all to have them ruling over us. He brought up very good reasons for his thoughts. I liked it a lot! "
— Korrin, 1/26/2014 -
" This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the mindset of the American Patriot at the beginning of our nation's founding. It also gives insight into what principles our nation was founded on at the time. I found some rather "interesting" opinions by Paine that get glossed over in today's PC world. "
— Keithconnor1, 1/23/2014 -
" Boring :-( Dude, get over the issue of Kings. I love King Arthur!!! "
— Kacper, 1/8/2014 -
" I love that these ideas are still very forward thinking and logical for our country today. "
— Rhonda, 1/5/2014 -
" From a philosophical view point, this book is an interesting perspective and makes you think. Very well written in my opinion, passionate, and witty. I read this for my economics class and enjoyed not only his point of view, but also his style of writing. "
— Tally, 12/15/2013 -
" Still works today "
— Jimmie, 12/14/2013 -
" I didn't agree with everything, but it was definitely an interesting read. "
— Shawn, 12/6/2013 -
" Just started it. I've been wanting to read it for a long time. "
— Sher, 12/6/2013 -
" I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. Still, I'm glad I satisfied my curiosity and got through it. "
— Bridget, 12/2/2013 -
" Very important and relevant. "
— Anna, 11/7/2013 -
" Using this for an APUSH utopia paper. "
— Anna, 7/11/2013 -
" Fantastic read! This book is full of good stuff. "
— Ellis, 2/4/2013 -
" It's funny how a lot of the arguments in this book mirror the discussions of the current anti-government group. Without going into politics of that subject, I believe there is value beyond historical perspective in reading this book today. "
— Craig, 11/24/2012 -
" Far more Rousseau and natural law than I expected. He uses the old testament in an argument against the monarchy. Interesting given his later religious skepticism. "
— Cfguthrie, 8/30/2012 -
" So much still rings true today. Pretty amazing to have a perspective that can carry through the centuries like that. "
— Katie, 7/23/2012 -
" A must read for every person anywhere. "
— Karen, 6/8/2012 -
" I had read this book in the past, but it means so much more now that I have served my country. Reading this book at the same time as Second Treatise of Government by John Locke has also opened new doors to my understanding of this book. "
— Scott, 5/29/2012 -
" i like monarchs "
— Payton, 2/13/2012
About Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was a pamphleteer, revolutionary, radical, liberal, intellectual, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Born in Great Britain, he emigrated to America at the suggestion of Benjamin Franklin just in time to promote the American Revolution with his powerful, widely read pamphlet, Common Sense. Later, he was a great influence on the French Revolution. He wrote Rights of Man as a guide to the ideas of the Enlightenment. Despite an inability to speak French, he was elected to the French National Assembly in 1792. Regarded as an ally of the Girondists, he was seen with increasing disfavor by the Montagnards and in particular by Robespierre. He was arrested in Paris and imprisoned in December 1793; he was released in 1794. He became notorious with his book, The Age of Reason, which advocated deism and took issue with Christian doctrines. While in France, he also wrote a pamphlet titled Agrarian Justice, which discussed the origins of property and introduced a concept that is similar to a guaranteed minimum income. He remained in France until 1802, when he returned to America on an invitation from Thomas Jefferson, who had been elected president.