"The Writings Of Thomas Paine Volume III" from Thomas Paine. English-american political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary (1737-1809).

"Writings of Thomas Paine Volume I" from Thomas Paine. English-american political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary (1737-1809).

"Writings of Thomas Paine Volume II" from Thomas Paine. English-american political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary (1737-1809).

"Writings of Thomas Paine Volume IV" from Thomas Paine. English-american political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary (1737-1809).

By the last quarter of the 18th century, the colonies in America were a tinderbox just waiting for a spark to set off the conflagration that would envelope the eastern coast of the continent. In many ways, Thomas Paine provided the match, with his pamphlet Common Sense, an appeal to his fellow colonists in simple, undecorated speech for the need to take Great Britain to war and win the colonies' independence. At a time when fingers were commonly pointed at royal advisors and policy-makers, Paine firmly laid the blame for the colonies' injustice at the feet of George III himself.

First published anonymously on January 10, 1776, during the American Revolution; Common Sense was signed "Written by an Englishman," and the pamphlet became an immediate success. In relation to the population of the Colonies at that time, it had the largest sale and circulation of any book in American history. Common Sense presented the American colonists with a powerful argument for independence from British rule at a time when the question of independence was still undecided. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood; forgoing the philosophy and Latin references used...

"These are the times that try men's souls." Thomas Paine, The Crisis

Throughout most of Paine's life, his writings inspired passion, but also brought him great criticism. He communicated the ideas of the Revolution to common farmers as easily as to intellectuals, creating prose that stirred the hearts of the fledgling United States. Paine had a grand vision for society: he was staunchly anti-slavery, and he was one of the first to advocate a world peace organisation and social security for the poor and elderly. But his radical views on religion would destroy his success, and at the end of...

An expression in the British parliament respecting the American war, alluding to Julius Caesar having passed the Rubicon, has on several occasions introduced that river as the figurative river of war. Fortunately for England, she is yet on the peaceable side of the Rubicon; but as the flames once kindled are not always easily extinguished, the hopes of peace are not so clear as before the late mysterious dispute began. But while the calm lasts, it may answer a very good purpose to take a view of the prospects, consistent with the maxim, that he that goeth to war should first sit down and...