Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not YET sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favour; a long habit of not thinking a thing WRONG, gives it a superficial appearance of being RIGHT, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.

In the opening year, 1793, when revolutionary France had beheaded its king, the wrath turned next upon the King of kings, by whose grace every tyrant claimed to reign. But eventualities had brought among them a great English and American heart -- Thomas Paine. He had pleaded for Louis Caper -- "Kill the king but spare the man." Now he pleaded, -- "Disbelieve in the King of kings, but do not confuse with that idol the Father of Mankind "

"A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal" from Thomas Paine. English-american political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary (1737-1809).

"Common Sense" from Thomas Paine. English-american political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary (1737-1809).

"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...