Skip to content

Common Sense
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense Paperback - 2005

by Thomas Paine

Summary

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves—and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives—and destroyed them.

Now, Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are. Penguin's Great Ideas series features twelve groundbreaking works by some of history's most prodigious thinkers, and each volume is beautifully packaged with a unique type-drive design that highlights the bookmaker's art. Offering great literature in great packages at great prices, this series is ideal for those readers who want to explore and savor the Great Ideas that have shaped the world.

Published anonymously in 1776, six months before the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was a radical and impassioned call for America to free itself from British rule and set up an independent republican government. Savagely attacking hereditary kingship and aristocratic institutions, Paine urged a new beginning for his adopted country in which personal freedom and social equality would be upheld and economic and cultural progress encouraged.  His pamphlet was the first to speak directly to a mass audience—it went through fifty-six editions within a year of publication—and its assertive and often caustic style both embodied the democratic spirit he advocated, and converted thousands of citizens to the cause of American independence.

From the publisher

Thomas Paine was born in Thetford, England, in 1737, the son of a staymaker. He had little schooling and worked at a number of jobs, including tax collector, a position he lost for agitating for an increase in excisemen’s pay. Persuaded by Benjamin Franklin, he emigrated to America in 1774. In 1776 he began his American Crisis series of thirteen pamphlets, and also published the incalculably influential Common Sense, which established Paine not only as a truly revolutionary thinker, but as the American Revolution’s fiercest political theorist. In 1787 Paine returned to Europe, where he became involved in revolutionary politics. In England his books were burned by the public hangman. Escaping to France, Paine took part in drafting the French constitution and voted against the king’s execution. He was imprisoned for a year and narrowly missed execution himself. In 1802 he returned to America and lived in New York State, poor, ill and largely despised for his extremism and so-called atheism (he was in fact a deist). Thomas Paine died in 1809. His body was exhumed by William Cobbett, and the remains were taken to England for a memorial burial. Unfortunately, the remains were subsequently lost.

Details

  • Title Common Sense
  • Author Thomas Paine
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 112
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Date 2005-09-06
  • ISBN 9780143036258 / 0143036254
  • Weight 0.19 lbs (0.09 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.08 x 4.3 x 0.32 in (17.98 x 10.92 x 0.81 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 1330
  • Library of Congress subjects Political science, United States - Politics and government -
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2005047728
  • Dewey Decimal Code 320.011

Excerpt

Of the Origin and Design of Government in General. With Concise Remarks on the English Constitution

Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.

Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamities are heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least.

About the author

Thomas Paine was born in Thetford, England, in 1737, the son of a staymaker. He had little schooling and worked at a number of jobs, including tax collector, a position he lost for agitating for an increase in excisemen's pay. Persuaded by Benjamin Franklin, he emigrated to America in 1774. In 1776 he began his American Crisis series of thirteen pamphlets, and also published the incalculably influential Common Sense, which established Paine not only as a truly revolutionary thinker, but as the American Revolution's fiercest political theorist. In 1787 Paine returned to Europe, where he became involved in revolutionary politics. In England his books were burned by the public hangman. Escaping to France, Paine took part in drafting the French constitution and voted against the king's execution. He was imprisoned for a year and narrowly missed execution himself. In 1802 he returned to America and lived in New York State, poor, ill and largely despised for his extremism and so-called atheism (he was in fact a deist). Thomas Paine died in 1809. His body was exhumed by William Cobbett, and the remains were taken to England for a memorial burial. Unfortunately, the remains were subsequently lost.
Back to Top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
Common Sense (Great Ideas)

Common Sense (Great Ideas)

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
World of Books Ltd
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£2.19
£8.57 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
£2.19
£8.57 shipping to USA
Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Wonder Book
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.20
£3.18 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Like New. Like New condition. A near perfect copy that may have very minor cosmetic defects.
Item Price
£4.20
£3.18 shipping to USA
Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Wonder Book
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.20
£3.18 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp.
Item Price
£4.20
£3.18 shipping to USA
Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
UsedGood
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Best and Fastest Books
Wantage, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.78
£3.18 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Good solid paperback with moderate reading/age wear, may have some light markings, pages may have some mild tanning. We take great pride in accurately describing the condition of our books and media, ship within 48 hours, and offer a 100% money back guarantee. Customers purchasing more than one item from us may be entitled to a shipping discount.
Item Price
£4.78
£3.18 shipping to USA
Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Cheryl's Books
Vinemont, Alabama, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.98
£3.18 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 9/6/2005. Paperback. Very Good. 4x0x7. Paperback book in good condition.
Item Price
£4.98
£3.18 shipping to USA
Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Gulf Coast Books
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.07
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-09-06. paperback. Good. 4x0x7.
Item Price
£5.07
FREE shipping to USA
Common Sense

Common Sense

by Thomas Paine

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
2
Seller
ThriftBooks
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.48
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2005. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£5.48
FREE shipping to USA
Common Sense
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.65
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
£5.65
FREE shipping to USA
Common Sense
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense

by Paine, Thomas

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£5.74
FREE shipping to USA
Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Common Sense (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Thomas Paine

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036258 / 0143036254
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Ergodebooks
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£6.95
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin (Non-Classics), 2005-09-06. Paperback. Good.
Item Price
£6.95
FREE shipping to USA
Show all copies
Back to Top↑

Hang on… we’re fetching the requested page.