His principal contributions were the powerful, widely read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), the all-time best-selling American book that advocated colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and The American Crisis (1776�83), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series. Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."
Contents
The Writings of Thomas Paine � Volume 1 (1774-1779) - The American Crisis
The Writings of Thomas Paine � Volume 2 (1779-1792) - The Rights of Man
The Writings Of Thomas Paine - Volume 3 (1791-1804)
The Writings of Thomas Paine � Volume 4 (1794-1796) - The Age of Reason
A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal (1792)
Common Sense (1779)
Writings of Thomas Paine � Volume 1 (1774-1779) - The American Crisis
The first "Crisis" is of especial historical interest. It was written during the retreat of Washington across the Delaware, and by order of the Commander was read to groups of his dispirited and suffering soldiers. Its opening sentence was adopted as the watchword of the movement on Trenton, a few days after its publication, and is believed to have inspired much of the courage which won that victory, which, though not imposing in extent, was of great moral effect on Washington's little army.
Writings of Thomas Paine � Volume 2 (1779-1792) - The Rights of Man
Those who suppose that Paine did but reproduce the principles of Rousseau and Locke will find by careful study of his well-weighed language that such is not the case. Paine's political principles were evolved out of his early Quakerism. Reprinted from the "The Writings of Thomas Paine Volume I" (1894 - 1896).
Writings of Thomas Paine � Volume 4 (1794-1796) - The Age of 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!"
