Common Sense and the American Crisis - MP3 CD Audiobook in CD jacket

This disc contains the two pamphlets Paine wrote that inspired the American Revolution: Common Sense and The American Crisis. Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 that articulated the argument for seeking independence from Britain at a time when the matter was the issue of the day. Paine reasoned and wrote in a clear, simple style accessible and tangible to the common man. He structured Common Sense as a sermon using Biblical references to make his case. In doing so he drew together the drive for independence with prevailing dissenting Protestant tenets to forge a uniquely American political identity. Published anonymously on January 10, 1776, it became an instant sensation, "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era". Its sales in proportion to the overall population remain the highest of any book published in American history. "These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” So begins the first of The American Crisis series of pamphlets by Thomas Paine published during the American Revolution between 1776 and 1783. George Washington was so moved by the first in the series that he had it read aloud to the Continental Army on December 23, 1776, three days before the Battle of Trenton, to bolster morale. Thirteen numbered pamphlets appeared in 1776 and 1776 and appeared at critical junctures of the early days of the struggle; three more appeared between 1777 and 1783. Signed with the pseudonym “Common Sense”, Paine wrote in simple language that everyone could understand, and his writings clarified the issues, improved morale, appealed to the good sense of the English and argued against a negotiated peace.