He didn’t mention the “k” word…

 

 

Book review:

Common Sense

 

by Thomas Paine

Isaac Kramnick, ed., intro.

New York: Penguin Books, 1986

 

When I re-read a classic, I try to prepare myself for a couple “aha!” moments and one or two “uh oh!” moments.

I wasn’t disappointed in reading Common Sense this time.

Paine first published (anonymously) his 47-page “pamphlet” on January 10, 1776, after the shooting at Lexington-Concord and before the Declaration of Independence was approved.

Of course, everyone knows Paine argued for “independance” (his 18th century spelling).

This time around, it’s of interest to me to note that Paine very carefully avoided directly challenging King George III by name or even by spelling out his title—the text is full of “k—” references. Paine fully and explicitly described and condemned the bad things that old George was doing and likely to do.

Also, it’s of interest to me that Paine notably includes in his arguments for “independance” that America’s trade and international commerce would be buttressed by separation of the British colonies from Britain. He freely uses “America” and “Americans” in referring to the colonies and the colonists, although a huge majority of English colonists likely thought of themselves as “British” citizens.

Paine gives ample space to biblical themes.

Common Sense was widely and repeatedly republished in 1776 and thereafter—it was astoundingly popular in America, Britain, and elsewhere. Historians suspect that 75,000-100,000 copies were printed.

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Book review. Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2022 All rights reserved.

 

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