Common Sense

Publisher Marketing: In 1775, the American colonies were a hotbed of political discord. Many of the British policies, specifically taxes, had caused American colonial leaders to consider the unthinkable: declaring independence from the British Empire and its King George. One such leader, Thomas Jefferson, wrote Common Sense: a pamphlet that explained the advantages of immediate and complete independence. In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, Common Sense became a national sensation, and has remained an important part of American history. Review Citations: Ingram Advance 09/01/2005 pg. 97 (EAN 9780143036258, Paperback) Library Journal 10/01/2005 pg. 122 (EAN 9780143036258, Paperback) Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/1998 pg. 138 (EAN 9780899665429, Library Binding) Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/1998 pg. 138 (EAN 9780879759186, Paperback) Kliatt 07/01/2002 pg. 58 (EAN 9781584721147, Analog Audio Cassette) Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/1998 pg. 138 (EAN 9780140390162, Paperback) Contributor Bio:  Paine, Thomas English-born Thomas Paine left behind hearth and home for adventures on the high seas at nineteen. Upon returning to shore, he became a tax officer, and it was this job that inspired him to write The Case of the Officers of Excise in 1772. Paine then immigrated to Philadelphia, and in 1776 he published Common Sense, a defense of American independence from England. After returning to Europe, Paine wrote his famous Rights of Man as a response to criticism of the French Revolution. He was subsequently labeled as an outlaw, leading him to flee to France where he joined the National Convention. However, in 1793 Paine was imprisoned, and during this time he wrote the first part of The Age of Reason, an anti-church text which would go on to be his most famous work. After his release, Paine returned to America where he passed away in 1809. Contributor Bio:  Marshall, Qarie Qarie has narrated over 30 series for the Discovery, Learning Channels & The BBC, as well as providing the inflight programming for Virgin Atlantic Airlines & BBC radio plays. He has voiced over 80 video games for the Playstation & Xbox, and was a guest voice on Comedy Central's Drawn Together. He was made an Associate Artist of The Purple Rose Theatre in 2007.