Common Sense 
Thomas Paine 


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Common Sense 
By Thomas Paine (1737-1809) 


Common Sense, Paine’s pro-independence monograph published anonymously on 10 
January 1776, spread quickly among literate colonists. Within three months, 120,000 
copies are alleged to have been distributed throughout the colonies, which themselves 
totaled only four million free inhabitants, making it the best-selling work in 18th-century 
America. Its total sales in both America and Europe reached 500,000 copies. It convinced 
many colonists, including George Washington and John Adams, to seek redress in political 
independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and argued strongly against any 
compromise short of independence. (Summary from Wikipedia) 


Thomas Paine 
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Read by Gary Gilberd. Total running time: 02:02:38. 


O Introduction and Preface — 00:03:30 

1 Origin of Government in General — 00:14:06 

2 Monarchy and Hereditary Succession — 00:22:49 

3a Thoughts on the Present State of America pt. 1 — 00:21:44 
3b Thoughts on the Present State of America pt. 2 — 00:20:38 
4 The Present Ability of America — 00:26:48 

5 Appendix — 00:20:43 


This recording is in the public domain and may be reproduced, distributed, or modified without permission. For 
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Cover picture by William Morris & Company (1915-1917). Copyright expired in US, Canada, EU and all countries 
with author’s life +70 yrs laws. Cover design by Janette Brown. This design is in the public domain. 


Common Sense 
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