What Common Sense is about
A concise, forceful case for political change, written for people outside the usual centres of power. Thomas Paine wrote it in 1776. It sits in the politics shelf of the library.
The edition you read
The original text is the Thomas Paine, 1776, a public domain edition. The text is complete and keeps its own chapter structure, so every reading points back to the same place in the book.
Where to start
The book opens with these readings, in order. The first one is free in the app.
- Introduction
- Of the origin and design of government in general,
- Monarchy lacks natural or sacred title
- Succession multiplies royal harm
How the readings are split
The 12 readings follow the book's own divisions, grouped into 4 parts. Each reading is a sitting of a few minutes, and the reader remembers the paragraph where you stopped.
Reading it in plain English
Every reading has a plain English draft written paragraph by paragraph, and a short guide with context, an explanation, takeaways and a question to think about. The drafts are labeled Unreviewed plain English draft. Drafts, guides and the readings after the first one need Athenaeum Membership.
Questions about Common Sense
Is Common Sense free to read?
The Thomas Paine, 1776 is in the public domain. In Athenaeum the first of its 12 readings is free, and Athenaeum Membership opens the rest.
How long is Common Sense?
Athenaeum splits it into 12 readings. Short books take a week of evenings, and long ones work best a reading or two at a time.
Read Common Sense in Athenaeum
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