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Common Sense (AmazonClassics Edition)
- Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies
- Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins
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Publisher's summary
Published anonymously on January 10, 1776, Thomas Paine's legendary work made the case for American independence.
An immediate sensation across the thirteen colonies, Common Sense extolled Paine's belief that government should be simple and represent the will of the people, acting not as an oppressor but as a body to protect society. His clear and persuasive argument appealed to the common people, impressing on them the importance of secession from Great Britain. Six months after Common Sense was published, independence was declared, and the American Revolution was born.
AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature's most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.
Revised edition: Previously published as Common Sense, this edition of Common Sense (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions.
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Volumes have been written about George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, but no previous work captures the intimate and vital details the way Inventing a Nation does. Vidal's consummate skill takes you into the minds and private rooms of these great men, illuminating their opinions of one another and their concerns about crafting a workable democracy.
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Reader Beware: Mixed with a political agenda
- By Robert on 09-09-04
By: Gore Vidal
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John Adams
- By: David McCullough
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 29 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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McCullough's John Adams has the sweep and vitality of a great novel. This is history on a grand scale, an audiobook about politics, war, and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, it is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.
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An outstanding biography
- By Davis on 07-10-06
By: David McCullough
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Our Lost Declaration
- America's Fight Against Tyranny from King George to the Deep State
- By: Mike Lee
- Narrated by: Tom Parks
- Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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New York Times best-selling author and committed constitutional conservative Senator Mike Lee reveals the little-known stories behind the founders' takedown of a tyrannical king and the forgotten document that created America.
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Great listen.
- By chas on 07-14-19
By: Mike Lee
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William Wilberforce
- A Hero for Humanity
- By: Kevin Belmonte
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity is the definitive biography of the English statesman who overcame incredible odds to bring about the end of slavery and slave trade. Called 'the wittiest man in England' by philosopher and novelist Madame de Stael, praised by Abraham Lincoln, and renowned for his oratorical genius, Wilberforce worked tirelessly to accomplish his goal. Whether you are an avid student of history, a pupil of prominent leaders of the past, or simply someone who reads for pleasure, you will love award-winning biographer Kevin Belmonte's vivid account....
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A Genuine Hero
- By mathmac on 09-30-17
By: Kevin Belmonte
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Thomas Paine and the Clarion Call for American Independence
- By: Harlow Giles Unger
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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From New York Times best-selling author and Founding Fathers' biographer Harlow Giles Unger comes the astonishing biography of the man whose pen set America ablaze, inspiring its revolution, and whose ideas about reason and religion continue to try men's souls.
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well written and researched
- By K D on 09-29-19
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Rights of Man
- By: Thomas Paine
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Rights of Man presents an impassioned defense of the Enlightenment principles of freedom and equality that Thomas Paine believed would soon sweep the world. He boldly claimed, "From a small spark, kindled in America, a flame has arisen, not to be extinguished. Without consuming...it winds its progress from nation to nation."
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By his voice alone he helped transform the West
- By Darwin8u on 12-23-12
By: Thomas Paine
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John Quincy Adams
- American Visionary
- By: Fred Kaplan
- Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
- Length: 27 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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In this fresh and lively biography rich in literary analysis and new historical detail, Fred Kaplan brings into focus the dramatic life of John Quincy Adams - the little known and much misunderstood sixth president of the United States and the first son of John and Abigail Adams - and persuasively demonstrates how Adams's inspiring, progressive vision guided his life and helped shape the course of America.
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Destined by birth, mentored by greats...
- By Jonathan Love on 03-04-16
By: Fred Kaplan
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Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
- By: Walter Isaacson
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 24 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Benjamin Franklin is the founding father who winks at us - an ambitious urban entrepreneur who rose up the social ladder, from leather-aproned shopkeeper to dining with kings. In best-selling author Walter Isaacson's vivid and witty full-scale biography, we discover why Franklin turns to us from history's stage with eyes that twinkle from behind his new-fangled spectacles. In Benjamin Franklin, Isaacson shows how Franklin defines both his own time and ours. The most interesting thing that Franklin invented, and continually reinvented, was himself.
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Good book, not crazy about the narrator
- By Cathi on 07-20-13
By: Walter Isaacson
What listeners say about Common Sense (AmazonClassics Edition)
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Septimus MacGhilleglas
- 03-03-24
A Wonderful American Document
I love that this man, almost single-handedly, gave clear and concise reason for the most audible b**tchslap to the English monarch in history, one that was heard around the world.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Alex A.
- 04-12-20
History with Knowledge
Our history and having this knowledge prevents a repeat of Tyranny or oppression! This book is well worth the time and efforts to listen or read as we are Americans and should always seek the truth of our history.
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- Budamar
- 12-08-17
A good read
Interesting explains some of what was the thinking of patriots at the time of the revolution.
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- Nini
- 08-27-20
History
I typically don't read books like these because sometimes history is written in a boring format/tone.
I did however enjoy this book as I felt Thomas Paines power, frustrations and wittyness upon writing these pamphlets.
I really enjoyed having a better sense of the mix feelings the general public, and political representatives back. The fear of the unknown and stepping into the birth and acceptance of a new Nation without Great Britain.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 09-08-20
Comments from a reader
This is definitely a work for historians to read. It should be read if you want to know why the States sought independence.
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- Ryan
- 12-03-20
good read, great on audio book.
narration was great, finished in a few days on commute to work. Strongly recommend a.
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- Tim Hou
- 03-09-22
Genius
Every American should be required to read this. How are kids getting through high school without reading this? It’s powerful, logical, concise, and everything Americans stand for. An absolute tour de force from a founding father. The points about royalty are spot on and still apply today. Let freedom ring!
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- Anonymous User
- 04-04-19
On Reason and Subjugation
Thomas Paine merely wrote what the masses could not articulate themselves and where he spoke of things they wanted not to hear the masses ostracised him. The so called primitives at the time were cannon fodder for rhetoric of revolution. For to be amoung primitives while also yourself under the subjugation of an empire such as Britain must stir vengeance in the hearts of many and Paine was the spoon.
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- seth Huntington
- 07-22-19
Lessons learned
At a time when people were divided as to the direction of its land, people and country. Mr. Payne called for the citizens of the land and all neighbors to put selfish ambition aside for the nation to come together.
It is sad to think as part of the founding of the United States of America, he (along with the other founders) are written off as priveliged. the founders had far more to give up than our current generations.
Mr. Payne was a concise individual, basing his conclusions on how an independent nation state would survive from its own resources. Relying on no other nation and looking forward in hope.
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- Bruce Landon
- 08-12-20
A Must Read
Well done. Paine based many of his arguments, rightly so, on th Bible. Great background for th Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
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