The impassioned democratic voice of the Age of Revolution, Thomas Paine fought for American liberty with words and deeds. His Common Sense galvanized the colonists to form the United States and declare independence from Great Britain. The American Crisis—opening with the immortal cry, "These are the times that try men's souls"—rallied the young nation's war-weary troops and citizens. Upon his return to Europe, Paine continued to promote freedom by proclaiming The Rights of Man and decrying religious persecution with The Age of Reason.
The brilliant social and political philosopher possessed a gift for stating complex ideas in concise terms, making him one of the first journalists to write in language accessible to anyone who could read. This anthology features highlights from Paine's best-known works, along with selections from his letters, articles, and pamphlets. Editor John Dos Passos—the acclaimed author of Three Soldiers and the epic U.S.A. trilogy—distills the radical intellectual's philosophy into a single cohesive volume that resounds with ever-relevant views on democracy and justice.