Common Sense
Common Sense appeared anonymously in Philadelphia in January 1776, and within months it had been read or heard by a large part of the American colonies. Thomas Paine, an English emigrant who had been in the country little more than a year, argued that the quarrel with Britain was not about taxes but about whether a continent should be governed by an island, that hereditary monarchy was absurd in itself, and that the time for reconciliation had passed. He wrote for readers who had never opened a political treatise, in short sentences and homely images, and changed the argument from grievance to independence. The Declaration followed in July. The pamphlet remains the model of political writing meant to be acted on. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Common Sense
Common Sense by Thomas Paine can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Common Sense online?
Yes. Common Sense opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Common Sense free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Common Sense is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Common Sense in the public domain?
Yes. Common Sense by Thomas Paine is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Common Sense?
About 1 h 28 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Common Sense?
Common Sense by Thomas Paine is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
