Tom Paine is celebrated for the part he played in both the American and French Revolutions. Though an Englishman by birth, he reacted violently against the political order of eighteenth-century England and in favour of radical reform. So well thought of was he outside Great Britain that he became a distinguished public figure in both France and the United States.

RIGHTS OF MAN and COMMON SENSE are the two short books in which he elaborates his political and social theories in vivid, simple prose which can still be read with pleasure and excitement today. These are among the foundling texts of the radical tradition in America and Western Europe.

Why You Should Read?

• Provides insights into the political and social theories of Thomas Paine, presented in accessible prose.
• Offers a historical perspective on the American and French Revolutions through the lens of a key participant.
• Presents the foundational texts of the radical tradition in America and Western Europe.
• Explores the intellectual underpinnings of radical reform and its implications.

About the Author

Thomas Paine is celebrated for his pivotal roles in both the American and French Revolutions. Born in England, he vehemently opposed the political structure of 18th-century England, advocating for radical reform. Paine's influence extended globally, earning him recognition as a prominent figure in France and the United States. His writings, including "Rights of Man" and "Common Sense," are foundational texts of radical thought in America and Western Europe.