• Common Sense

  • By: Thomas Paine
  • Narrated by: Walter Dixon
  • Length: 2 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,912 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Common Sense  By  cover art

Common Sense

By: Thomas Paine
Narrated by: Walter Dixon
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $6.86

Buy for $6.86

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Thomas Paine published Common Sense in 1776, a time when America was a hotbed of revolution. The pamphlet, which called for America's political freedom, sold more than 150,000 copies in three months. Paine not only spurred his fellow Americans to action but soon came to symbolize the spirit of the Revolution itself. His persuasive pieces, written so elegantly, spoke to the hearts and minds of all those fighting for freedom from England.

Public Domain (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

“No writer has exceeded Paine in ease and familiarity of style; in perspicuity of expression, happiness of elucidation, and in simple unassuming language.” (Thomas Jefferson)

What listeners say about Common Sense

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,245
  • 4 Stars
    426
  • 3 Stars
    191
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    19
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,057
  • 4 Stars
    391
  • 3 Stars
    154
  • 2 Stars
    30
  • 1 Stars
    16
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,087
  • 4 Stars
    346
  • 3 Stars
    145
  • 2 Stars
    37
  • 1 Stars
    17

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read for everyone to remember what independence is about

Thomas paine’s common sense is a great listen for those who found value and dont discriminate people based on religion and spoke against enslavement of people in the Americas. If you listen close Paine argues for a separation of Church and Politics (appendix) thats a great reminder for people in America today that government and society are too separate things. And using government to force society to remain stagnant is poison to our very foundation. He says America should be free of kings rule and pity wars and shouldn’t have/had kept and connection with. Unfortunately that would remain true in the 1800’/ and on

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

an excellent read are all historians and students

clearly spells out the choices before the colonists when deciding or the to make peace with the king or act separately and independently.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read it.

This book was one of the foundation and fundamental influences on America entering into the Revolutionary war. Read it and understand the mindset of the time and how we should possibly should view things now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Living History

Would you consider the audio edition of Common Sense to be better than the print version?

Audiobook or print, great value either way!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Common Sense?

The most memorable moment is the understanding the time marches on, but politics remains the same in many essential ways, because it is the involvement of people that remain constant.

What aspect of Walter Dixon’s performance would you have changed?

Walter Dixon is a very consistent and pleasant narrator.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The most interesting tidbit may be how much holds true 250 years later.

Any additional comments?

Read history, its like reading the spoiler for what is happening right now. Grab the popcorn and watch it happen all over again, enjoy the ride.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Timeless

"The present state of America is truly alarming to every man who is capable of reflexion".
Still applies today in 2016!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Church and State

Bind us together with chords that cannot be broken, bind us together with chords of God's love. AMEN.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Truly American Piece

I think this piece more succinctly explains why the actions of King George III led so many American Colonists to secede from England. The explanations about why monarchy is not valid form of government for a Christian nation are really well done. I'm a little disappointed that so much time was spent on bashing on the Quakers. Still the arguments given as to why their reasonings didn't really work were well presented.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

well narrated, awesome and timeless message.

I've listened to it many times now and have marveled at the bravery and foresight of Thomas Paine. It is also well narrated and gives you the feel of a colonial era debate tournament.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Timeless Work

"the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise" Thomas Paine

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Audible has done a fantastic job at retelling this fascinating document that helped build the foundation of our nation.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!