Thomas Paine-A Brief History of the Times That Tried Men's Souls

At the beginning of 1776, and then at the end, Thomas Paine published two highly influential pamphlets that form perfect bookends to that revolutionary year of American history. In January, Common Sense urged Americans to throw off their attachments to Great Britain, declare their independence, and form a government of their own. Then in December, The American Crisis No. 1 urged Americans to rise up during a desperate and dark time of the Revolutionary War to rededicate themselves to winning the