A great one volume compendium of Paine's most important works, combined with a good biography. An excellent place to start an exploration of one of our country's greatest men. ( )

While reading "The Life and Major Writings of Thomas Paine," I was continually impressed with how well informed he was on so many subjects. In today's society it is so easy to get on the internet and find out information when we want to research and write about a subject. Such was not the case in Thomas Paine's day, and yet he had information on the politics, governments, finances, and economies of England, France, and the American Colonies. He was not only well connected with persons who had first hand information, but he had a firm understanding of the information he gathered. In addition to law, science, and economics, he had an understanding of the social sciences.

Paine was a prolific writer and he was not afraid to voice his opinion, especially on the subject of human rights. He was a firm believer in liberty, justice, and freedom of religion, as well as helping the downtrodden. I got the feeling that he honestly cared about humankind as shown in his words, "For my own part I am fully satisfied that what I am now doing, with an endeavor to conciliate mankind, to render their condition happy, to unite nations that have hitherto been enemies, and to extirpate the horrid practise [sic] of war and break the chains of slavery and oppression, in His sight, and being the best service I can perform I act it cheerfully." I truly believe that his writings deserve to be included in history and civilization studies throughout the world. ( )