Common Sense

The book Common Sense has been around for 228 years, first published in 1776.
Written by the pamphleteer Thomas Paine, born and raised in England and was relatively advanced in age before emigrating to America.
The short pamphlet, which was begun while he as still in England is an argument for independence and more so a repudiation of the King of England who at that time was George III. Much of the discourse is an argument against dynastic monarchies, in America's cases compounded by the expanse of the Atlantic ocean.
Paine as it turns out was an ardent supporter of revolution in general. After the American success he spent significant time in France and was involved tangentially in the politics leading to the revolution there and later the entrance of Napoleon Bonaparte into the power vacuum created.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to persons hoping to gain insight on the mindset of persons that chose to fight for independence.
Later books that Paine wrote were also influential, The Age of Reason and Rights of Man, both of which I plan to obtain and read.