This book provides a comprehensive account of the life and work of Thomas Paine, one of the most controversial figures of the Enlightenment period. The book includes an in-depth analysis of Paine's most famous works, such as Common Sense and The Age of Reason, as well as a selection of lesser-known writings. The editors provide valuable contextual information that enriches the reader's appreciation of Paine's contribution to the intellectual history of the time.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.