The Writings of Thomas Paine, Volume 1 (1774-1779)

What it is

This is the first volume of The Writings of Thomas Paine, collected and edited by Moncure Daniel Conway. It covers writings from 1774 to 1779 and includes the series of essays called The American Crisis, numbered and addressed to different readers, such as Lord Howe, Sir William Howe and the People of England. The text is a reprint from the edition of 1894 to 1896 and has no images.

Why it matters

The American Crisis was written during the Revolutionary War, and it was meant to encourage Americans to keep up the struggle. The essays show how Paine addressed British commanders and officials as well as American and English readers. They give a direct view of how one of the era's most widely read writers argued for independence.

Look closer

• To whom is each Crisis essay addressed, and why might Paine have chosen that audience?
• What does Paine want his readers to feel or do, and which words show it?
• Since this is a later edited reprint, what might differ from the essays as they first appeared in 1776 and later?