NPR's Book of the Day Brush up on American history with 'Common Sense' and 'We the People'
Feb 20, 2026
Jill Lepore, historian and author of We the People, offers a sweeping history of constitutional change. Nora Slonimsky, director of the Thomas Paine Institute, explores Common Sense as an influencer-like pamphlet. They discuss Paine’s role in rallying colonists, how pamphlets spread ideas, and debates over whether the Constitution is fixed or adaptable.
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Paine Unified A Divided Public
- Thomas Paine's Common Sense unified disparate colonial audiences by clearly opposing monarchy and advocating a republic.
- Nora Slonimsky argues his clear, transparent stance helped him persuade multiple publics and shift opinion toward independence.
Pamphlet As 18th-Century Viral Post
- Common Sense spread like viral content because it was short, readable, and sparked conversations in taverns and coffee houses.
- Slonimsky compares Paine to a modern influencer whose pamphlet reached people through both print and oral discussion.
Transparency Broke Echo Chambers
- Paine anticipated echo chambers by being transparent about his agenda, which increased his credibility across groups.
- Slonimsky suggests his informed, forthright tone made diverse audiences more receptive to his arguments.
