46 Pages by Scott Liell

Liell, Scott. 46 Pages. New York: MJF Books, 2003.


In 1775, British citizens in the American colonies were seeking reform in the government of their king. By the summer of 1776, Americans were seeking independence from the oppressive rule of Britain. This change in public perspective made loosed the American Revolution. The thing that tipped the scales was a 46-page book.

That book was Common Sense by Thomas Paine. In 46 Pages, Scott Liell describes America contemplating its colonial condition and how a British lover of freedom and his essay tipped the scales toward independence.

Before Common Sense, Americans were seeking reform. They wanted more liberty within the British system. They were seeking to preserve their rights as British citizens. They weren’t sure they could enjoy those rights without the British government to protect them.

Loyalty to George III was widespread, also. Parliament might be awful bunch of oppressors, but the king was a benevolent father who would surely help his children if he understood their plight.

Paine attacked these notions. The king was just as responsible as Parliament for the oppression of the colonies. Parliament would not persist in a policy that was not also the king’s. In addition, a constitution and government that preserved a monarchy, with real powers and privileges, could not be trusted to preserve the rights of commoners.

Common Sense was widely read in America, and newspapers and pamphlets were full of response, both approbations and counterarguments, and speculation about the author (Paine did not include his name on the work). It was read and discussed by the founding fathers and influenced the thinking of many who were not already inclined toward independence. Benjamin Franklin encouraged Paine to come to America and write about the conflict between the colonies and their mother country, though he probably didn’t imagine Paine would create such a book.

46 Pages is an enjoyable, readable, short book. It provides a glimpse into the American revolution and demonstrates the power of ideas.

If your intersted in this book, you may also be interested in: Common Sense by Thomas Paine His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization by Anthony Esolen