The American Crisis

by Thomas Paine

In the winter of 1776, the American War of Independence, which had been declared only a few months before, was in trouble. British troops had quickly advanced through New York and New Jersey to crush the rebellion, and the Continental army was in retreat and on the verge of disintegration. At the end of that year, on December 23, Thomas Paine, who had previously inspired the revolutionary cause with his stirring pamphlet Common Sense, published the first of a new series of essays aptly titled The Crisis.
Paine had a gift for memorable phrasing and the first words of The Crisis soon became famous:

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'tis dearness only that gives every thing its value."

General Washington found the writing so uplifting that later, during the bleak winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, he ordered Paine's essay to be read by all the troops.
Paine continued his writing through the duration of the war with eloquent appeals for justice addressed to British leaders and citizens, and uplifting words to bolster the patriots in their fight for independence.
A document that provides many insights into the hardships and precarious uncertainties that threatened the birth of our nation, The Crisis belongs on every American's bookshelf.

Genres: History, Classics, Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, American History, Essays

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 1776

About the author

Thomas Paine was an English-American political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary. As the author of two highly influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, he inspired the Patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Britain. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era rhetoric of transnational human rights. He has been called "a corset maker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination".

Born in Thetford, England, in the county of Norfolk, Paine emigrated to the British American colonies in 1774 with the help of Benjamin Franklin, arriving just in time to participate in the American Revolution. His principal contributions were the powerful, widely read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), the all-time best-selling American book that advocated colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and The American Crisis (1776–83), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series. Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."

Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. He wrote the Rights of Man (1791), in part a defence of the French Revolution against its critics. His attacks on British writer Edmund Burke led to a trial and conviction in absentia in 1792 for the crime of seditious libel. In 1792, despite not being able to speak French, he was elected to the French National Convention. The Girondists regarded him as an ally. Consequently, the Montagnards, especially Robespierre, regarded him as an enemy.

In December 1793, he was arrested and imprisoned in Paris, then released in 1794. He became notorious because of his pamphlet The Age of Reason (1793–94), in which he advocated deism, promoted reason and freethinking, and argued against institutionalized religion in general and Christian doctrine in particular. He also wrote the pamphlet Agrarian Justice (1795), discussing the origins of property, and introduced the concept of a guaranteed minimum income. In 1802, he returned to America where he died on June 8, 1809. Only six people attended his funeral as he had been ostracized for his ridicule of Christianity.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With as much vitriol and negative crap going on around us every day lately (not all of it undeserved mind you), I found it tremendously heartening to hear someone speak so passionately and unabashedly about loving their country and being willing to fight and sacrifice to preserve the ideals for which it was founded. Surprisingly, I found this to be an even more emotionally stirring work than Paine's more famous Common Sense. I read this piece immediately after finishing the historical fiction novel To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom, whose title is derived from the famous first line of this series of essays. The combination of reading about the horrendous conditions faced by Washington's army prior to the crossing of the Delaware and leading up to the Battle of Trenton, which turned the tide in the Revolutionary War, and then experiencing Paine's incredibly powerful words to the American people to "keep the faith" and persevere in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds was a very special moment for me.

I have included portions of the first essay (the beginning and the ending) to give an idea of the power of Paine's words. However, I think having just read the account of the soldiers in To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom added significantly to the effect Paine's words had on me, but I am still hopeful the passion and belief evident in the words will still shine through.

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

and then ends as follows:

This is our situation, and who will may know it. By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils — a ravaged country — a depopulated city — habitations without safety, and slavery without hope — our homes turned into barracks and bawdy-houses for Hessians, and a future race to provide for, whose fathers we shall doubt of. Look on this picture and weep over it! and if there yet remains one thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented.

5.0 stars. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!

[Theo Logos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crisis displays Thomas Paine’s full power as a propagandist. The first Crisis was written in the dark winter of 1776 when the war was going badly for the Colonials, as Paine put it, ”the times that try men's souls,". His call to action in adversity, his sneer at ”the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot" are as stirring now as they certainly were then. He stripped his subject of every side issue, every nuance that might encourage wavering or compromise, and focused his reader exclusively on the goal at hand.

Under Paine's pen every British victory is shown as an actual setback, every Colonial retreat is a brilliant maneuver to entrap the enemy into spreading itself too thin. Even slight Colonial victories like Trenton become huge, earth shattering. Nothing the British do can be of any consequence in the end, and ultimate victory is all but assured so long as the Americans will simply keep at it.

The brilliant thing is, Paine was right. The British, far from home and facing a huge, hostile territory, had no chance of ultimate victory so long as the Colonials kept an army in the field. As Paine pointed out, only absolute victory would win the war for the British, while all the Americans needed for victory was a draw. So ultimately, British arms could not defeat the Americans, but only the despair of the American forces. Paine put his pen to work to make sure that his countrymen would not despair.

The Crisis was not written as a single work, but as a series of sixteen letters variously addressed to the America people, the British public, and various British generals and officials. The early ones are the most vigorous and stirring, while several of the latter ones bog down in details of taxation and other issues that have long since ceased to interest any but the serious historian of the period. But when you read the best of these, you will understand why John Adams said that without Paine's pen "the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

"these are the times that try men's souls. the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."

as i sit here, in the year 2024, i realize how correct Paine was:

"what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'tis dearness only that gives every thing its value."

while revisiting this pamphlet and rereading my original starry-eyed review, i once again imagine how Paine's words would've rallied General Washington's despondent troops. how he strove to encourage others not to give up on the ideals of the country that would become the United States of America. how he warned us to never take our freedom from tyranny for granted. how he implored us to never settle for freedom for some but to strive for freedom for all.

while reading these passages, i couldn't help but feel gratitude for the many patriots (like Thomas Paine) who came before us and fought for the place i call home.

reading makes us feel less alone. reading helps to remind us of all the history that came before us. and now more than ever, i hold steadfastly to those who came before us and fought for our republic. a republic that against all odds, i will fight to keep.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Paine's writings! Very talented and he's got a brilliant grasp on language and persuasive techniques. And his sarcasm is amazing!

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in
this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love
and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this
consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain
too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

Ah, the ever quotable Thomas Paine. "The American Crisis" is a collection of pamphlets written to motivate the American army and public during its long, fraught war for independence from Great Britain. Washington would have it read to his army men to encourage them. It's fun to read, but I'd read private letters than motivational pieces. Recommended to fans of early U.S. history.

[Doreen Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for understanding the feelings of Americans as they declared their independence from Great Britain. Makes you want to learn more than just one side of the issue. For those interested in American Revolutionary War history this is a must read.

[Kedavra Mandylion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dramatic and well written, as it's usual with Paine.
I laughed out loud at the "bawdy houses for the Hessians" part. Why is it always the Hessians?

[Darcy Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I taught The Crisis for 6 years in my AP Language class. This is a wonderful work for preparing students for the AP test and for ACT preparation as it is a non-fiction persuasive argument with metaphor. allusion, parallelism and historical significance. Because of the richness of allusions in the text and allusions to the text, this is a piece any writer or aspiring educated citizen should read. Thomas Paine's passion is refreshing in it's zeal, and enlightening to the tone and mood of the era. My favorite line is "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'Tis dearness only that gives every thing its value." If we are to idealize American values, this sentiment is one I would like at the top. The good fight is worth fighting! The Crisis is a rousing read, and honestly, I miss reading it yearly. I may have to read it again soon.

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written piece with humor and at times biting wit.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value." So begins this classic work by Thomas Paine (written between 1776 and 1783), a piece, dare I say, more fiery than "Common Sense," in which he defends the American cause against the British in the American Revolutionary War. What made the work particularly incendiary to me was the section directed to General William Howe, which begins: "To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture. Enjoy, sir, your insensibility of feeling and reflecting. It is the prerogative of animals." Ouch!

In closing, Paine (writing here under the pseudonym "Common Sense") writes that "It was the cause of America that made me an author. . . . made it impossible for me, feeling as I did, to be silent. . . . I have likewise added something to the reputation of literature, by freely and disinterestedly employing it in the great cause of mankind . . . ." Indeed, often through periods of tumult and struggle, great pieces of beauty emerge to give hope to the people. Had it not been for the struggles of America in her early years, we may have never been graced with the works of Tom Paine, "the English Voltaire."

[Now, if I could just get paid for Reading...]

So far, one of the best shit talkers I've read.

[Graham Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing on with my reading of works from the American Revolution of particular historical significance is another Thomas Paine piece, “The American Crisis”. I feel like anyone with some familiarity with the period probably has heard the phrase that opens the first Crisis pamphlet, “These are the times that try men’s souls…”. I definitely had heard that, yet was largely unfamiliar with the rest of the 13 part series.

I’ve heard The Crisis be described as a successful propaganda campaign and that does become apparent in different Crisis entries. It was interesting to read how Paine takes American losses like the initial New Jersey campaign and the Siege of Charleston and spins them into positive developments in the War for Independence (i.e., Charleston only fell because the British weren’t successful in their attacks elsewhere so those defeated forces converged on Charleston). It seems this is an example of successfully inspirational propaganda as Paine got to keep writing the series and talk about American wins until he could open his final entry (#13) with ““THE times that tried mens souls,”are over — and the greatest and compleatest revolution the world ever knew is gloriously and happily accomplished.”

In addition to an examination of how to successfully inspire your countrymen, The American Crisis has a number of interesting features. For instance, Paine’s written takedowns of various British figures is 18th century trash talk and it's kind of wonderful. There’s a number of great one-liners, such as “Like men in a state of intoxication, you forget that the rest of the world have eyes, and that the same stupidity which conceals you from yourselves exposes you to their satire and contempt.”. Likewise, I did enjoy Paine’s references to areas of Philadelphia (my hometown) that I’m intimately familiar with like Germantown. Finally, as someone who went to a Quaker high school I thought Paine’s frequent mention of Quakers in the second pamphlet and their stance during the Revolution/his view on them to be very educational.

So in reading The American Crisis I did get what I set out to do, a better understanding of what else Paine had to say in the series. That said, unlike Common Sense I really struggled to get through this collection. Some of the entries were fine and interesting as I said but others were a real chore to get through due to how dense and frankly repetitive to get through.

The American Crisis in its entirety is an important look at early American political writing and propaganda in a time when the colonists needed it (and the British had to be verbally taken down several pegs). But while it was interesting, a good chunk of the 13 entries comes nowhere close to the effectiveness of “These are the times that try men’s souls…”. I don’t regret getting more Thomas Paine in my life but this was not light reading (and occasionally was boring instead).

[Ben Causey]

***AMERICA!!! HECK YEAH!!!***

Paine's writing is *rousing* in the extreme. There isn't the normally required transition phase when reading works from over 200 years ago. His writing is direct and intense for the majority of these pamphlets. He did his duty and more when writing and publishing *Common Sense* and just **kept going** with *The American Crisis* series. I read this with other similar letters by Paine interspersed and it was highly interesting and exciting even to read first-hand documents by one of the Founding Fathers cataloguing the war as it happened and all of the side stories that made those times so rich with detail.

In addition to *Common Sense* and *The American Crisis,* I would highly recommend reading *The Forester's Letters* as Paine absolutely **eviscerates** a pro-Britain Tory in such a satisfactory way. Honestly, all of Paine's writing from 1776-1783 should be required reading for American history courses.

This gets a glowing recommendation from me. Paine's powerful and unique language will have you pumping your fist one moment and laughing your ass off the next (and a few pages where you just wish he'd move on from talking about taxes, which are, of course, incredibly patriotic according to Paine).

[J.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this was either shorter or smaller. The random selections following The Crisis that are provided feel fragmented, and at times I wish there was some historical context provided with the text. But Paine is a good writer, very passionate and determined and I found his voice interesting and engaging.

[Luccas Hallman]

“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

[Kevin Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A large part of the book is about boosting the morale of the country during times when the outcome was uncertain. Paine can be intemperate at times. I'm not surprised that over time he alienated many of his friends so that only 6 people came to his funeral.

[Mark Lisac · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was a born rebel (perhaps even a chronic malcontent) who managed serially to become an enemy of King George III, Maximilien Robespierre, and George Washington, as well as an object of disdain for John Adams. But he was a wonderful propagandist and pamphleteer, as this condensed set of selections from his series The Crisis amply shows. Worth reading for the sake of the writing alone, let alone the help in understanding the time.
A few passages also demonstrate how American exceptionalism was built into national beliefs from the start. Here is Paine writing in March 1778, with the fighting in full swing: "America has surmounted a greater variety and combination of difficulties than, I believe, ever fell to the share of any one people in the same space of time, and has replenished the world with more useful knowledge and sounder maxims of civil government than were ever produced in any age before. Had it not been for America there had been no such thing as freedom left throughout the whole universe. … (W)e may justly stile it the most virtuous and illustrious revolution that ever graced the history of mankind."
But at the revolution's successful conclusion, in April 1783, he expressed a hope that remains relevant in 2020 and may not be as well remembered in the United States: "(M)ay she never forget that a fair national reputation, is as of much importance as independence … That it gives a dignity which is often superior to power, and commands a reverence where pomp and splendor fail."

[David Orphal · Rating 3 out of 5]

"These are the times that try men's souls..." Like most Americans, I knew the quote and the source, but not the entirety of Paine's essays and letters from his years serving in the American army under Washington.

Reading all thirteen of the Crisis series is like looking at the blog of an American Revolutionary War soldier. It's angry, it's self-justifying, it's personal.

Some essays in the Crisis are independent works, written for publication by American printers. Others take the forms of letters to General Howe, the British commissioners at New York, and the people of England.

Paine's essays give a clear, and compelling argument for American independence as well as a running record of his first-hand experiences during the losses and victories of Washington's army.

Paine's direct and eloquent writing make the essays easy to read for the modern scholar.

[Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is an excellent read for a contemporary feeling of the revolutionary generation of Americans it does get repetitive and long winded in parts. Several of the Crisis papers are brilliant but others are not. Thomas Paine was definitely one of the most passionate and gifted writers of the American Revolution and reading his works are worthwhile to tap into the feeling of the day.

Good for the historian readers out there.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well let me put it this way.
Read the Crisis I.
Then skip the rest unless you are a true scholar of history.
It is interesting especially to read in conjunction with a study of the American Revolution,
but I wouldn't suggest it for a good bedtime story.

Unless you're having trouble going to sleep.

[Clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy could write! Crisis #1 offered up such encouraging logic, that George Washington ordered it read aloud to his army. Paine repeatedly structured compelling arguments on a variety of issues, based on evidence and logic. But the most enjoyable parts for me were the insults he regularly hurled upon British generals and politicians. Some made me laugh out loud. With a combination of logic, wit and outright writing ability, Paine had to have been one of the smartest guys on this side of the Atlantic. Besides being one of the key documents contributing to the founding of our country, The Crisis offers unique combinations of logical argument and humor, still enjoyable 240 years later.

[Einzige · Rating 2 out of 5]

A series of short essays where Paine really shows his flair as a propagandist. The origin of a few famous quotes and something which has a rather pleasant fire to it. A very specific piece.

Quote of the book
There is not in the compass of language a sufficiency of words to express the baseness of your king, his ministry and his army. They have refined upon villany till it wants a name. To the fiercer vices of former ages they have added the dregs and scummings of the most finished rascality, and are so completely sunk in serpentine deceit, that there is not left among them one generous enemy.

[Reagan Faith Waggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the times that try mens’ souls.

If “Common Sense” jumpstarted the revolution, “the Crisis” played a major role in sustaining it. Powerful words as should be expected of Paine.

I enjoyed it, but to a lesser degree than I enjoyed “Common Sense.” Still, its historical significance should not be underestimated.

To argue with a man who has announced used in authority of reason, and his philosophy consists and holding humanity and content, it’s like administering medicine to the dad, or endeavoring to convert an atheist scripture. -Thomas Paine

We fight not to enslave, but to set a country free, and to make room upon the earth for honest men to live in. -Thomas Paine

[Alec Rockow · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language is tough to understand considering it was written in the 1770’s but it was interesting learning about the problems American’s faced back then. Hard to imagine a war taking place in America with foreign soldiers and battles in our country. Brother Paine makes me wish I could travel back in time to join the revolution and kick some British ass. “The pen of Thomas Paine was one of the most powerful weapons Americans possessed in their struggle for independence.”

Scoring it a 3.9 and moving forward I will leave a review for all the other books I read because if I don’t Sam will talk shit 👍

[Garbanzo Beans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paine says of America, “It is not every country (perhaps there is not another in the world) that can boast so fair an origin”. This book details that exact statement, of the founders defense against the tyranny of England. What saddens me the most is that we have fallen so far from this truth, and have ourselves become the tyrant. We are just like England now with a world wide influence meddling in affairs not our own and tyrannizing others. We must repent as a nation. This is a great read about the revolutionary era. I highly recommend it!

[Blaine Riesberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next to Larry Bird in the Trash Talk Hall of Fame, Thomas Paine rouses with his words a new nation to come to be. It is a cruel twist that Paine would be repulsed at many people who admire him today. I ain't going to sugar coat it, these are the times that try men's souls, as true as it ever was. It can be reinvigorating to read stuff like this. What exact Delawares we have yet to cross in our struggles I don't know, but I do know they will be cold, wide, and deep. We go into 2025 winter soldiering.

[Nathan Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The historical context was amazing here. You could really get a sense of how passionate people were about liberty and how the common individual felt a personal sense of responsibility regarding the proper development of a new country. I appreciated how the author really brought out most of the central issues to a wide variety of audiences. After studying this time period I felt like this really helped me get a better feel for how people were feeling throughout the American Revolution.

[Joshua LaDeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am shocked by how much of what Paine wrote in the 1770s and 1780s are so relevant today. One can literally apply what Paine says about the Tories and the British to MAGA and Trump today! We are in a modern American Crisis today and all Americans could learn so much about what liberty and freedom are really about and the sacrifices our Founders made to secure those rights. We should all have the courage to fight for our rights as they did!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great for riling people up in the American Revolution. If I was a soldier in Washington’s Army, and had this read to me, I would still be depressed from no food and bad shoes, but I would be uplifted enough to fight. There’s some great rhetoric in here.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually read this in the winter. Found myself reading it today which was a good change up. I found I was paying more thought to Paine’s Colonial assessment pieces rather than the Valley Forge / Philadelphia struggle stories or the immensely entertaining shit talking on Howe segments.