HomeGlenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine |
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414 of 613 found the following review helpful:
 Beck makes his point, but misses Paine's Reasoning. Aug 31, 2009
By Alan Smithee
"Reason..."
As a fan on Thomas Paine (especially Common Sense and Age of Reason), I was very much excited to read Beck's book. After the first few chapters, I realized there is almost NO connection at all to Paine's work. It seems that it is more of marketing ploy to attach one's name to Paine and use a famous title of Paine's work that inspired a nation, to generate book sales. That initial frustration got me off to a bad start. That is of course in no way reflects Beck's view or his writing. However, I was "fooled" thinking this was a revisit of that classic work "Common Sense" to modern times. Unfortunately the book, other than title, has little if any connection to Paine's work.
Ironically - for those unfamiliar to Paine's work, but a fan of Becks - I wonder how they would find Paine's "Age of Reason" - it would almost stand to reason that he would lose half (if not more) of his supporters if he visited "Age of Reason" - he might even lose his show on Fox. Note any reference to that work is completely devoid in this book (which is a shame - if it where REALLY a tribute or inspiration of Paine - which I begin to wonder.)
However, are we to judge or compare Paine to Beck? Of course not and this certainly is NOT even close to measuring up to any of Paine's works. But the question is it worth the read?
Beck's writing is very weak and many cases repetitive. Not able to grasp tangible arguments he sometimes ventures down ad hominem methods - which lower the value of his arguments. It is important to note that regardless if I agree or disagree with some of this points, his methods and suspicions are conjecture and rudimentary. The connections to past affiliations can lead to suspicion, but certainly does not make the case. It's is logical in approach, but fails in Reason - and that is probably the greatest flaw in Beck's work (as compared to Paine).
Paine used "reason", not just logic to forward his view and arguments, Beck falls flat in this regard. Beck's approach is simple (and I hate to say, but kindergarten) logic. If X is Y, and Y is Z, then Z must be X. On the surface you can make some very stunning conclusions, but the logic is flawed by reason - (unfortunately).
I say unfortunately because Beck has some important points to make and does bring dialogue to the table as per the state of our federal government. This is an important debate as to where we are going, what our future holds, what is the role of the government. However, his ability to string a fluid thought process together with not just logic, but also reason, in order to give weight to his message fails. It is geared way below the bar and is so embarrassingly written for such an important topic that he does his view a disservice.
Beck's problem is not his message, it's his delivery. It reads poorly and a ranting narrative trying to connect minutia based on logic. It most certainly will charge both the left and right (just like his show), but don't expect intelligent debate.
5 stars for a rehash of Beck's message, introducing people to a great and important work (Common Sense). If you love his delivery and his message - then by all means - purchase this book.
1 star for offering any intelligent debate that goes beyond a basic dot-to-dot connection on some frivolous examples. I really wanted this to be an inspirational book, but it significantly falls flat. Unfortunatly it reads as if the town jester is giving an inspiring message.
-5 (that's negative) stars - for making any connection to one of the most important works in U.S. political history, "Common Sense". I would suggest reading "Common Sense", "Age of Reason", "Federalist Papers", and "Anti-Federalist Papers" - to see not only how logic and reason collectively work together, but to gain insight as to what Beck is TRYING to accomplish in this very rudimentary work. At the very least he brings awarness.
The book should be called "Beck's Sense" (logic without reason)
This great quote by Paine explains why the book fails to deliver its important message:
"The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is Reason. I have never used any other, and I trust I never shall."
Reviewers Politics: Libertarian/ Laissez Faire
46 of 68 found the following review helpful:
Has Beck read Paine? Jul 04, 2010
By J. P. Craig
I've read Paine's work. The version of Paine provided by Beck and his friends is not the real thing. Beck's beliefs not only have little to do with Paine; they are in many respects the exact of opposite of Paine's beliefs. Paine was an opponent of revealed religion (Christianity is a revealed religion). He advocated redistribution of wealth, and he regarded private ownership of land as an abomination. He believed that children should receive a government stipend funded by taxes. And he believed that all adult men should receive quite a large stipend funded from taxes--to compensate for the fact that the wealthy owned so much land. I encourage others to read Paine's writings and perhaps to read Eric Foner's Tom Paine and Revolutionary America. He is a great radical, not a petty reactionary.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Come on Glenn Oct 10, 2011
By Trib
Glenn Beck (I love you man... in a strictly plutonic way of course...) is here, unflatteringly describing Thomas Paine as though he were a righ wing republican instead of what he is: A Libertarian... Common Glenn, you can do better than that!
67 of 101 found the following review helpful:
 Very Good Aug 20, 2009
By A. Coon
"wbustudent09"
Glenn Beck's book is very well written, and makes a lot of sense. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about U.S. history and also for those who want to get a clear view of how our government is growing out of control. This is not a conservative or liberal book, rather it is a book based on values and equal time of criticism is granted to both sides of the aisle. A must read!!
147 of 222 found the following review helpful:
 Good but... Jun 23, 2009
By Oni Hanzo
I agree with the basic libertarian message of this book and I do enjoy the current information he provides on how politicians are basically ruining our nation with their pork spending and SELF entitlement programs. But Revolution by Ron Paul achieves the same in a much more sophisticated and aggressive manner.
I do believe that Beck's pacifist spin at the beginning of the book is also a bit too much (he doesn't need to convince everyone about his good intentions, since ANY book can theoretical incite violence and you would have a right to write it anyway in a 'free country').
If we should see it as a manifesto that somehow compares to the original one from Thomas Paine (Beck's laudable intention), it indeed falls a short (which I bet that he honestly can admit).
Nonetheless, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with the intention of the book, and if you are new to political thought and are just finding out that all governments are sleazy (wow if you do!), then this work is for you. If you are, on the other hand, a seasoned student of political theory, and have also a copy of Revolution by Ron Paul (which is also a very basic book but much better), then you can skip Beck and still fight for the same principles (with a bit more information).
In the end, I do hope this book continues on the top, since the basic ideals of Beck are better than the ones any politicians advocates in Washington.
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