Thomas Paine: an intelligent man and an influential authorThomas Paine was an astonishing author who wrote "two of the most popular books of 18th century America ” as well as other influential pieces (Levine 681). Paine was a highly intelligent and remarkable individual who was unable to reach his immense potential due to England's repressive "hierarchical society". It was for this reason that he traveled to America and left a huge impact (Levine 681). In order to understand an author as influential as Paine, it is important to study his early life, some of his interesting associates, and the impact created by his writings (Levine 681). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'? Get an original essay As a young boy of eight in England, Paine was exposed to a Christian sermon so cruel that it made him “rebel”. forever” against certain religious beliefs (Levine 681-702). He would eventually become a deist who “fitted his political and social positions far more closely” than the Church of England (Fruchtman 23). Then, at the age of thirteen, Paine “apprenticed himself to his father to learn the trade” of making corsets (Fruchtman 23). He later became a master corset maker but was a “terrible businessman” (Fruchtman 23). Paine was curiously talented and taught himself many trades (Levine 681). As a young man, he held many jobs with varying skills, such as “tobacconist and grocer, school teacher and exciseman” (Levine 681). After unsuccessful attempts to change his status in England, he went to America (Levine 681). Once in America, with character letters from Ben Franklin in hand, he began his career as a journalist in Philadelphia (Levine 681). Before beginning his career in journalism, Paine was an “anti-slavery spokesperson” (Levine 681). When he began working as a journalist in Philadelphia, Paine wrote one of his most memorable articles, Common Sense (Levine 681). Because “Paine had made enemies,” he had these articles published anonymously (Onuf 239). This series of pamphlets was published with the aim of “urging immediate independence from Great Britain” (Levine 681). Although “some observers found his behavior reprehensible,” they shared his feelings because people's view of relations with England was at an all-time low (Onuf 239). The timing was right, and the pervasive momentum allowed the enormous sale of Common Sense to flourish “along the East Coast and into France, Germany, and England” (Levine 681). The widespread popularity of Common Sense as well as its follow-up series, The Crisis, helped to overturn Paine's perception and lead to numerous political appointments (Levine 681). However, it was not long before his angry nature, as well as his abuse of power, proved that he was unfit for public employment (Levine 681). In 1787, he returned to England where he wrote “his second most successful work,” entitled Rights of Man, which covers a “passionate plea against hereditary monarchy,” which he opposed at a very young age (Levine 681). literary works were strongly felt at a time when the army really needed to be strengthened. Paine may have exaggerated a bit when he described the Continental Army as "the greatest body of armed and disciplined men of any power under heaven," but it inspired the troops (Drake 196). The first crisis article entitled “These Are the Times That Try the Souls of Men” was believed to have been read to George Washington's troops and “contributed greatly to 681).