The American Crisis

The American Crisis was a series of pamphlets published from
1776 to 1783 during the American Revolution by eighteenth century enlightenment
Philosopher and author Thomas Paine. The first volume begins with the famous
words "These are the times that try men's souls". There were sixteen pamphlets
in total together often known as "The American Crisis" or simply "The
Crisis". Thirteen numbered pamphlets were published between 1776-1777 with
three additional pamphlets released between 1777-1783. The writings were
contemporaneous with the early parts of the American Revolution, during the
times that colonists needed inspiring.

They were written in a language the common man could manage and are
indicative of Paine's liberal philosophies. Paine signed them with one of his
many pseudonyms "Common Sense". The writings bolstered the morale of the
American colonists, appealed to the English people's consideration of the war
with America, clarified the issues at stake in the war and denounced the
advocates of a negotiated peace.

— Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.