The American Crisis by Thomas Paine

Written during the American Revolution, THE AMERICAN CRISIS laid out, in plain language, the causes and goals the patriots were fighting for. The writings also served to bolster American morale, clarify the issues at stake in the revolution, and argue against a negotiated peace to the end of the war on British terms. THE AMERICAN CRISIS begins with the famous words "[t]hese are the times that try men's souls."