What did the British think of Paine's 'Common Sense'?

Answer 1

Common Sense was attacked by many loyalist writers of the time. One of the more famous examples was the pamphlet entitled Plain Truth written by Lt. Col. James Chalmers under the pen name "Candidus" in 1776.

Paine's views were attacked as "quackery" by Chalmers and dismissed as a matter of course. Oddly enough, while Paine wrote in a manner that attracted the attention and admiration of the common men and women of the time, Chalmers rebuttal pamphlet was basically "preaching to the choir" of the loyalists who needed no encouragement to hold fealty to the crown.

It was this stark difference that made the writing of Paine all the more relevant to the average colonist.

Hope that helps you.

Answer 2

The British were outraged and felt Americans were ungrateful and that we betrayed Great Britain.

Answer 3

One of the greatest books ever written. I have a copy on my desk and refer to it often.

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 64,543 in Books

So a lot of Brits have purchased it but they have purchased The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason more often...