Additional information
by Judah Freed (Author), Thomas Paine (Based on a Book by)
Updated 2026 for the 250th anniversary of Common Sense
- The right book at the rig time.
- Shows why we need No Kings.
- Tells how we got to where we are, and what we can do from here.
IN THESE TRYING TIMES of climate change and rising despotism that threatens to end democracy, Making Global Sense revives the ideas and ideals of Thomas Paine to champion 21st century freedom and enlightenment. The book offers sensible reasons for hope.
Overview: Seasoned journalist and award-winning author Judah Freed updates and extends Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Freed builds on Paine's structure and logic: to argue for adopting a global sense of natural oneness or connectivity to guide out crucial choices in today's crisis. A global sensibility, rooted in reason, grounds the hope needed to do the daily personal growth and social change work that together can repair our world.
- Where Paine challenged monarchy and hereditary succession, Freed challenges ancient alpha male rule and authority addiction (hidden by split perceptions).
- Where Paine proposed the first modern republic, Freed proposes mindful self rule, personal democracy and direct republics.
- Where Paine inspired independence and rviolent evolution, Freed inspires interdependence and peaceful evolution, now..
Why Thomas Paine? Back in 1776, Paine's pivotal Common Sense galvanizing public support for the American Revolution. Without his essay, the colonial rebellion against the king would have failed. Paine changed how people made since of their world, and so the world changed. In today's world of wannabe kings denying climate change an human rights, we again need books to galvanize public support for global ecology and honest democracy.
Creative Nonfiction: Balancing mind and heart, Judah Freed frames his essay within the memoir survival story behind the book. He narrates childhood abuse, school bullying; joining a cult at age 20, fleeing at 24, facing his authority addiction to choose self rule. He recalls ego follies in later decades of local to international journalism with world travel adventures, like landing in Fiji amid a coup. Judah shares his soul choice as an elder to survive cancer, so he can finish this book.
WATCH FOR AUDIOBOOK IN SUMMER 2026
BOOK AWARDS:
- 2023 Nautilus Book Award - Memoir
- 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Award - Culture
- 2024 Visionary Book Awards - Rising to the Challenge
- 2024 Visionary Book Awards - Earth Changes
- 2024 Visionary Book Awards - Social Justice.
- 2024 Colorado Evvy Book Award - Social Issues
