Updated 2026 for the 250th anniversary of Common Sense The right book at the right time. - Shows how we got to where we are, and what we can do from here. - Tells why we need No Kings . “Thomas Paine rallied Americans to a new sense of themselves and their possibilities. Judah Freed does likewise for citizens of the planet.” -- BILL McKIBBEN – The End of Nature; The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon ; People’s Climate March. 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. Overview: Seasoned journalist and award-winning author Judah Freed updates and extends Common Sense by Thomas Paine: 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 revolution, Freed inspires interdependence and evolution. Main Idea: A global sense of our natural oneness or connectivity can guide us lo ive together mindfully in liberty. 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, we again need books to galvanize public support for democracy and global ecology. 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. “Judah Freed has taken the gauntlet from Thomas Paine and other great innovators of democracy to guide us toward the evolution of democracy itself. Making Global Sense is a vital and wonderful book, well written and inspired.” – Barbara Marx Hubbard , Conscious Evolution WATCH FOR AUDIOBOOK IN SPRING 2026 BOOK AWARDS : 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 - 2023 Nautilus Book Award - Memoir - 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Award - Culture - 2023 Dayton Literary Peace Prize - Nominee THE AUTHOR: Judah Freed is a seasoned journalist since 1976 who's written or edited 15 books that won 12 awards. His 50 years in journalism began with a decade covering Colorado, two decades pioneering coverage of interactive media for U.S. and European trade magazines, a decade covering Kauai, and today covering Colorado for a national news service. Judah serves on the Banned Books Week Coalition executive steering committee and the American Society of Journalists and Authors First Amendment committee. He's the founding editor of The Beacon for the Thomas Paine Historical Association. Judah earned a double BA in journalism and communication from the University Without Walls at Loretto Heights College. He did graduate research in communication through Antioch. "Thomas Paine rallied Americans to a new sense of themselves and their possibilities. Judah Freed does likewise for citizens of the planet." Bill McKibben, The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon; The End of Nature, Falter; ThirdAct.org; 350.org; People's Climate March "Judah Freed has taken the gauntlet from Thomas Paine and other great innovators of democracy to guide us toward the evolution of democracy itself. Making Global Sense is a vital and wonderful book, well written and inspired." Barbara Marx Hubbard , Conscious Evolution (re. first edition) "Making Global Sense is at once vast and tangible, disturbing and inspiring." Ocean Robbins, Transform Your World; Food Revolution Network, "Making Global Sense by Judah Freed is truly a masterpiece." Don E. Beck, Ph D, Spiral Dynamics "Making Global Sense is compelling in its ideas and wonderful in its personal elements!" Herb Goldberg, PhD , The Hazards of Being Male; The New Male; What Men Still Don't Know "Making Global Sense is a breakthrough book for people who care about their social and environmental impact in the world." John Macke y, Conscious Capitalism with Rajendra Sisodia, "Making Global Sense is clear-eyed and novel." Jules Pretty, OBE, The Edge of Extinction; Professor of Environment and Society, University of Essex JUDAH FREED is a seasoned journalist and award-winning author.with a story t