The masthead
About the journal
An independent editorial journal that takes the past seriously.
The Paine Truth publishes long-form essays on history, civic life, and political thought. The premise is simple. When a public question feels new, it’s worth looking at how people faced a version of it before, what they could see from where they stood, and what they missed.
Why the name?
It’s a play on Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and the phrase “the plain truth.” The pamphlet tradition is an invitation to write clearly about public matters and to give readers enough evidence to argue back.
How the essays are sourced
The essays draw on historical evidence and distinguish the record from the author’s interpretation. Endnotes point to the material behind a claim, including primary documents where available and scholarship that helps put them in context.