Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Amazon.com

Benjamin Franklin, writes journalist and biographer Walter Isaacson, was that rare Founding Father who would sooner wink at a passer-by than sit still for a formal portrait. What's more, Isaacson relates in this fluent and entertaining biography, the revolutionary leader represents a political tradition that has been all but forgotten today, one that prizes pragmatism over moralism, religious tolerance over fundamentalist rigidity, and social mobility over class privilege. That broadly democratic sensibility allowed Franklin his contradictions, as Isaacson shows. Though a man of lofty principles, Franklin wasn't shy of using sex to sell the newspapers he edited and published; though far from frivolous, he liked his toys and his mortal pleasures; and though he sometimes gave off a simpleton image, he was a shrewd and even crafty politician. Isaacson doesn't shy from enumerating Franklin's occasional peccadilloes and shortcomings, in keeping with the iconoclastic nature of our time--none of which, however, stops him from considering Benjamin Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age," and one of the most admirable of any era. And here's one bit of proof: as a young man, Ben Franklin regularly went without food in order to buy books. His example, as always, is a good one--and this is just the book to buy with the proceeds from the grocery budget. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

Benjamin Franklin is the founding father who winks at us, the one who seems made of flesh rather than marble. In this authoritative and engrossing full-scale biography, Walter Isaacson shows how the most fascinating of America's founders helped define our national character.

In a sweeping narrative that follows Franklin's life from Boston to Philadelphia to London and Paris and back, Isaacson chronicles the adventures of the spunky runaway apprentice who became, during his 84-year life, America's best writer, inventor, media baron, scientist, diplomat, and business strategist, as well as one of its most practical and ingenious political leaders. He explores the wit behind Poor Richard's Almanac and the wisdom behind the Declaration of Independence, the new nation's alliance with France, the treaty that ended the Revolution, and the compromises that created a near-perfect Constitution.

Above all, Isaacson shows how Franklin's unwavering faith in the wisdom of the common citizen and his instinctive appreciation for the possibilities of democracy helped to forge an American national identity based on the virtues and values of its middle class.

Download Description

"Benjamin Franklin is the Founding Father who winks at us. An ambitious urban entrepreneur who rose up the social ladder, from leather-aproned shopkeeper to dining with kings, he seems made of flesh rather than of marble. In bestselling author Walter Isaacson's vivid and witty full-scale biography, we discover why Franklin seems to turn to us from history's stage with eyes that twinkle from behind his new-fangled spectacles. By bringing Franklin to life, Isaacson shows how he helped to define both his own time and ours. He was, during his 84-year life, America's best scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, and business strategist, and he was also one of its most practical -- though not most profound -- political thinkers. He was the only man who shaped all the founding documents of America: the Albany Plan of Union, the Declaration of Independence, the treaty of alliance with France, the peace treaty with England, and the Constitution. And he helped invent America's unique style of homespun humor, democratic values, and philosophical pragmatism. But the most interesting thing that Franklin invented, and continually reinvented, was himself. America's first great publicist, he was, in his life and in his writings, consciously trying to create a new American archetype. In the process, he carefully crafted his own persona, portrayed it in public, and polished it for posterity. In this colorful and intimate narrative, Isaacson provides the full sweep of Franklin's amazing life, from his days as a runaway printer to his triumphs as a statesman, scientist, and Founding Father. He chronicles Franklin's tumultuous relationship with his illegitimate son and grandson, his practical marriage, and his flirtations with the ladies of Paris. He also shows how Franklin helped to create the American character and why he has a particular resonance in the twenty-first century. "

Customer Reviews:

Underwhelming.......2007-10-10

This biography had its moments, but Isaacson was far too enamored of Franklin, and did not present a balanced view. He was overly critical of Adams, but failed to be objectively critical of Franklin (or the other Founding Fathers) in return. Franklin is the Founding Father I'd most like to meet, but this biography is far too flattering, and really, rather dull. Isaacson is a serviceable writer, but does not make the story really come alive.

Franklin was ahead of his time.......2007-10-03

Many of the reviews already give the praise to this book that I would give. As I kept reading I found it amazing that this man was actually born 300 years ago. Many of his views are still so relevant today. I kept finding myself saying, "Yes, I totally agree with Franklin's opinion on that." I can imagine Franklin living in 2007 and being fascinated with things like the Internet and communication. However, I bet he would be the type of person who would still find time to write a letter and sit back and relax with some friends and tea which we so often fail to do today. Great book!

Great Book!.......2007-09-15

This bio was thoroughly enjoyable. I expected it to be informative and educational, but what I didn't expect was to be entertained. Franklin was a very complex man, both deep and shallow. He had very shallow relationships with his family, mainly his wife and son, very flirtaceous with other women, while being a deep thinker, an entrepreneur, American statesman, diplomat and genius. There's a lot of American history in the book with out being slow and boring.

I simply loved this book.

Thoroughly enjoyable........2007-09-13

I read elsewhere that Franklin was about 70 years of age before going to France as Embassador. He was quick witted to be sure but a bit unpredictable for his French caretakers. He left nothing for them in his will. Isaacson did a wonderful job of reporting on Frankin's irascible character.

Entertaining and Enlightening.......2007-08-29

Walter Issacson is a very meticulous and loquacious writer. I found myself looking for the dictionary while trying to decipher the meaning of his writing. The book is very verbose, very detailed, and gives an accurate and balanced view into Franklin's personal and political life.

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos

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A MOUSE TALE ON TWO CONTINENTS
Book Report - Ben and Me
Ben and Me
By Mr. Dude Man
Cornwall,NY sixth Grader

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos
Robert Lawson
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316517305

Amazon.com

In A New and Astonishing Life Of Benjamin Franklin As Written by His Good Mouse AMOS, young readers will discover that while the good Mr. Franklin got considerable credit, many of his most important contributions really originated with Amos, a less-than-humble rodent. Oh sure, his manuscript was found by author-editor Robert Lawson and published first in 1939, but discerning readers ever since have figured that it's the mouse who's the fellow with the ... tale. (For ages 10 and up with a sense of humor)

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

A MOUSE TALE ON TWO CONTINENTS.......2007-06-26

Lawson's 1939 spoof of the life of Benjamin Franklin in his elder years proves delightful literary fluff and a quick read for kids of all ages. It may even serve as a spring board to true history in middle school. This easy introduction to the Colonial era will entertain elementary schoolchildren with its mouse's eye view of Philadelphia and of France. Having decided to make his way in the world, though not too far from his extensive family who reside in penury in a church Vestry, Amos moves in with an inquisitive and enterprising older gent named Ben Franklin. Despite the vast difference in size--and seeming incompatibility of species--these two great minds are able to converse with ease.

The clever houseguest credits himself with much (unrecognized)
inspiration for the author of POOR RICHARD'S ALMANC. Amos shares his more opinions and suggestions on a variety of topics: the printing press, the portable stove, lightning, electricity--in fact he actually helps Ben prove that they are one and the same phenomenon. (Apparently spectacles were invented Before Amos moved in.) The only time their staunch friendship is seriously threatened is when Ben betrays mouse trust and his own word by using the little fellow in a dangerous meteorological experiment.

This humorous version of Ben's later years culminates in a mock preview of the French revolution (on a mouse scale, of course). The unfortunate result? the American diplomat was banned from the palace of Versailles, but what matter, so long as Sophia's family was rescued and reunited. It is truly amazing how mouse lives parallel human endeavor... By the time of Ben's 81st birthday Amos--ever the bachelor--is content to relax and enjoy the antics of the younger generation. He figures that Ben is old enough to manage his affairs pretty much on his own. The moral seems to be: When a man is not smart enough to assume the credit, a Mouse may boldly step in!

Book Report - Ben and Me.......2007-04-29

I read the book Ben and Me. This book is interesting. In the story, a lonely, rude, gray mouse named Amos finds Benjamin Franklin's house and sleeps in it. Amos becomes Benjamin's only pet and together they make their own, hot, big Franklin Stove. One cold, stormy, night Benjamin puts Amos on his big kite so Amos keeps getting shocked by lighting. Then, Amos and Benjaman go on a huge, wooden, brown ship to Paris and they become famous. A nice, pretty, girl rat named Sophia tells Amos that there are children stuck under the queen's throne. Amos calls all of the other mice in Paris to go save the children and together they do. I learned some interesting facts. I learned that Benjamin Franklin invented something called the Franklin Stove. I also learned that Benjamin Franklin had a gray mouse named Amos. Then, I learned that Benjamin loved inventing new machines. I would recommend this book for three reasons. First, I would recommend this book because it is well written with plenty of the adjectives. Second, I would recommend this book because it tells you a lot of information about Benjamin Franklin and his mouse Amos. Finally, I would recommend this book because it tells you what Benjamin Franklin liked to do when he was alive. Ben and Me is a great book to read.

Ben and Me.......2007-04-15

ISBN 0440420385 (which now belongs to another book) - Really well-done, tongue in cheek "biography" of Benjamin Franklin, a man who is "undeniably stupid at times", according to Amos, the mouse, whose brilliant ideas seem to be all that stand between Franklin and certain death with his crazy experiments.

Amos, oldest of 26 children, comes from a family of church mice. Knowing how hard it is to feed such a brood, Amos sets out to try to find some way to help his family and stumbles into the home of Ben Franklin. Ben is sneezing away in a room thick with smoke from the fireplace until Amos gives him almost every detail Ben needs to create the famous Franklin Stove. Thrilled to have such a great mind at hand, Franklin works out an agreement with Amos and the two go on living and working together. When the Revolutionary War takes a financial toll on Washington's army, the two go to France to borrow from the French and Amos is able, with a great deal of help, to save one beautiful female mouse named Sophia and her seven children. After this final adventure, Amos is ready to settle down to a quiet life in his old age and thinks Ben should, too.

The back cover says the book is for ages 8-12. I think it might be a little tough for 8 year olds, with a large number of big words, but it's amusing enough that an 8 year old might make the effort to learn the words and expand their vocabulary. For the parents who worry about every little word in every book their kid reads, there's a couple disparaging "stupids" and one sentence that has Ben Franklin "tossing off" a shot of brandy. For those who just want their kid to enjoy a book and learn new words, this one's WELL worth it.

By Mr. Dude Man.......2007-03-23

There are many boring, dull biographies on Benjamin Franklin. Then there is Ben and Me written by Robert Lawson, which is not the case. It is a Mr. Lawson calls it "A new and astonishing life on Benjamin Franklin as written by his good mouse AMOS."
It starts out in Philadelphia, where Amos, the oldest mouse of a huge family, leaves home in search of food and shelter. Bitterly cold, he stumbles upon Ben Franklin's house, goes inside and spots Ben Franklin's fur cap to warm up in. Ben notices him, but instead of shooting him, he enjoys Amos' company. After being together a little while Amos has already come up with a successful idea for an experiment for Ben, which was later named the "Franklin Stove".
Ben now thinks that this little mouse would be a great (talking) animal to have around the house for as an assistant. Next thing you know they are making an agreement where Ben will provide just what he was looking for ¬¬ food for him and food delivery for his family, plus the old warm fur hat to hang out in. And all the mouse has to do is hanging out and make comments, or as Ben calls it to "give advice."
It sounds like an ideal plan for Amos until two things happen. Ben takes up electrical experiments and Amos becomes the testing guinea pig. On one occasion Ben attempts to find out if lighting is electric. Amos was then strapped to a kite in the middle of a thunderstorm. He was up there for about a half hour to find out. His answer was `yes'.
It was a great book where Amos, the little mouse follows Ben through his life. I would recommend this book to anyone 6-10 years old.

Cornwall,NY sixth Grader.......2007-03-08

I am a sixth grader.The book I read was "Ben and Me".I find this book very interesting for the fact that such a well known inventor got ideas from a mouse.The mouses name was Amos.This is one of those books that if you read the first chapter,your going to want to read more.

This books is about Ben Fraklin and his best friend whom was a mouse named Amos.Amos lived in a broken down old christ church with twenty-six other kids in his family.This story takes place in the city of philadelphia.One day amos decided he had enough of his life.So he went out into the world and happend to go in Ben Franklins house.Amos and Ben become very good friends and bond alot because they only had each other.

This book tells a classic story.You should read it some time.

JP

The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

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A model citizen and person, not just for Americans
An absolute joy of a biography
Very informative
The Man Behind The Country
Not Only the First, but One of the Greatest

The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin
H.W. Brands
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385493282
Release Date: 2000-09-19

Amazon.com

Benjamin Franklin may have been the most remarkable American ever to live: a printer, scientist, inventor, politician, diplomat, and--finally--an icon. His life was so sweeping that this comprehensive biography by H.W. Brands at times reads like a history of the United States during the 18th century. Franklin was at the center of America's transition from British colony to new nation, and was a kind of Founding Grandfather to the Founding Fathers; he was a full generation older than George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry, and they all viewed him with deep respect. "Of those patriots who made independence possible, none mattered more than Franklin, and only Washington mattered as much," writes Brands (author of a well-received Teddy Roosevelt biography, T.R.: The Last Romantic). Franklin was a complex character who sometimes came up a bit short in the personal virtue department, once commenting, "That hard-to-be-governed passion of youth had hurried me frequently into intrigues with low women that fell in my way." When he married, another woman was already pregnant with his child--a son he took into his home and had his wife raise.

Franklin is best remembered for other things, of course. His still-famous Poor Richard's Almanac helped him secure enough financial freedom as a printer to retire and devote himself to the study of electricity (which began, amusingly, with experiments on chickens). His mind never rested: He invented bifocals, the armonica (a musical instrument made primarily of glass), and, in old age, a mechanical arm that allowed him to reach books stored on high shelves. He served American interests as a diplomat in Europe; without him, France might not have intervened in the American Revolution. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He possessed a sense of humor, too. In 1776, when John Hancock urged the colonies to "hang together," Franklin is said to have commented, "We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." Franklin's accomplishments were so numerous and varied that they threaten to read like a laundry list. Yet Brands pours them into an engrossing narrative, and they leap to life on these pages as the grand story of an exceptional man. The First American is an altogether excellent biography. --John J. Miller

Book Description

In the first comprehensive biography of Benjamin Franklin in over sixty years, acclaimed historian H. W. Brands brings vividly to life one of the most delightful, bawdy, brilliant, original, and important figures in American history.

A groundbreaking scientist, leading businessman, philosopher, bestselling author, inventor, diplomat, politician, and wit, Benjamin Franklin was perhaps the most beloved and celebrated American of his age, or indeed of any age. Now, in a beautifully written and meticulously researched account of Franklin's life and times, his clever repartee, generous spirit, and earthy wisdom are brought compellingly to the page.

His circle of friends and acquaintances extended around the globe, from Cotton Mather to Voltaire, from Edmund Burke to King George III, from Sir Isaac Newton to Immanuel Kant. Franklin was gifted with a restless curiosity, and his scientific experiments with electric currents and the weather made him the leading pioneer in the new field of electricity on both sides of the Atlantic; among his many inventions were the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and the harmonica, a musical instrument that became the rage of Europe.

From his humble beginnings in Boston as a printer's apprentice, he became, within two decades, the leading printer and one of the most important businessmen in the Colonies. A longtime Philadelphia civic leader, he created Philadelphia's first fire department, wrote the bestseller Poor Richard's Almanac, served as Postmaster General for the Colonies, and in the process, completely modernized the mail service. A bon vivant and ladies' man throughout his life, he matched wits with Parliament and the Crown during the decade leading up to the Stamp Act; and as the official agent to Parliament, representing several of the Colonies, he helped push the Colonies into open rebellion.

Tracing Franklin's gradual transformation from reluctant revolutionary to charismatic leader in the fight for independence, Brands convincingly argues that on the issue of revolution, as Franklin went, so went America. During the Revolutionary War, Franklin was charged by Congress with wooing the King of France to the American cause, and it was the diplomatic alliances he forged and funds he raised in France that allowed the Continental Army to continue to fight on the battlefield. In his final years, as president of the Constitutional Convention, it was Franklin who held together the antagonistic factions and persuaded its members to sign the Constitution.

Drawing on previously unpublished letters to and from Franklin, as well as the recollections and anecdotes of Franklin's contemporaries, H. W. Brands has created a rich and compelling portrait of the eighteenth-century genius who was in every respect America's first Renaissance man, and arguably the pivotal figure in colonial and revolutionary America. A fascinating and richly textured biography of the man who was perhaps the greatest of our Founding Fathers, The First American is history on a grand scale, as well as a major contribution to understanding Franklin and the world he helped to shape.

Customer Reviews:

A model citizen and person, not just for Americans.......2007-09-17

An apt title, as the book successfully shows Franklin to have possessed the spirit, work ethic, independence, secularism, tolerance, aptitude and passion that are so quinessentially American (or I should say, allegedly American).

True, the book did drag a bit, and at the least expected times---during the revolution!; I wearied of reading about the subtle seductions and other flirtations between Franklin and his various French hosts' wives. Even more laborious and frustrating was plodding through some of the actual writings themselves---all while conscious of far more riveting exploits occurring elsewhere---namely, the Revolution itself! Still, I was grateful to gain a fresh insight on the war, from the perspective of this unexpected but indispensable, behind-the-scenes hero.

On the whole, I did find the book very enjoyable and interesting. Reading about Franklin's life inspires emulation, however daunting and futile such an undertaking might be.

An absolute joy of a biography.......2007-08-20

This is a very impressive biography of a very important American. Brands does an absolutely woderful job in taking Franklin's unbelievably full and eventful life and organizing it in such a way that it is a fast and enjoyable read.

What makes for this to be such a fascinating biography is Franklin himself, a lot of which he himself wrote in his autobiography. Yet Brands does an amazing job of interweaving what others thought of Franklin through their correspondence with him and others, as well as telling the history that revolves around virtually everything that Franklin did. This is what has made this biography such an amazing read, because we are given such a complete and full picture of the man and era that we feel as though we are there with Franklin.

I can really find nothing bad with this biography, nor with Brands. He writes in such a way that you want to continue reading, which is the mark of good writing. I would definitely recommend both this book as well as this author to everyone. An absolute joy of a biograohy.

5 stars.

Very informative.......2007-07-10

very informative yet enjoyable read on the man many consider to be more infulential then any other single person in the creation of this country.

The Man Behind The Country .......2007-07-02

'The First American' is an amazing book about the most amazing character ever to live in America. Benjamin Franklin is the hands-down leader in the shaping and development of our U.S. country and culture. He is still the most well known scientist of our time. He also contributed to our winning of the Revolutionary War and the development of our democratic process that we hold dear. Our country owes him gratitude for his creation of libraries, universities, and fire fighting. We are touched everyday by his innovations in science. The list of his accomplishments goes on and on. Unfortunately, so does this book. I often found myself struggling to get through fluff and a writer who at times finds it necessary to be long-winded. Yet, this book confirmed my praise to a man that always deserves more credit. The only reason I am giving this book a four is that I believe that the normal American would have a difficult time finishing it. All Americans should read the life story of a man that helped develop the freedom that we cherish. It should be required reading in college, and it should fill high school libraries.

Not Only the First, but One of the Greatest.......2007-04-18

Engagingly written. Filled with insightful details. Altogether a splendid read! Should be on every American's reading list.

Benjamin Franklin's the Art of Virtue: His Formula for Successful Living

Average customer rating:

Love Ben Franklin
Timeless work
Great Buy
The "Right Way"
Looking for a mental challenge? Look no further.

Benjamin Franklin's the Art of Virtue: His Formula for Successful Living
Benjamin Franklin
Manufacturer: Acorn Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0938399101

Book Description

Benjamin Franklin's The Art of Virtue consists of a collection of Franklin's writings organized around his timeless philosophy on such topics as: goal setting and personal achievement, obtaining wealth and preserving health, human relations and family living, religion and morality, aging and dying, and much, much more.

Full of profound insights, delightful humor, quotable quotes, and plenty of common sense; The Art of Virtue provides wonderful reading for both young and old alike.

Customer Reviews:

Love Ben Franklin.......2007-01-24

Great book on Benjamin Franklin's life. This book will make you a better person. Read it and digest it.

Timeless work.......2006-03-29

When you look at the cover and the preface, the book may appear to be written by Benjamin Franklin, but that is somewhat misleading. Sure, the essence of the book comes from the writings of B.F., but the editor of the book has also done a great job of putting a collection of writings by Franklin into an excellent structure.

Twelve virtues are identified answering key questions about the source of happiness, how to attain it, and many other important aspects of life. Each virtue is supported by B.F.'s writings. I especially liked the summaries at the end of each chapter that would emphasize the essential points of the corresponding virtue.

This is a very accessible book, and a great companion for anyone who thinks life should be more than pursuing selfish goals and satisfying petty pleasures.

Perhaps, this work is more useful in understanding B.F.'s wisdom than his autobiography, which is another great classic.

I was slightly confused as to why the book was presented to be merely a book by B.F., given that the editor has contributed quite a bit in terms of organization and explanations. Perhaps to improve the sales?

In any event, this is a great work that, I bet, will improve the perspective of anyone who reads it actively.

Great Buy.......2002-12-05

An inspiring book written by an amazing author. Ok, so he is my dad, but he didn't pay me to say any of this stuff:)

The "Right Way".......2000-10-17

A book like this should be mandatory reading for everyone. Particularly people who represent other people's interests for a living, such as World Leaders, Presidents, Kings, etc., would find it absolutely useful; a kind of constant tool, a compass that keeps them on the right track once and again. This is a book that shows not only Franklin's wit and wisdom, but also his vulnerability, that wonderful human quality, thus making it enchanting and insightful. Buy this book, learn and practice these principles, and enjoy the new breath of fresh air you'll experience in your life.

Looking for a mental challenge? Look no further........2000-04-03

I saw this book one day when I was browsing Franklin Covey planners in the mall. It had been awhile since I read something not business related so I thought I'd give this a shot. I'll be honest when I tell you I enjoy a good read but this book took me about one year to read from beginning to end. The first few chapters weren't too bad but then it got into a section about a debate between two philosophers on the definition of virtue and why one should practice a virtuous life. I've never read anything that mentally straining in my life (my degree is in Mechanical Engineering BTW). I enjoy the arts but that one section took me about a month before I could fully digest what the philosophers were saying in the span of less than 2 pages. This one section proved so enlightening that my head hurt for about 2 days after I had a chance to chew on the content. If you had any doubts that the founding forefathers of this great nation were anything but geniuses, this should dispell any and all myths. I must say that I even had to break out the dictionary for some of the diction used in this book in that it was definitely not your everyday conversational english. If you enjoy mental challenges of a higher level and your mastery of the English language is proficient enough to understand the fine nuances of sentence structure and double, sometimes triple meanings, I would recommend this book. If you're looking for something a little more entertaining and easier on the mind, then definitely look somewhere else. But I will admit, when I did finally complete this book one year later, I actually felt a major sense of accomplishment. I guess that makes me just a little more virtuous?

Average customer rating:

Cicero Knows!
Cicero the Man

On A Life Well Spent
Cicero
Manufacturer: Levenger Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1929154232

Customer Reviews:

Cicero Knows!.......2007-05-25

I thoroughly enjoyed this great piece of literature & ageless philosophy. His wisdom shows that aging is a delightful treat....if you've spent your younger years wisely.

Cicero the Man.......2007-02-23

I am a huge fan of Cicero and have read many of his speeches and other writings. He is easily one of the most interesting people in the Ancient World and what sets him apart is how modern he is in his opinions and perspectives. However, this is not Cicero at his best. This was written shortly before his murder and is a series of short essays reflecting on growing old. It is written in a gossipy style and he is clearly writing for his contemporaries and references people and events with the expectation that the reader is familiar with these people and events.

The translation by Franklin was retained so the spelling and capitalization is that of the 18th Century which can be a little distracting, but the notes by James Logan were appended in the back of the book and in many ways are more interesting than Cicero's writings. Neverheless, Cicero has much to say that is worth saying and just as worthwhile today as it was when he wrote it.

This is a paper back book but exceedingly well done, with an embossed cover and high quality paper. At $49 I think it is rather pricey and I confess I got my copy as a gift. I gave this book four stars because of the distracting spelling, but I did enjoy the book.

Life and Letters of John Brown (Notable American Authors)

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Life and Letters of John Brown (Notable American Authors)
Franklin Benjamin Sanborn
Manufacturer: Reprint Services Corp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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The personal side of an extraordinary man

My Life With Benjamin Franklin
Claude-Anne Lopez
Manufacturer: Diane Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

This book consists of 18 charming, incidental essays--some serious, some light--that recount hitherto unknown anecdotes of Franklin's life and Ms. Lopez's experiences of unearthing them. Though a few of the pieces have been previously published or presented as speeches, most are new. Ms. Lopez has included brief personal introductions to each of the essays, relating her reasons for writing them and in the process threading the various pieces together. This well-written book should be altogether appealing to the general reader interested in Franklin and American history.

Customer Reviews:

The personal side of an extraordinary man.......2001-02-02

The group of men who wrote the constitution of the United States comprised the greatest collection of political geniuses the world has ever seen. With incredible insight into the weaknesses of human political structures, the checks and balances in the constitution provide a system of counterweights that make up a very stable government. While not generally considered among the leading tier of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin was present at the creation and made significant contributions.
In many ways he is also a model for the American ideal of the self-made man. He rose from poverty to become a writer, editor, publisher, inventor, scientist and diplomat. He charmed many of the leading figures of France so much that it entered the war of independence on the side of the colonies. Granted that there were many reasons for France to come to the aid of America in its war with Britain. However, it is quite possible that it would not have happened without the expert diplomacy of Franklin.
This book is the result of a search through his private correspondence. Therefore, it is a description of his personality as he communicates with friends, business and diplomatic colleagues; relatives and acquaintances. It appears that Franklin was quite a ladies man as well. There are hints that he had numerous affairs, although given the style of his letters, it is possible that his high degree of politeness could be mistaken for something deeper. The results depict a man very much of the world, one where life was slower and personal relationships were more significant.
It is unfortunate that political rivalries and geopolitical realities combined to lower his standing after the military victory that led to independence. Disputes arose with George Washington and John Adams that were no doubt political in origin. Franklin had both the domestic and international prestige to be considered presidential material, with only his advanced age as a hindrance.
The real problems were the geopolitical and geosocial realities. America was an offshoot of British culture, so once the severance was complete the natural affinity reasserted itself. Britain was also the supreme maritime power and America was a small nation consisting mostly of seacoast and the Canadian colony was on the northern border. Therefore, friendship with Britain was essential to the survival of the new nation. Franklin represented an alliance that was no longer critical, so as the political wind shifted, he found himself pushed aside. Until I read this book, I was unaware of the animosities that existed between Franklin and some of the other founders of the new nation.
Benjamin Franklin is the American model of the Renaissance man and his contributions to the success of the revolution are not to be underestimated. In reading the summaries of his personal correspondence, I found it clear that he is a person that you would have liked very much to converse with and would have considered yourself graced to have been his friend.

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Giblin and Dooling Create A Masterpiece!
Beautifully written and illustrated tale of a great hero

The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin
James Cross Giblin
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439810655

Book Description

Benjamin Franklin was one of seventeen children, and the youngest of 10 sons. To help out with the family, he was put to work when he was 10 years old in his father's candle and soap-making shop. Ben hated making soap and candles. Since he was smart and a good speller and he loved to read, he later went to work in his brother's print shop as an apprentice. He read book after book, and soon began to write himself. By 18, he moved to Philadelphia where he eventually openend his own print shop. By age 28 he published "Poor Richard's Almanac," a best seller in Colonial America.

Customer Reviews:

Giblin and Dooling Create A Masterpiece!.......2000-06-09

Giblin and Dooling have collaborated to make a perfect picture book biography. Roy Goodman's (leading Ben Franklin historian) expertise makes this book a wealth of information that can assist children in the writing of school reports. This book is so rich with detail. The fact that there is an Illustrator's Note by Dooling makes this a real candidate for at least a Caldecott Honor. I have visited Dooling's web site and now plan to purchase a sketch or original painting from this book! Outstanding!

Beautifully written and illustrated tale of a great hero.......2000-04-08

What famous person helped start the first library in the American colonies? Who also helped to establish the first fire department in the American colonies? Who helped establish the first hospital in Philadelphia? Who first proved the electricity and lightning were one and the same thing? Even if you didn't guess right, you will probably agree that the man who did all of these things, plus a whole lot more, had to be a very interesting fellow. And he was. In THE AMAZING LIFE OF BEN FRANKLIN, James Cross Giblin tells us all about it. Ben was born in Boston, the youngest of ten sons, and one of seventeen children. When he was ten years old, he started helping out in his father's soap and candlemaking shop, and he absolutely hated it. His father then apprenticed him to his brother, a printer, and printing turned out to be one of the many things that Ben loved to do. In fact, on his tombstone, that is all he wanted said-B. Franklin, a printer. But we all know now that Ben turned out to be one of the most famous and most beloved people in American history-and this is his story. There are great color illustrations. This is the best possible introduction to our own beloved Ben Franklin.

Atlantic Cousins: Benjamin Franklin and His Visionary Friends

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Vivid Portraits of Franklin's Friends and Influences
A time when politicians were honorable

Atlantic Cousins: Benjamin Franklin and His Visionary Friends
Jack Fruchtman Jr.
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution

ASIN: 1560256680

Book Description

Ben Franklin was at the heart of the Enlightenment. He drew to him some of the greatest minds of that time, people who remain among the most intriguing in history—Americans, Englishmen, and Frenchmen whose ideas continue to shape how we live to this day. Through engaging anecdotes and short histories, Atlantic Cousins includes intimate portraits of Franklin and Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Voltaire, the Marquis de Condorcet, Georges-Jacques Danton, Camille Desmoulins—and their arch-enemy, William Cobbett, an unrelenting monarchist and anglophile. Plenty of illustrations and maps complement the material.

Aside from the colorful personalities, author Jack Fruchtman documents developments from Thomas Paine's smokeless candles to the founding of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia; the debate that led to the Declaration of Independence; the abolitionist movement both in America and abroad; and Paine's Rights of Man. Atlantic Cousins shows just how Ben Franklin and his circle of friends shaped this unique and remarkable period in history.

Customer Reviews:

Vivid Portraits of Franklin's Friends and Influences.......2006-08-21

The fresh approach of this fine series of short biographies of Benjamin Franklin's international collection of friends and influences is an excellent supplement for anyone who has read a book about Franklin and wants a wider point of view. Last year I read Walter Isaacson's bestselling book on Franklin, but realized that the great man didn't exist in a vacuum and I wanted to read more about some of the diverse circle of great minds around the world who helped shape Franklin's genius. This book provided exactly what I wanted.

A time when politicians were honorable.......2005-10-18

This book was one of the most intriguing, intellectually stimulating, and inspiring that I've ever read. Prof. Fruchtman weaves his profound knowledge of history with entertaining stories, historical facts, and details. The result is a genuine page-turner.

You will read this book amazed at how selfless and societal-thinking the great men and women of the 18th century were. They were true visionaries, and it is a way of thinking that we all must try and return to.

Ben Franklin's Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman's Life

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knowledge
You can pick it up and dip into the pages at random.
A lively coverage for kids with good reading skills
Richie's Picks: BEN FRANKLIN'S ALMANAC
A Truly Renaissance Man

Ben Franklin's Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman's Life
Candace Fleming
Manufacturer: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0689835493

Book Description

"What good shall I do today?"

How Ben Franklin answered that question -- through his work as a writer, printer, statesman, and inventor -- forever established him as one of America's greatest figures. On one day in 1729 he published the first edition of the Pennsylvania Gazette; on another day he changed the Declaration of Independence by adding the famous words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident"; and it was all in a day's work when he planted the first willow trees in America.

Modeled on his own Poor Richard's Almanack, this unique scrapbook captures Franklin's countless accomplishments. Biography and anecdote, cartoon and etching mesh to create a fascinating portrait of this most fascinating man. Anyone interested in the birth of American democracy...or curious about the rise of the U.S. postal system...or wondering how paper money came to be...or wanting to know how Ben Franklin was part of it all, is sure to pore over Ben Franklin's Almanac.

Customer Reviews:

knowledge.......2006-03-21

Excellent book!!!
I learned so much from this book, and I bought it for my kids. I would recommend it to any one.

You can pick it up and dip into the pages at random........2004-07-02

It isn't often that we are lucky enough to learn about a man who had the curiosity of a child and the mind of a genius, who loved learning and was able to find humor in all types of situations. Benjamin Franklin was such a man.

Candace Fleming allows us to explore Franklin's extraordinary life in a new way. She has chosen to present Franklin's life in the form of a scrapbook or almanac, rather than a traditional biography. Franklin in fact gained a good portion of his original popularity by publishing an almanac himself titled POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC. It is perhaps only fitting that his life be presented in the form of an almanac as well.

It is quite astonishing to discover within the pages of this remarkable book how much Franklin accomplished in his lifetime. In addition to his electrical experiments involving kites, Franklin organized the first real postal system in the thirteen colonies, printed the first paper money, and saw years before anyone else that the American Revolution was going to happen. He also recognized that slavery would be an issue that would not go away; he knew that one day it would be a problem for the people of the United States.

One of the wonderful things about this book is that you can pick it up and dip into the pages at random --- and once you pick it up, you cannot put it down. Resembling an almanac or scrapbook with an old-fashioned looking script, pictures, photographs, copies of letters and other documents, BEN FRANKLIN'S ALMANAC is a refreshing new look at the life of one of America's greatest men. We are able to marvel and sometimes smile at the things Benjamin Franklin did and said. Surely, such a lover of books would be proud of this gem.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber

A lively coverage for kids with good reading skills.......2003-12-14

This account of Franklin's life holds a little over a hundred pages, and has good large print and fine pictures to offset the many words from Franklin's own almanac which offers a scrapbook of his accomplishments. Modeled on his Poor Richard's Almanack but revised for younger audiences, this blends biography and observation with cartoons, etchings, and other illustrations to create a lively coverage for kids with good reading skills.

Richie's Picks: BEN FRANKLIN'S ALMANAC.......2003-12-01

"Ben's Rules for Being a Better Writer
"Everyone, Ben believed, had a need to communicate well. Over the years he developed and stuck to these writing rules.
"Good writing should be smooth, clear, and short, and the art of saying little in much must be avoided at all costs. In written discourse, every needless thing gives offense and must be eliminated...Had this always been done, many large and tiresome volumes would have shrunk into pamphlets, and many a pamphlet into a single period."

It seems like a stream of new Benjamin Franklin biographies make their appearance as steadily as the changing of the seasons. That perception has caused my building a healthy skepticism concerning the need for just one more. But Candace Fleming has taken Ben's writing rules to heart. Less is more in BEN FRANKLIN'S ALMANAC, Fleming's continually entertaining and enlightening collection of quotes, anecdotes, illustrations, American history, and other tasty tidbits (including the occasional fish story) that the author has harvested from original source materials.

Rather than assembling a typical chronological tome, Fleming has grouped this assortment of goodies into an eye-catching patchwork format that is clumped around eight themes: Boyhood Memories, The Family Album, The Writer's Journal, Tokens of a Well-Lived Life, The Scientist's Scrapbook, Revolutionary Memorabilia, Souvenirs from France, and Final Remembrances.

"All his life Ben tried to do what was right. His daily routine reminded him to put mankind's problems before his own.
"I rose at five each morning, and addressed Powerful Goodness [Ben's name for God] with the same question: What Good Shall I Do Today? I then studied and planned my day until eight, worked until twelve, dined and overlooked my account books until two, worked again until six when I had supper, music and conversation. At ten I examined my day. What Good Had I Done That Day?"

Not that he was perfect, or anything. As Ben noted, "With regards to places for things, papers, etc., I am a dismal failure." And as Fleming reveals, while his genius included his being credited for so many important inventions including bifocals, he nonetheless lacked the vision to see that women should be accorded the same opportunities and rights as men:

"When his young friend Polly Stevenson talked of devoting herself to studying philosophy, Ben was appalled. 'Knowledge may be useful,' he warned her, 'but there is nothing of equal dignity and importance than being a good daughter, a good wife, a good mother.' Ben wondered why women needed the 'full Pandora's box of knowledge' opened to them. Instead, he argued, women should be taught useful and functional skills--reading, writing, and accounting. This, he claimed, 'stood them in good stead to be active, helpful partners in their husband's business.' "

And, speaking of errors, "Ben once invited a group of friends to an 'electrical picnic.' He planned to kill a turkey by 'electrical shock,' then roast it with 'electrical fire.' Unfortunately, he became so engrossed in conversation he forgot to pay close attention to what he was doing. He touched two wires together and zap! Ben received the shock instead of the turkey. His body vibrated from head to toe, and smoke curled from one buckled shoe. Luckily, he escaped with just a few bruises and a sore chest."

Through the accumulated pieces of her collection, the author succinctly covers the well-trod life-of-Franklin: Ben's printing career, centered on his 26 years as writer and publisher of the annual Poor Richard's Almanack (the second-most read book in the Colonies), would by itself have insured Franklin's immortality. Then that aspect of his life was topped by the jaw-dropping string of inventions coupled with his instigation of public libraries, street lamps, quality postal service, and volunteer fire departments, which made him even more famous. And then, his involvement--the old guy with the fire in his belly--in producing the Declaration of Independence, followed by his pivotal role in the winning of the Revolution by persuading France to enter the fray when Washington's troops were on the verge of defeat, elevated Franklin to American sainthood. If that wasn't enough, he returned to America and (at 81 years old) helped formulate the Constitution.

But he STILL wasn't done!

"Saint" Ben had at one time been a slave owner. But while in England in the years preceding the Revolution, Franklin "found himself trying to defend America against charges of hypocrisy." He had freed his slaves, observed "firsthand 'the natural capacities of the black race,' " and then, after ratification of the Constitution, he petitioned Congress on the subject of slavery:

"Noting Congress had been created to 'promulgate the welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to the People of the United States,' he argued that this should be done 'without distinction of color,' since all people are created by the 'same Almighty Being, alike the objects of his care and equally designed for the enjoyment of happiness.' To tolerate less, Franklin argued, 'was to contradict the meaning of the Revolution.' "

If only Ben could have hung around for another decade in order to persuade the new nation of this argument, we might have had him to thank for the success of one more of his great ideas.

But thanks to the fine work of Candace Fleming, we at least have a thoroughly satisfying "true account of the good gentleman's life," as well as one more important piece of ammunition in my argument that a real love and understanding of American history will much more readily come from trade books of this caliber than from standardized textbooks.

A Truly Renaissance Man.......2003-11-04

This book is a terrific account of Ben Franklin's life and achievements. As a teacher this text by Candace Fleming is chalkfull of information that is interesting to my fifth grade students. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

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