“The first book to belong permanently to literature. It created a man.” 
— From the Introduction

Few men could compare to Benjamin Franklin. Virtually self-taught, he excelled as an athlete, a man of letters, a printer, a scientist, a wit, an inventor, an editor, and a writer, and he was probably the most successful diplomat in American history. David Hume hailed him as the first great philosopher and great man of letters in the New World.

Written initially to guide his son, Franklin’s autobiography is a lively, spellbinding account of his unique and eventful life. Stylistically his best work, it has become a classic in world literature, one to inspire and delight readers everywhere.

Book Review:  ★★★★★★

Ok — in being fully honest with myself, and my readers, I have to admit that this is not a book I would have voluntarily picked up on my own.  However, as an English assignment in the what seems like eternal quest for my bachelor’s degree, this was on the required reading assignments for this semester.  Frequently my approach to American revolutionary literature is something I have avoided.  Not because I don’t find it valid, and even insightfully important.  But, I think it is more of an issue of over exposure.  Like that from my religious history background — it gets so overused in quotes, references, dogma, and politics — usually by people trying to twist the simple messages into points for their own arguments — that I get frustrated with trying to simply read and think for myself. 

So, when I started reading this book I found that I was surprised at several of my responses.  Yes, I still felt frustration at the phrases that so many people have used, mainly from Franklin’s almanac publications.  I really get irritated with those trite phrases and simple points of logic that — at Franklin’s time were probably novel, and useful.  However, in today’s society we have heard them so often, and in so many forms that they just don’t carry the same meaning they did when first written.  But once I actually got into the autobiography, and political writings, I found that there was a whole world there that is as important, and true today as the first time they were written. 

Franklin’s wit, and ironic satyr is what comes through the loudest.  While reading this book, it is easy to see why Franklin was considered not only a dangerous man, but a loveable one as well.  I found myself thinking that my response, at first reading, was probably the same thing that the British thought when they first encountered his writings.  They are amusing anecdotes, and personal insights that are valuable for all men to understand — and therefore, while not dangerous, at least entertaining in format. 

However, upon deeper reflection, the reader comes away with the impression that this was a man that was politically savvy, and highly intelligent.  Not only did he understand the times he lived in, and the radical ideas that he helped engendered in this wayward set of colonies — but he had a unique insight into the understanding of men, and human nature.  He knew how to communicate to them his messages in a non-threatening, and even entertaining way, so as to make the same statements that would eventually mark Thomas Paine as a traitor, and earn him the sobriquet of “The Firebrand of the Revolution.”  And yet, Franklin was able to work and live outside of the United States for extended periods at a time during a time that any chance to capture and convict traitors to the crown was a very real possibility. 

There is also an element of passion in the subdued approach in Franklin’s down to earth presentation of life in revolutionary America.  This volatile era of political upheaval comes through as a dangerous and even character defining era.  It is evident to see why so many strong personalities were defined in this rapidly changing society.  And it is even more insightful to see that there were varying degrees of changing opinion in a much longer period of time than most realize that ranged from outright loyalty to the British crown, all the way through a complete declaration of independence.  And what is most interesting about this insight is that Franklin never got around to writing about his activities during the actual revolution, or the controversial years just preceding it.  For this reason, the reader comes away realizing that the ideas that are presented in all of the American history classes were much more protracted, and drawn out than is actually portrayed in most writing of modern authors. 

This is a book that is a fascinating read for several reasons, and it is one that I would consider a must read if someone is looking for actual insight into life in revolutionary America.

For more information about this author and his works be sure to visit the following websites:

Benjamin Franklin Brief Biography

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Exhibit

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