“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

When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, The Book Worm’s Library earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog by contributing to giveaways, postage, travel, and attending book industry related events. We appreciate all those that help to support our blog, and have provided links below for the direct links to this book.

Dexter Morgan is not your average serial killer. He enjoys his day job as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department . . . but he lives for his nighttime hobby of hunting other killers. Dexter is therefore not pleased to discover that someone is shadowing him, observ­ing him, and copying his methods. Dexter is not one to tol­erate displeasure . . . in fact, he has a knack for extricating himself from trouble in his own pleasurable way.

Like the previous five best-selling novels in the Dexter series, Double Dexter showcases the witty, macabre origi­nality that has propelled Jeff Lindsay to international suc­cess. Double Dexter is raucously entertaining . . . full of smart suspense and dark laughs.

Book Review:  ★★★★★★

Ok — I have to admit it.  We all have our guilty pleasures when it comes to reading.  Something that isn’t exactly classic literature, and doesn’t require a whole lot of thought.  For some it is the romance novels, others science fiction or fantasy.  For me it is Dexter Morgan — and his psychopathic, gallows humor.  His passion for duct tape and fishing wire, while living under the “Harry Code” is something that is refreshing in the field of murder mystery novels.  Combine that with his almost pathological aversion to blood (as a blood spatter analyst) and you simply have the makings for a character that is both memorable and fun. 

This installment has Dexter chasing child killers in his own fashion, while at the same time finding he, himself is being stalked by another hunter of the darkly perverted.  With the tables turned, Dexter is gaining a new appreciation for what it means to be on the dark list of a serial killer that is hunting for purely “moral” reasons.  During this chase, Dexter gives the reader his own insight into the bizarre world of human nature — and the crazing things that humans do simply through the course of living. 

I think it is this interesting insight that keeps me coming back to the Dexter series.  His emotionally removed, narcissistic perspective gives the reader an almost surreal look into the human psyche, and the motivations that are behind the weird circumstances we all find ourselves in.  The book is also filled with the dark Dexterisms that we have all come to know and love. 

I have recently been involved in several conversations regarding the Dexter series — particularly when I tell them I am currently reading another Dexter book.  They all want to have these great philosophical discussions on the merits of Dexter’s world.  Unfortunately there is no comparison.  Since most people have fallen in love with the Dexter television series — something that I really wasn’t all that impressed with — I find that we have a hard time comparing the books and the shows in this particular interest.  From what I have heard the shows go off in all kinds of weird directions — where the book does not go.  (Maybe that is why I didn’t like it as much as I do the novels.)  So, for this reader, I will stay with the books.

Dexter’s step-children are another part of this series that is really starting to amuse me.  As Dexter plays daddy to these little, budding dark villains, Dexter struggles to instill in them the “Harry Code” before they can begin their long walk into the world of murder and mayhem.  There is just something very idiosyncratic in the presentation of moral daddy Dexter juxtaposed over the narcissistic killer of the morally depraved.  It is just bizarre to say the least.  And in this one that becomes very apparent in their family trip to Key West to buy a home, and the only thing Cody and Aster are interested in doing is going to “feed the sharks.”  Simply classic in the dark world of Dexter. 

Lindsay has another wonderful novel in Double Dexter, and one that I particularly enjoyed.  For more information about this book, and its author, be sure to visit the following websites:

When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, The Book Worm’s Library earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog by contributing to giveaways, postage, travel, and attending book industry related events. We appreciate all those that help to support our blog, and have provided links below for the direct links to this book.