The Autobiography and Other Writings
Benjamin Franklin's writings represent a long career of literary, scientific, and political efforts over a lifetime which extended nearly the entire eighteenth century. Franklin's achievements range from inventing the lightning rod to publishing Poor Richard's Almanack to signing the Declaration of Independence. In his own lifetime he knew prominence not only in America bu...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
April 29th 2003
by Penguin Classics
(first published December 1st 1952)
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Mar 08, 2011
Kendel Christensen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Kendel by:
Julia Shumway
Shelves:
for-posterity
This book, though obviously an unfinished work from Franklin's life, is a gem. Is so open, so unassuming, as to make one forget that we are being tutored by one of the greatest diplomats of all time. It feels like reading a neighbor's personal blog. It is full of words to live by. Such as:
“the wisest man will receive lights and improve his progress, by seeing detailed the conduct of another wise man.”
(Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography, 59-60)
“I made it a Rule to forbear all direct Contradiction...more
“the wisest man will receive lights and improve his progress, by seeing detailed the conduct of another wise man.”
(Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography, 59-60)
“I made it a Rule to forbear all direct Contradiction...more
Franklin was the foremost scientist on the planet in 1750. And that is just a small facet of a great man. His autobiography provides a great insight into the life and times of colonial America, in which he played a leading part. One gets a first hand look at the French and Indian [Seven Years':] War, as fought in North America on the administrative front.
What is surprising is the self-absorbtion of Franklin himself. One sees a man who is totally consumed with himself, and thinking of himself a...more
What is surprising is the self-absorbtion of Franklin himself. One sees a man who is totally consumed with himself, and thinking of himself a...more
Supposedly, I am a distant descendent of Ben Franklin so when I saw this used book, I picked it up for $1. My thinking was that the autobiographical writings might be of interest since I would be reading what Benjamin, himself, wrote. I wasn't disappointed. Being a writer (among many other things) by profession, he chronicled his life from early boyhood to old age in a letter to his son. This letter was fun and I totally enjoyed it but it only encompassed 181 pages of the book. Other writings fo...more
Sep 21, 2011
Patrick McCoy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography-autobiography,
classics
Benjamin Franklin is a giant of American history-the only man to sign all four major documents of the founding of the United States. He figures in prominently in the John Adams miniseries on HBO, not to mention his Poor Richard and electricity fame. This led me to finally read The Autobiography and Other Writings of Benjamin Franklin. The hallmark of the Penguin Classics are the knowledgeable forwards and carefully edited edition and this one is no exception-Kenneth Silverman has done an excelle...more
Mar 21, 2010
Kristin
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
book-club,
nonfiction
First, let me state that I have not read this entire book. I read the autobiography, and aside from possibly going back and reading his advice to a friend on choosing a mistress, it's all I intend to read.
Now, parts of Benjamin Franklin's autobiography were very interesting, particularly when he's initiating fairly new social services for Philadelphia. (i.e.: circulating libraries, volunteer fire departments, and a university). However, I was very disapointed that despite writing in the 1780s,...more
Now, parts of Benjamin Franklin's autobiography were very interesting, particularly when he's initiating fairly new social services for Philadelphia. (i.e.: circulating libraries, volunteer fire departments, and a university). However, I was very disapointed that despite writing in the 1780s,...more
This was a delightful experience. I'm amazed at how much more modern his writing seems than I'd have previously thought. Franklin turns a witty phrase, and I read with a dictionary close by, but it was in no way dense. His account of how he taught himself to be a more skillful writer by imitating admired works, shuffling & reordering passages, etc. was fascinating. Later, he dares to edit lines of a Pope poem!
The introduction by a Franklin scholar is a helpful key to interpreting the man's m...more
The introduction by a Franklin scholar is a helpful key to interpreting the man's m...more
This was one of the hardest books to get through but it was pretty interesting to learn so much more about one of the great men who shaped America. I always knew Ben Franklin did a lot of things but I really had no idea how much he managed to accomplish in his lifetime. He was one of the early supporters of uniting the 13 colonies into one nation which was new info to me. I knew about bifocals and electricity, but I didn't know about the library, hospital, militia, and university he founded. I l...more
Jul 26, 2011
Matt Ambs
added it
The account of Franklin's humble beginnings, his frugal and industrious nature, and his rise to acclaim within New England. Perhaps the most interesting section of this book lies in the personal letters of Franklin, depicting, at times, a more pious and sincere account of the man. Among these letters lie the writings of an inventor, a politician, a humanist, and a deist. The comical anecdotes and accurate accounts of the brutality of humanity, though related often with much satirical shading, de...more
I stand amazed at the acomplishments of Benjamin Franklin. He was self taught, having finished only grammer school, yet he initiated the first lending libraries, fire departments, newspaper chains and militias in the "colonies". He designed and built paved streets with drainage and streetlamps. He invented the Franklin stove, an improved design over existing models. As a representative from Pennsylvania to the Assembly of the American Colonies, he introduced a plan for the unification of the col...more
Really easy read overall. It was very interesting to see what he saw as his own personal failings. In reading it I got the impression that he didn't really see them as faults at all but wanted to portray them as such for the dumbass reader. I don't quite know the correct term to describe it but it's like self-deprecating humor that makes you look charming for poking fun at yourself. The only difference was that his mentioning of personal failing wasn't told as a joke. Anyway I found it funny and...more
Apr 28, 2013
Eddy Allen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arts-and-historical
"Writing has been of Great Use to me in the Course of my Life," Benjamin Franklin said in his famous Autobiography. With characteristically calculated understatement, he attributed his enormous and varied successes to "my having learnt a little to scribble."
This collection of Franklin's works begins with letters sent from London (1757-1775) describing the events and diplomacy preceding the Revolutionary War. The volume also contains political satires, bagatelles, pamphlets, and letters written i...more
This collection of Franklin's works begins with letters sent from London (1757-1775) describing the events and diplomacy preceding the Revolutionary War. The volume also contains political satires, bagatelles, pamphlets, and letters written i...more
In short, the autobiographical writings are amazing. Benjamin Franklin has an ease of communication that allows his thoughts and emotions to flow freely from the pen into the minds of even the most modern readers. I find him to be intelligent beyond all expectation, wise beyond his time, and highly entertaining.
The other writings.... well, i am grateful for much of it, as it illuminated circumstances and peripheral information related to Benjamin Franklin's writings. But some of it trudged throu...more
The other writings.... well, i am grateful for much of it, as it illuminated circumstances and peripheral information related to Benjamin Franklin's writings. But some of it trudged throu...more
Jan 18, 2010
Tim
added it
After multiple readings of this book, I have to say that I am coming to agree with DH Lawrence's assessment of Franklin (quite possible the only thing I agree with him about). "I admire him.... I do not like him." Franklin is the quintessential American, getting on in the world, active in affairs, inventing, politicking, organizing, reading, but never really thinking all that much. Oh, he claims his library increased the thinking of Americans. Yes, he wrote many things and connected lightning an...more
I really enjoyed a few parts of the book like Ben Franklin's virtues, and his thoughts on being frugal and hard work. It is always interesting to read about history and this being a very important figure in American history made it more fascinating but it still was very hard to bare with. The author did a good job at bringing the text a little bit up to date but it was still hard to understand. If I had to read this again I would defiantly pick up a lot more, but I also learned a great deal abou...more
Had to read it for school so I pretty much skimmed through it. It was alright. A little dry for my tastes in an autobiography. Autobiographies are a rare opportunity to express your thoughts and feels involved in your actions, but all we basically got from Ben was "I did this... then I did this..." But I guess the lack of passion and expression goes pretty well with his philosophy for a virtuous life.
This is one of the greatest books ever written! I read this in college and have referred to it several times over the years as a resource of one of America's greatest entrepreneurs/inventors. His life is so Americana and it is relived as you read it. His virtues or values are a pattern for living and I admire his quest for perfection.
This was a book that was on my reading list for a number of years. I eventually had an opportunity to read it circa 1992. I recall realizing the genius of Ben Franklin while reading it.
Ol' Ben seemed to have life figured out quite well. His wisdom is pertinent even today. I marvel at how prominent God and Jesus were in his life.
Ol' Ben seemed to have life figured out quite well. His wisdom is pertinent even today. I marvel at how prominent God and Jesus were in his life.
I don't know why but I get a real kick out of reading Ben Franklin. Not only are you getting opinions and observations straight from the horse's mouth when it comes to the 18th century, you're getting it from an oddly amusing and very pivotal figure in American history. What first appears quite stuffy is actually great entertainment...
Three stars probably isn't really fair. Again, a book assigned for history class. The antiquated English is a little hard to get through, but Franklin is genuinely interesting. The editors notes in this edition are very helpful. If you're an American history fan, or just a Franklin fan, probably a great read.
Feb 09, 2011
Daniella
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-but-didn-t-want-to
i never wanted to burn books before reading this one but after reading it i decided that burning some books can be rewarding. it took me months of falling asleep to finish this one. i throw it across the room about a hundred times before i was able to finish it.
This is a book that could be considered a classic "to read"; and I agree, it is worth the time. Because Franklin has had such a tremendous influence on this country, and could be considered near genius given his additions to invention and thought to society, his autobiography is an important source to not only better understand Franklin, but perhaps the United States as well. That being said, the autobiography reads like Franklin's personal journal (as parts actually are) and as such much of the...more
I have enjoyed getting to know Benjamin Franklin. He is truly a modern Socrates.
Ben Franklin is the model of a Renaissance Man, and he had an astute understanding of Human nature.
I enjoyed his sense of humor, and his wisdom is just as applicable today it was over 300 years ago.
As I'm reading more biographies than I have in the past, I'm beginning to notice patterns in the lives of the great men in the world. Their vision is never disconnected into one subject of life, but their genius spills ov...more
Ben Franklin is the model of a Renaissance Man, and he had an astute understanding of Human nature.
I enjoyed his sense of humor, and his wisdom is just as applicable today it was over 300 years ago.
As I'm reading more biographies than I have in the past, I'm beginning to notice patterns in the lives of the great men in the world. Their vision is never disconnected into one subject of life, but their genius spills ov...more
The book is a must read for anyone interested in American History. It was really interesting to read first hand accounts someone who was so involved in the founding of our nation and its culture. I was bored, however, through the first 65 pages and towards the end it got fairly dry as well. I was fascinated by the portion of the book that talks about his industry, inventions, and other endeavors as one of our first great citizens. Half the book was a five star and the other half was a two star,...more
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Benjamin Franklin was a writer, a philosopher, a scientist, a politician, a patriot, a Founding Father, an inventor, and publisher. He helped with the founding of the United States of America and changed the world with his discoveries about electricity. His writings such as Poor Richards' Almanac have provided wisdom for 17 years to the colonies.
More about Benjamin Franklin...
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“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
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Jun 18, 2012 08:41am