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The Autobiography of Ben Franklin

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 14,857 ratings · 1,177 reviews

Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography is one of the most famous works in American literature. He started it as a private collection of anecdotes for his son, but soon it was transformed into a work of history. This is a charming, self-portrait of one of America's greatest forefathers.

Hardcover, 152 pages

Published February 1st 2009 by Nuvision Publications (first published 1790)

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May 13, 2013 Jan Rice rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was exciting, once I found out it really was his autobiography! I couldn't believe it at 1st. Turned out to be divided roughly into two parts, the 1st starting with his family history and younger years, and the second coming later after a break. He was in his 80s, and his public had encouraged him to continue. The 2nd part is a little slower but still informative. The book is not very long, not a huge tome. It stops all of a sudden, before the revolutionary years. Maybe he just couldn't fin...more

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Aug 31, 2011 James rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography, amer-history

In the summer of 1771, while he was living in a country home in England, Benjamin Franklin began an autobiography that he was destined to never finish. He prepared an outline of a final section that he did not complete, but the four parts that he did finish represent one of the seminal documents of the enlightenment.
He was a statesman, an author, an inventor, a scientist, a printer, and the list goes on and on when describing Benjamin Franklin. As an autobiographer he also demonstrated his geni...more In the summer of 1771, while he was living in a country home in England, Benjamin Franklin began an autobiography that he was destined to never finish. He prepared an outline of a final section that he did not complete, but the four parts that he did finish represent one of the seminal documents of the enlightenment.
He was a statesman, an author, an inventor, a scientist, a printer, and the list goes on and on when describing Benjamin Franklin. As an autobiographer he also demonstrated his genius as he reinvented the genre and the result is a classic. By focusing on his own self-invention the narrator of the autobiography broke with the previous models of this type of writing and provided a way for America to imagine itself.
Reading this work is both useful and inspirational. Undoubtedly that was intended for the author demonstrated a practicality in everything he did in his long life. The book also demonstrates a secular character that differs from some of the earlier classics such as Augustine's Confessions. For those who love reading his description of the founding of the first lending library is a perfect example of how he led his life, and he determined from this experience that the best way to promote a project was to remain in the background, avoiding self-promotion.
"I therefore put my self as much as I could out of sight, and stated it as a Scheme of a Number of Friends, who had requested me to go about and propose it to such as they thought Lovers of Reading. In this way my Affair went on more smoothly, and I ever after practis'd it on such Occasions; and from my frequent Successes, can heartily recommend it."
The autobiography is filled with many examples like this and may be read as not only the story of a person's life, but as the foundation of a country's character. I am reminded of a lecture I attended several years ago where Franklin's achievement was described as a "new Regime" by Professor Joseph Alulis. In his lucid and invigorating presentation at the Chicago Cultural Center (part of the First Friday series of lectures of the Basic Program of Liberal Education at the University of Chicago), he told how Franklin outlined a new order - a foundation for what became The United States of America.
Only 5 years after writing the first part of his autobiography Franklin would join Thomas Jefferson and others in writing the Declaration of Independence of the United States. The autobiography is an inspirational work and one that recommends a life of the pursuit of virtue and wisdom. It is a book worth reading and rereading.(less)

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May 08, 2009 Isis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of early-mid 18th century

Shelves: audiobook, memoir, politics

The charm and pleasure of this book, for me, is that it is not about the famous Benjamin Franklin, the inventor and one of the fathers of the American Revolution, but that it is about the young Franklin; about his education and apprenticeship as a printer to his brother, about his love of books and his determination to improve his writing skills, about how he uprooted himself from his birthplace and family and moved to Philadelphia, and began a business there. He meets rogues and swindlers, has...more The charm and pleasure of this book, for me, is that it is not about the famous Benjamin Franklin, the inventor and one of the fathers of the American Revolution, but that it is about the young Franklin; about his education and apprenticeship as a printer to his brother, about his love of books and his determination to improve his writing skills, about how he uprooted himself from his birthplace and family and moved to Philadelphia, and began a business there. He meets rogues and swindlers, has unexpected fortune both good and ill, and eventually prospers through his own cleverness and industry. The first half of the book - and parts of the second half - is as entertaining as any novel.

I especially like what it reveals about early and mid-18th century America and its inhabitants. The journey from Boston to Philadelphia was far different in those days! The way he talks about men being "bred" to their various professions is fascinating, as is his discussion of religious beliefs and doctrines of the time. And it's so interesting to see the workings of the pre-Revolutionary government, in which each colony is nearly a separate country, and yet all absolutely subjects of the Crown.

Franklin is a sly and entertaining narrator. He does not shy from making himself look bad on occasion, but it's clearly calculated to gain the reader's sympathy and goodwill. He's a schmoozer and a schemer, but he schmoozes and schemes to (what he perceives to be) the common good, not to his own betterment.

The book does have some serious flaws. For one thing, it is an abandoned WIP, ending abruptly with his passage to England in 1757. He also laid it down in the middle for a long time, and the second half is markedly different from the first; when he starts again, he repeats himself quite a bit, and then goes into this rather preachy and (to me) boring discussion of virtue, and how he attempted to become a Better Person through diligent self-examination. I also thought his accounts of his involvement in the French and Indian War a little dull in parts. But overall, I really enjoyed this book.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book, narrated by Adrian Cronauer, whose own story formed the basis for the movie Good Morning, Vietnam. Cronauer has a pleasant voice, but in my opinion he reads too fast, and his uncompromisingly modern American accent is somewhat at odds with the 18th-century language. I think the audiobook would have been improved by using the accent used in e.g. the recent John Adams HBO miniseries. Maybe I'm just too accustomed to theatrical portrayals of Franklin to accept a modern voice!(less)

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Aug 01, 2009 Ilyn Ross rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

Dr. Benjamin Franklin is the embodiment of Thomas Edison’s “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” He came from a poor family. His sensible father was of good character. Dr. Franklin was a deist. What God has given man, he purposefully, methodically, and continually used to improve himself. A self-driven independent thinker, he endeavored to improve, not only mentally and financially, but morally. He did it for his own sake, and the fruits became the glory of mankind.

Dr. Franklin resol...more Dr. Benjamin Franklin is the embodiment of Thomas Edison’s “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” He came from a poor family. His sensible father was of good character. Dr. Franklin was a deist. What God has given man, he purposefully, methodically, and continually used to improve himself. A self-driven independent thinker, he endeavored to improve, not only mentally and financially, but morally. He did it for his own sake, and the fruits became the glory of mankind.

Dr. Franklin resolved to practice virtues every moment. He said he was not so successful in some, e.g. Order, but his ambitious efforts did him well. Some in the list, e.g. humility, were purposed to conquer his natural inclinations. It is clear from his depictions of his practice of humility that he did not mean self-abasement nor self-negation – he practiced diplomacy. He said about humility: “I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, but I had a good deal about the appearance of it… In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it perhaps, often in this history; for even if I conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should be probably proud of my humility.”

A benevolent man of great honor, Dr. Franklin had no mean bone in his body. He used reason and persuasion to advance his convictions. His integrity earned the respect and trust of his fellowmen. It is logical that he could not subdue his pride – because, as Ayn Rand said, “pride is the sum of all virtues” (http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/pri...). Dr. Franklin earned the virtue of pride.

He depicted errors that he regretted. He had the misfortune of losing a four-year-old son to smallpox.

I found page 63 very interesting. I dearly enjoyed reading Dr. Franklin’s words. I laughed heartily at this part: a great gun is certainly a fire engine.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin had an exemplary, glorious life. (less)

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Mar 02, 2008 Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a wonderfully inspiring Read. It's a small book packed with great insights into virtuous living. His curiosity and observation of the world around him lead him to live an amazingly full life in which he accomplished much for the good of mankind. All this combined with his wit and writing style make it enjoyable to read and truly encourages the reader towards self improvement. I'm actually reading it again right now. It's great for new year's resolutions.

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Apr 17, 2012 Kressel Housman rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, classics, history, memoir, non-fiction

Because of the movie "American Treasure" and the plot sequence involving Benjamin Franklin's Silence Dogood letters (a series of letters he published under a pseudonym at age 16), my youngest son became interested in him and picked out a biography for me to read aloud at night. That biography, written for kids, cites its main source as Ben Franklin's autobiography, so I figured it was high time I read that American classic.

I'll admit it: the old-fashioned language of the original is daunting and...more

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Sep 03, 2007 A rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's been a very long time since I read this book, but it's a classic and worth the read. It's interesting to consider what a diverse person Franklin was. I also recall that, while he was full of good advice, it appeared that he was very imperfect in taking the advice himself!

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Jan 25, 2008 Niesha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Niesha by: Heidi Shetka

There is so much to learn from Benjamin Franklin and his autobiography and other writings. Please read it yourself. It is well worth your time. I was inspired by his genius, curiosity in all subjects and in people.

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Jan 08, 2013 Hadeel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was written for his son as a guide for him to lead a righteous life and became a book where he recollected all his memories. The book opened up with a letter to William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin’s son, Royal Governor of New Jersey. He spoke about his ancestry, childhood experiences and education. He was self-educated and had a strong work ethic because Benjamin and his nine brothers began working early. He went to England Briefly and worked as a printer w...more The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was written for his son as a guide for him to lead a righteous life and became a book where he recollected all his memories. The book opened up with a letter to William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin’s son, Royal Governor of New Jersey. He spoke about his ancestry, childhood experiences and education. He was self-educated and had a strong work ethic because Benjamin and his nine brothers began working early. He went to England Briefly and worked as a printer with his friend, James Ralph. He had some minor printing work with the government and got into inventing things. He won several awards from Harvard and Yale with his scientific experiments with electricity. By the time the colonies got into a war with England he outlined proposals to raise colonial defense. He did not end up finishing the book and it was not detailed about the contributions he made that significantly impacted History.
He rarely displayed his religious side in his book. He was raised as a Presbyterian, but later on in life he became Deist. He was mystified about the different religious groups he encountered such as Quakers because they followed an organized religious and followed what was seen as subjective rules by Franklin. He believed in the existence of a God, but did not believe that by attending church he would be religious. Principles were important to him and a big theme in the book. He believed that religions would not force people to do well, but principles would keep people in line. He encouraged personal growth, responsibility and taking responsibility from our own actions no matter the outcome. Throughout the book, Benjamin Franklin was arrogant and condescending, but he strongly advocated the trait of humility at the same time.
This autobiography was a “recollection.” He wrote about the importance of holding onto the events of the past and learning how to move on and learn from those mistakes. His reminiscences do not flow in his book because he would often deviate from his memory in order to include some interesting tidbit from another time before finishing a though. Often times he would break off from a thought and would come back to it later in the book. Benjamin Franklin’s book was fragmented and muddled. His writing about his past displayed how his past made him into the man he was. He showed how he was the example of a person who achieved the true American Dream by rising up from the ranks in the middle class to be an intelligent powerful man
Benjamin Franklin did not do himself justice in his autobiography. He skips over the accomplishment that put his name in history books and that links his name with people like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Disappointingly, there were no accounts on the American Revolution or the Constitutional Convention, although he never got to finish the book, his continuation went passed that time. In reading this book, it was expected that Benjamin Franklin would speak about his opinions, the events leading up to the event and his version of what happened.
This book is recommended for reading, but future readers should beware because it is a difficult read. The Old English style of writing was rather daunting and Franklin tended to be redundant, although his intelligence seeped through the lines. The autobiography did not flow at all, it was muddled and fragmented because he would jump from one thought to another and back again. As he wrote each anecdote, the tone was conversational which he sarcastically referred to as “rambling digressions.” He instilled a sarcastic humor in his writing which made this book enjoyable and it was fascinating to read about the times and lives of people then, although he was one person amongst thousands.
(less)

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Mar 15, 2009 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Man oh man, that dude had some mad skills. This book is written somewhat sloppily - changing narrative styles throughout, carrying on from time to time, and not even finishing it - but the content is truly amazing. Why didn't I learn in school about how awesome Ben Franklin was? In addition to his kite flying escapade, he invented a better type of wood burning furnace, and a better street lamp. He created the first public university in America (U. Penn), helped create one of the first public hos...more

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Apr 17, 2009 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction-history, inspiring-people

This was one of the those books I put on my 'to-read' list just because it seemed I ought to read it. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Once I got into the flow of the style, it was engaging and fun to read. It is well written - especially when you consider it wasn't ever finished or edited by the author. It is a work in progress.

I was also amazed at everything Benjamin Franklin accomplished. His military accomplishments, experiments, and public projects were amazing. And the story e...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Joe rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have always been very skeptical of self-help books. I read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey on the recommendation of a friend. Covey openly admitted that Benjamin Franklin's autobiography guided his ideas. So, I decided to go right to the source.

There is no better life book, and it is so effective because it does not seek to be a self-help book. This autobiography is really just a look into the life of a person who sought only improvement in his own person and enga...more

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Mar 11, 2009 Matt rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Worst. Book. Ever.

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May 13, 2013 Ed Schofield rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I gobbled this book rather greedily, like a glutton at a feast for hungry street-dwellers. Surprisingly, he goes into a lot of personal detail, using careful language and the vernacular of the day, which is very dated, very Georgian English, but after some thought and re-reading, I still managed to understand. This autobiographhy acquainted me with some astonishing facts about Benjamin Franklin, most notable of which is that he had under two years of formal education. He was one of seventeen chi...more

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Apr 20, 2013 Matthew Lippart rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history

Super interesting. This was a book that Mr. Franklin wrote to his son, or at least that was the conceit going into the book, so his background and life story is interspersed with advice and ruminations on the world in general. I found most of his advice to be the kind of thing that would be good for people to remember these days (for example, his discussion on how being argumentative to win intellectual points might succeed, but at the cost of good will that you would need later, and his ideas o...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Weathervane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

I wonder if Ben Franklin's life isn't the quintessential showcase of the power of will in human affairs. Born with next-to-nothing in terms of material wealth, he nevertheless summons the industry required to propel himself upward through life, learning all the while with applied purpose and spirit. It's hard not to be inspired by his tenacity -- and the systematic manner by which he catalogues, and attempts to right, his perceived errors in action and flaws of character would be almost comical...more I wonder if Ben Franklin's life isn't the quintessential showcase of the power of will in human affairs. Born with next-to-nothing in terms of material wealth, he nevertheless summons the industry required to propel himself upward through life, learning all the while with applied purpose and spirit. It's hard not to be inspired by his tenacity -- and the systematic manner by which he catalogues, and attempts to right, his perceived errors in action and flaws of character would be almost comical were it not convicting -- for, after all, it's difficult not to bow my head in shame at my indolence when I read how the master of self-improvement kept his nose to the grindstone despite any setbacks. Franklin had no great reverence for mistakes or pain; indeed, from my interpretation, he ought to've rather adored them, as it's from his missteps that he seemed to learn his most practicable principles of conduct, of which he graciously, and liberally, shares with the reader.

In fact, a familiar feeling struck me while reading his autobiography, and it's not 'til now that I realize his life story is something of an illustration of the Biblical book of Proverbs. Of Franklin's actions which produced beneficial effects, it may be said that they were generally in accordance with the advice given by Solomon; the consummate prudence and discretion Franklin brought to his everyday affairs is a clear picture of how, with some thought, simple aphorisms may be applied to one's actions; and it's no stretch to say that Franklin's biggest errors could've probably been avoided had he merely followed this-or-that two-line witticism.

Narratively speaking, Franklin's voice was both comfortable and charming, as he freely, and (seemingly) unreservedly, indulged in self-criticism, pointing out those mistakes which he regretted, yet not neglecting to mention those strokes of virtue of which he was proud. Granted, I couldn't help but wonder precisely how many sins he omitted from the telling, as it's always a temptation, when confronted with one ostensibly unabashed and open, to ask if their supposed sincerity is just another front by which to advance personal aims and flatter the ego; but I see little evidence of this after all, as Franklin introduces his book with the admission that he might, in fact, be in part writing to plump his vanity, and in the face of such unashamed self-examination, I have a hard time delivering any reproach.

To say Franklin's life story should be required reading may go a mite too far -- I don't, ah, believe in required reading -- but I can't deny I am sorely tempted to do so, for it's hard to imagine any person not going away the better for having experienced his words. I, for one, will have to seriously consider those areas of my life which might benefit by their practical application.(less)

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Nov 20, 2012 Rick Skwiot rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are any number of reasons to read Ben Franklin's autobiography.

For the fetching language and wit. As when he deviated from his vegetarianism to eat some fish that "smelt admirably well," saying, "If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you...So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do."

For his keen insights into human nature and his own flawed behavior. Such as his youthful lust for...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Aurochz rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, biographies, politics

I think the determining factors on whether a biography or an auto-biography is going to be compelling and interesting is based entirely on two things. One how it is written, it's format and style. Secondly the person its being written about and what information you have to work with. This book fails on both levels in some regards. The subject matter is already there and we roughly know the story of someone this famous and influential, so these were really the only things that could of been good...more I think the determining factors on whether a biography or an auto-biography is going to be compelling and interesting is based entirely on two things. One how it is written, it's format and style. Secondly the person its being written about and what information you have to work with. This book fails on both levels in some regards. The subject matter is already there and we roughly know the story of someone this famous and influential, so these were really the only things that could of been good about this book. I had high hopes for this as I have always wanted to read this and have been intrigued by certain snippets and facts of Franklin's life, but it just wasn't interesting or well written.

Now I want to make clear, that I'm not saying Franklin's life isn't interesting. I think it is. What I'm saying is his own exposition of it, in this auto-biography is not particularly interesting.

The format is horrendous, compelling facts of his life are intermixed with totally redundant sentences and mundane uninteresting minutiae. It reminds me a bit of peoples notebooks released posthumously. Nietzsche's WILL TO POWER comes to mind. A random assortment of Nietzsche's notebooks put together by his sister, with sentences so pertinent to his philosophy and life as "I forgot my umbrella." A famous foible showing someone clearly didn't know what they were talking about in evaluating the remaining work of their sibling. Well at least it spawned SPURS, by Derrida. ;P

Well like Nietzsche, Franklin forgot many umbrellas, sent letters to random people and talked about getting milk... A list of small things here and there intermingled with angles on how he wanted the book to go. None of it meshes well or comes together to say anything important.

It starts out as a protreptic treatise dedicated to making his son a virtuous person, a theme he only picks up on once or twice in the remaining ninety pages to any real degree. It just meanders all over the place and never really culminates or moves on to anything interesting.

I think the only interesting thing I learned about Franklin from this that I don't remember hearing elsewhere is that he was friends with David Hume. A philosopher I hold in high esteem.

We don't learn much interesting that we didn't already know and the work is largely devoid of the wit and quotes most people associate with Franklin. It could be that my Dover edition of the work, was just a bad edition. Though I doubt it could be radically different or better in any form.

I don't really suggest reading this. There are many biographies on him at this point and unless you're in desperate need of hearing his own words on the matter of his life, I don't see why you wouldn't go with those. (less)

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Sep 22, 2012 Sophia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was assigned this for ENG250, American Literature. It wasn't framed well, beyond a general sense of "this was one of the original self-made men at the time of America's creation," and I suppose that's certainly true.

A bit of a recurring theme in the book is something like "I noticed this problem. I proposed a solution. Now it's fixed." He made a library. He started firefighters. He got the roads paved and lamps installed (kinda sorta not really). He started youth education in Philadelphia.

For...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Douglas Dalrymple rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Among the public and private social clubs and civic organizations Franklin founded (or had a hand in founding) one may include the “Junto,” the Society of the Free and Easy, the Party of Virtue, the Philosophical Society, the volunteer fire department, the public library, and The United States. His achievements in everything from journalism and home heating methods to diplomacy and electrical science were enough to impress even himself:

“In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Kelli rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Benjamin Franklin is better than you.

I don't think much about him on a daily basis even though I spend the entire day using/seeing things he created or innovated, like libraries and fire stations.

As a daily planner enthusiast I truly enjoyed the inclusion of his daily schedule and his Virtues Chart, made to help him become a better person. You can print it out offline too, and make a little mark each day you commit a vice. For example, if you break the "Silence" virtue -- that being, whenever...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Jeff rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I cannot say I was passionately pleased at reading this autobiography, though it has some obvious merits. Being a Philadelphian, I did take great interest in Franklin's walking the city (present day the Old City neighborhood) and his movements and activities therein. There were also interesting bits of humor and history woven throughout, showing the beginnings of American Literature and the foundings of his concepts of "virtue." I especially liked his opinions on vegetarianism: when battling his...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Mike W rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Franklin's autobiography is a delight to read. The great man seems well aware of, and freely admits, both his virtues and his vices. He frequently emphasizes his own industriousness and integrity, but also concedes some failings, as for example his disputatious nature, which others found irritating, and his sometimes dishonorable conduct with women.

He tells us how, early on, he went to Philadelphia from Boston with little money, and spent what he had on "three great puffy rolls" of bread, ate on...more Franklin's autobiography is a delight to read. The great man seems well aware of, and freely admits, both his virtues and his vices. He frequently emphasizes his own industriousness and integrity, but also concedes some failings, as for example his disputatious nature, which others found irritating, and his sometimes dishonorable conduct with women.

He tells us how, early on, he went to Philadelphia from Boston with little money, and spent what he had on "three great puffy rolls" of bread, ate one and gave the other two away to a needy woman and her child. But he also relates how he gave a woman in Philadelphia cause to believe he would marry her, and then more or less forgot her while overseas. "This was another of the great errata of my life" he sadly observes. Meanwhile, he took advantage of a friend's absence to make a play for his girlfriend, only to be rebuffed by the girl and despised by his friend--"another erratum" he writes.

And he sometimes consorted with prostitutes and tramps in his youth: that hard to be governed passion of youth hurried me frequently into intrigues with low women that fell in my way," noting that these encounters often entailed "great expense" and brought "great inconvenience."

In the book, Franklin frequently shows his wit and wisdom, as when he observed "I scarce ever heard or saw the introductory words `without vanity I may say,' etc... but some vain thing immediately followed." And he recalls how he was tempted away from vegetarianism, though fishing had at one time seemed to him like murder: I had formerly been a great lover of fish, and when this (one) came out of the frying-pan, it smelt admirably well. I balanc'd some time between principle and inclination till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then, thought I, 'if you eat another, i don't see why we mayn't eat you.'"

Franklin was not religious, in a conventional sense, but he evidently did believe in certain fundamental religious principles, which he considered the kernel of truth in all popular religions, including the existence of a wise and powerful creator and the immortality of the soul. Yet he lamented the tendency of each religion to believe it alone had the whole truth, and to dismiss others as heretical, even to the point of ignoring a profound underlying agreement. And he smiles at the hypocrisy their orthodoxy forces on religious folk, as when the Quakers had continually to find pretexts to fund the military to provide for the defense of Pennsylvania, despite their own pacifism.

In all, Franklin had a spectacularly successful and satisfying life, with great accomplishments as a printer, legislator, diplomat and scientist. Reflecting on it all, he writes: "I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages some authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first."

In the book he comes across as eminently tolerant, curious, frugal, hard-working, sensible and honest. But, for all his seeming candor, I cannot help but feel that there was a deep passion and ambition there, for business and political success and for knowledge, that Franklin wishes to hide. I intend to read Isaacson's biography, which might shed light on aspects of Franklin's character the man himself did not want to reveal. That aside, the main flaw in the book is that he never finished it. And so the most fascinating part of his life--which included his vital role in the revolution and the creation of a new country--if omitted. This is bound to disappoint any reader.(less)

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Jun 20, 2012 Johnathan Weston rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Here’s a book I’d been intending to read for a while now. Benjamin Franklin is to me an icon of self-sufficiency, resourcefulness and dedication to self-improvement. Here’s my review of the book, which I posted to bn.com:

Benjamin Franklin is one of the more inspiring individuals in the history of the US. Reading through this autobiography, it becomes apparent that he was a true “self-made” man. He gives account of his achievements as well as his shortcomings and provides insight regarding how he...more

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Apr 25, 2012 James rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography

This autobiography, which I just finished rereading, is a fairly cozy and sometimes unremarkable read. The stench of self-importance and self-righteousness is everywhere, but Franklin has a wonderful way of moderating his egotistic moralizing by focusing on the overabundance of banality in his life. He worked ridiculously hard. And, to be honest, was ridiculously lucky. He decided at a young age that he couldn't rely on anyone to help him much, so he helped himself. And to be a better businessma...more This autobiography, which I just finished rereading, is a fairly cozy and sometimes unremarkable read. The stench of self-importance and self-righteousness is everywhere, but Franklin has a wonderful way of moderating his egotistic moralizing by focusing on the overabundance of banality in his life. He worked ridiculously hard. And, to be honest, was ridiculously lucky. He decided at a young age that he couldn't rely on anyone to help him much, so he helped himself. And to be a better businessman he adopted a broad-mindedness and non-judgmental character that obviously served him well, and later on allowed him to transition over into a more political role. (His genial persona also helped him get past being stigmatized for his unorthodox and slightly radical views on religion.)

What's odd about his autobiography is its unfinished quality. The first half is very ordered and consistent, and takes the reader up to the 1730's, to the point where he's finally become successful in business and started on his life as an adult. He also spends a year or so in England, and what's interesting about that section is what he DOESN'T say; it feels that a lot of bad stuff happened to him, and he worked hard and steadily in order to divert himself from pernicious enticements. He does mention at one point that he was lead astray by 'low' women at different times while young and was 'lucky' to have avoided certain bad consequences. While living in London I suspect that he saw and experienced quite a bit that never made it directly into the autobiography, stuff that puritanical Philadelphia was less likely to countenance.

Anyway, the first half of the auto is fantastic. The second half, which Franklin picked back up three decades later to finish or add to, is boring and rather, in spite of its brevity, longwinded, either because the elderly Franklin had lost his spunk for narrative or simply because he was being too prudent. The auto ends when Franklin is in middle age and so we never get his take on what he did during the revolutionary war or as an ambassador in France. But, again, Franklin had learned not to be too 'frank' (sorry bad pun) but indirectly suggestive about his life, which is clearly evident in the first half. The second half does talk about his role in starting U Penn and other organizations. And also his mildly dramatic role in the French-Indian War.

All in all, I was a little disappointed, primarily because of the second half of the book. I was gripped for the first half, but quickly fell into apathy during the second half. Oh well. It's still worth reading. (This was my second read; also read it back in college and remember liking it better then than now.) He, more than most of the other Founders, has contributed to that antiquated mythos which still exerts such a terrifying influence on the minds of Americans: the self-reliant, small-government (Why? Because our forefathers did it all themselves and so can we...) stuff that has basically inflated into a melodramatic mantra which essentially has little if no relevance for the type of life we now live. Just from a sociological point of view, the world is infinitely more complex now than it was two-hundred-and-fifty years ago. Franklin understood how open and full of potential the world was in the colonies. He was a gifted and able person disposed to hard work. But insights don't always come from hard work. Hard work in itself is not the cure for all of life's ills, especially when it is work that you don't enjoy. This contrast is what Franklin overlooks, but we can also understand why he does overlook it: his age was very different from our own. And the man did some truly astonishing things, and so he's worth listening to for a few hundred pages. (less)

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Apr 20, 2012 Gary Gudmundson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: american-history

Sorry Ben, only three stars for the literary piece because it has gaps in it. We expected more from you. Well, we have your other letters and writings.

But 5 stars for ingenuity and the self-made man. He was a Deist although initially raised a Presbyterian (being not too interested in organized religion) and in my opinion a Socratist.

B. Franklin says "From a child I was fond of Reading, and all the little Money that came into my Hands was ever laid out in Books. (1.15) " "Reading was the only Amu...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Thom Swennes rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I started The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin with an excitement of anticipation. Everyone knows this multi-faceted man that excelled in so many things. His Poor Richard column wrote home truths that were as relevant to the average man then, in the eighteenth century, as they are now. In short I was expecting to read pure magic on every page. I must admit that this wasn’t the case. This book is a well written and comprehensive account of Franklin from his humble birth as the youngest of a vas...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Jennifer M. Hartsock rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Enlightenment was an incredible time for science, personal growth, and accomplishments never seen or made before. With the strict religious beliefs of the Puritans fading with the new idea of comprehension of different people and of the universe, Benjamin was one hero who grasped the world for all it’s worth and ran with it.
When his brother James started the The New England Courant, Franklin adopted the persona of Silence Dogwood in order to write and be published. He later ran away to New...more

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Dec 13, 2011 Ensiform rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Not his full life, but an unfinished work, beginning with his decision to leave New York, and his father’s rather forced guidance to become a printer in Philadelphia, to his rise to fame as a statesman, inventor, and mediator, and ending abruptly as he settles a dispute between the people and wealthy estate owners over contributing to the King’s war fund. It’s written in a plain, unadorned style, in rough chronological order but resembling a series of anecdotes, a bit like a personal remembrance...more

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Nov 20, 2011 Betty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography-auto, kindle

This is the book the set the new style for writing an autobiography. It tells of his early trials as a youth, apprentice, journeyman and finally master printer. The most important thing I learned from this book was the statement that:

“It was about this time I conceiv'd the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish'd to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.”

He then goes on t...more

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About Benjamin Franklin

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.

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