I am the very first member to review this book!

I liked this book, quite a lot. This collection of 39 essays tries to capture the essence of Ben Franklin's ghost to opine on today's issues. I'm no expert on Franklin, but I have read a number of his essays, some of his autobiography, and of course, willy nilly, who doesn't know some of his aphorisms? So, I would venture to say that the author, Tom Blair, mostly succeeds in imitating Franklin's style, at least when he wants to. For example, Blair, not Franklin, writes, "As with all things, words to instruct drip easily, actions to implement a thick molasses." I mean, did Blair hold a seance to evoke Franklin, or what? At other times, Blair's style becomes more contemporary, but that makes the reading a bit easier; it's all good writing.

I guess one danger in writing a book like this is miscalculating what a Founding Father would believe, or worse, simply advancing one's personal agenda with the authority of a Founding Father. I think Blair plays it fair and square throughout, though.

But, most important of all, I was captivated by the book. It really is a cool idea to pretend that the ghost of Franklin has come alive, and want s to share his sage advice. Give it a try.