The Compleated Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: Volume Two, 1757-1790

by Benjamin Franklin, Mark Skousen

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is one of the greatest autobiographies of all time&mdahs;but it was incomplete. Franklin ended his life's story in 1757, when he was fifty–one. He lived another thirty–three eventful years, serving as America's advocate in London, Pennsylvania's representative in the Continental Congress, and America's wartime ambassador to France. Here is the rest of the story, in Franklin's own words. One of the most fascinating of our founding fathers, Franklin was a polymath, a practical statesman, and an incomparable cynic and wit. The Compleated Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin, faithfully compiled and edited from Franklin's papers, reveals why he became a spokesman for American independence as well as his views on the Constitution, such fellow patriots as Adams and Jefferson, on French women, and more. Mark Skousen is a descendant of Benjamin Franklin through Franklin's grandson Louis Bache.

Genres: History

480 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2014

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Lady Safari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

I have very little knowledge on the American war of Independence, and most of this book is based on this history.

There was one aspect in this book, where I suddenly noticed a pattern. Before I expound, I sincerely hope that this aspect pattern, that I noticed, doesn’t reflect any anger or bitterness towards this nation.

I noticed that when the British made war on a nation, and when that war came to it conclusion, the British seem to give the impression that they were/are the injured party and also seem to get the better part of any deal that is made.

The author put this book together very well and I enjoyed it very much!

My thanks to the narrator for doing an excellent job.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben Franklin’s autobiography ends abruptly in 1757 when he was 51 years old. But he lived another 33 years and always intended to finish his story. The original autobiography is fun because it explains his growing up and rise to prominence. However the most important incidents in his life were during his last 33 years.

Mark Skousen is to be definitely to be commended for painstakingly compiling Franklin’s comments on those 33 years to in effect complete his autobiography. Skousen used Franklin’s diaries, letters and other writings to accomplish this.

In his Afterword Skousen also offers some helpful summaries regarding some of the most popular questions regarding Franklin. First, regarding Franklin’s unique marriage. Franklin spent all but 2 of Deborah’s last 18 years in England and France representing the U.S. The primary reason for this was because she refused to cross the ocean. Skousen however argues that they did care about each other and doubts the rumors of his philandering. He says: ‘The letters to and from Madame Brillo reveal an affectionate relationship of flirtatious but unfufilled desire, which was probably true with other French women as well. He was, after all, a man in his upper seventies who suffered numerous physical maladies.’ (410)

Second, Franklin and his oldest (but illegitimate) son were very close until the Revolutionary War. However Franklin was one of the leading proponents of independence but his son remained loyal to England. Skousen comments: “Some have assailed Franklin for failing to forgive William after the war when his son wrote and asked to reconcile, ‘It was not Franklin’s finest hours,’ comments one historian. Yet … Franklin felt his bitterness was justified. He lambasted his son for ‘taking up arms against me, in a cause where my good name, fortune and life were all at stake.’ Perhaps the fact that William refused to apologize for his fateful decision, even while insisting on a ‘reconciliation,’ made it all harder to forgive.” (411)

Third, “what were Franklin’s politics? In many ways, he was a progressive among the Founding Fathers. …
Yet he was no free-thinking anarchist …
He was no social libertarian …
Franklin could best be described as a social conservative.” (412-413)

Fourth, “when it came to religion …. There is strong evidence … that he gradually became more convinced of God’s active participation in the affairs fo men. He was more than just a deist.” (414)

Fifth, “how significant was Franklin in the creation of the United States? … Most historians now agree that without Franklin, the hundreds of millions of dollars so vital to the war effort would not have been forthcoming, and without French military and financial assistance, America could not have won the war, at least not by 1781.” (415)

(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).

[Vansh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin. Too long. We’re calling him Benji for the review. This book was a second part of his biography compiled with the efforts of one of his descendants discussing roughly the last 30 years of his life leading up to and writing of the American war for independence , whereas the first one (also a suggested read) was about his first 50 years - talking about his entrepreneurial, scientific, philosophic, and early military pursuits.
Reading both parts back to back gave me a better understanding of his character than reading part 2 after some gap cause whilst I would’ve likely remembered his entrepreneurial advice, his approach to governance, the funny moments like him trying to ‘woo’ his friend’s wife and failing, etc- I would likely have forgotten the contrast between the 2 books.
The first part has hope in it as if it’s a bright full moon and in the second part it feels a bit fatalistic (not sure if that’s the right word but more so that he realises his mortality and doesn’t mind being shameless,doesn’t mind being disrespected if it benefits his country, etc)
A big thing for me is that it gave me some insight on certain members of my family who are politically involved and helped me understand them better. Thanks Benji, I’ll make sure my kids read your books and keep your legacy alive.

[Patrick Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, the autobiography is great.
This is better.
We get a stronger sense of who Franklin was as a husband writing letters home to his Debby of a spiritual nature, and his very important dealings in England, then in France. Where would we be now without these events?!

Another recommended book is Stealing God's Thunder, about Franklin as a scientist.

Did you know he also dabbled in philosophy? But he tore up his philosophy tract hoping it would never be read.

He also worked on a prayer for himself, and wanted to revise the Common Book of Prayer.

Did you know he visited that Enlightenment philosopher in Scotland?

The audiobook of this is moving, read by the author Mark Skousen who is a Franklin Impersonator for events. I also got a copy of the book.

You can read every thing ever written by or to Franklin at a college website, I think its something like Franklin Papers dot org. You can search by name or keyword, like "lightning" or "Priestly". Guessing that is where Skousen got the material for this book.

[Kostas Kiousis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this audio journey into the mind and works of such a great man like Benjamin Franklin. He truly was a one-man band: Politician, Philosopher, Scientist, Inventor, great debater, spokesman, and delightful writer. He loved life, freedom, and women, and fought to be the best he could as an honorable representative of the American people, trying to establish a free nation, but also as an honorable representative of the human species, in general.
Though I thought it was a complete autobiography covering all of his life, it actually completes the missing parts of his autobiography from 1757 and on.
Beautifully narrated, it provides an excellent mosaic of the then historical background and teaches a lot about the struggles that led to the American independence.
It also provides invaluable advice on how to be a righteous person, a good citizen, and a wise businessman.

[Greg Pentecost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read. If everyone today read this book our nation would be much more cohesive.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every American

[Joani Edens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio book version - I could have done without the long-winded introduction, but the meat of the book, from Franklin's letters and diaries, was a wonderful look into history and a great mind. One major impression made is that modern writers attempting sarcasm should be forced to educate themselves on how to do it properly from this master.

The writings span thoughts on money, relationships, religion, politics, war, economics, science, philosophy - it's a big book for a reason -and much of is still applicable today. I do admit to being disappointed with some of the hypocrisy and class perspectives; I had thought Franklin a more salt-of-the-Earth type, but the contradictions makes him more human and show it's possible for other humans to achieve much.

[MaryEllen Elizabeth Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent portrayal of Benjamin Franklin's casual genius, eloquence, courage, creativity, and value of God and family. The leadership roles he chose were small in comparison to the HUGE role Benjamin Franklin plays in early USA history.

Benjamin Franklin is truly interested in service above self and his works have gifted USA citizens, and people around the world, with foundational thinking, living, and serving others.

I was amazed with the quality of life Benjamin Franklin was able to enjoy within the context of USA formation.

[Katie Burger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention in high school, but I feel like I didn’t really know that much about Benjamin Franklin before reading this book. Aside from his invention of the lightning rod and contributions to the Declaration of Independence, I was surprised to learn of multifaceted roles as a statesman, philosopher, and philanderer. This book offers readers a fascinating and in-depth look into the journey of self-discovery, intellectual curiosity and moral introspection of one of America’s founding fathers.