User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
"Early to Bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
"We may give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct."
"There will be sleeping enough in the Grave."
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, written by himself, is one of the must-read books for all, and considered by most to be the most influential autobiography ever written. As one of the founding fathers of United States, and titled 'The First American,' Benjamin Franklin was one of the most ingenious men in the recorded history.
Compared to other autobiographies, this is a very short one, (also, an incomplete one), yet, it will give readers an unbelievable amount of insights. If you still cannot find the time to refer the entire book, though I strongly recommend you do find the time to read, at least go through Chapter IX: Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection. Aside from giving you a brief idea as to why this man is considered to be highly charismatic, diplomatic, friendly, successful and likable, it will definitely be something for all to think about in terms of improving our own lifestyles.
The brief time you invest in reading this book give you information to be contemplated over a lifetime.
Rating: really liked it
“...there will be sleeping enough in the grave....” - Benjamin Franklin
Even in death, I can't imagine Franklin resting. There is always just too much to do, too many questions to ask, too many books to read, too much to explore.
My brother recommended this book to me about 30 years ago. I'm not sure why I never read it until now. Part of it must be the feeling that Benjamin Franklin would always just be there. He wasn't going anywhere. He seems to permeate so much of what it means to be an American and is an essential part our shared historical map. His autobiography, which is divided into two parts, ends in 1757. So all of the Revolutionary War Franklin and Continental Congress Franklin is obviously missing. These are his early years. It is a portrait of a polymath as a young man. It shows his curiosity, his work ethic, his creativity, his risk-taking, his bridge-building. All the things that would later be used as part of the myth-making around Franklin.
After reading this autobiography, I kinda agree with Christopher Hitchen's take about the role of Benjamin Franklin as the Socrates of his day:
"Franklin was also the main man. He was drafted onto the committee that drew up the Declaration (and may well have been the one who imposed the ringing term "self-evident," as against the more pompous "sacred and undeniable" in its crucial opening stave.) When George Washington's horse bore him into Philadelphia for the grueling meeting that would eventually evolve the United States Constitution, it was at Franklin's front door that the president necessarily made his first stop.... -The thing about reading Franklin is you are never quite sure when he is pulling one over on the reader. His humor was dry and sharp. He could adapt the language of his foes and flail them with it. He was happy to guide and get things done, rather than glory and stay stationary. He was an American original and we are all better for his curiosity, his humor, his readiness to take risks, his ability to learn and adapt. When people talk about standing on the backs of giants, I imagine we all have climbed a bit on the back of Franklin.
Rating: really liked it
This is a curious little book. As an autobiography it suffers from the fact that it leaves out nearly all of the most interesting parts of Franklin’s life. This is a bit like reading an autobiography of John Lennon that ends a few years before he meets Paul McCartney. I’m not saying there is no interest in what is here, but any sort of version of such a man’s life that ends well short of the American Revolution is more than a little heart breaking.
There are very amusing parts of this – particularly around how he sought to improve himself both morally, through a thirteen step plan, and as a writer. In fact, as ‘advice to a young writer’ this book offers some wonderful advice. He would read what he considered to be well written articles and then, a day or two later, would try to re-compose them, as accurately as possible, from memory. Then he would go back to the original article and compare his effort with that. As he persisted with this strategy he would sometimes find he had improved on the original, making the ordering of the points raised more logical or finding a particularly apt phrase that made the point in a way better than had been done in the original. This is such good advice. It is remarkably hard for us to take the reader into consideration when we write – and this method forces us to do exactly that. We think we know what we mean when we write something, but all too often we are only sure of our meaning at the moment we write it, and sometimes not even then. My favourite metaphor is that a writer must ‘take the reader in hand’. And that is the level of care that is called for in our writing. His advice on arguing and avoiding words that imply too much certainty in our views is also well worth heeding.
It is interesting to read someone so steeped in the Enlightenment. To read a humanist who, as much as anything else, was keen to see a general improvement in humanity – whether through more universal access to learning (he set up the first subscription library and was instrumental in forming the first university in Pennsylvania) or in finding ways to ensure the streets are kept clean and well lit. In a world so much defined by Galbraith’s memorable phrase about our being prepared to accept personal affluence set amidst public squalor, we can look back in wonder at the civic conscious people of the past.
There is something ‘homespun’ in the wisdom contained here, but the writing is always beautifully clear and this book does make you wish he had dedicated more time to telling more of his life – even the parts on his experiments with electricity are skimmed over in ways that leave you wishing for much, much more.
Rating: really liked it
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!
Rating: really liked it
This autobiography written by Benjamin Franklin himself is more of a chronological diary of his achievements than an autobiography, as not much have been discussed about his life but mostly it tell us about the work done by him.
He started working with his brother from a very young age at his printing press, while writing prose at the same time. Seeing that he couldn’t progress much in Boston, moved to Philadelphia and started his own business - a printing house and a newspaper.
Apart from his business, he also took interest in discussions and founded many societies, a library, fire company and established the University of Philadelphia. Started working as a clerk at the General Assembly and later became the Deputy of late Governor of Virginia. Seeing his influence he was elected by the people and helped in building a hospital - free for poor patients, proposed a bill for construction of pavements and street lights.
Performed experiments on tubes and wrote papers on them, eventually published them all as a book.
Franklin was a man of usual scope of power and usefulness who knew how to tell his fellow man the secrets of that power and usefulness. In his opinion, great part of miseries on mankind are brought upon them by false estimates for the value of things.
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Rating: really liked it
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 hospitals, and came up with the idea for the first fire department, and the first public library. His main profession was a printer and newspaper man (which served him well in marketing many of his projects), but he also served as a colonel, a postmaster general, and an assemblyman. His career is just astounding. Also - it isn't covered in this book, but he was one of the core founding fathers. According to Wikipedia, "He is the only Founding Father who is a signatory of all four of the major documents of the founding of the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, the Treaty of Alliance with France, and the United States Constitution." Ever wonder why he is on the $100 bill even though he wasn't a president? It's because the dude pretty much single handedly built America :-)
I will concede that the man was not modest, but regardless, it's hard to argue with his track record.
Rating: really liked it
A Renaissance man from the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is perfect except for one thing, its only half finished! Franklin was prevented from completing by becoming involved in the American Revolution's long conflict . Later going as the ultimate diplomat to Paris, to get greatly needed French help. Born in Boston in 1706, to Josiah Franklin and his wife Abiah. A good student in his youth but the family lacked the money to send him to college. His father was a candle maker and Benjamin after many false starts became an apprentice to his stern brother James in the printing business. At the age of 11 he was an indentured servant, a virtual slave no pay just room and board. Learning quickly though and he even began writing articles for his brother's newspaper to his siblings chagrin, ( James was in jail for his political compositions) the New England Courant . Fleeing at 17, first to New York and then Philadelphia from James's harsh, strange treatment. Meeting a man named Keimer in Philadelphia, Franklin returned to printing the only business he knew. After years of hard work the future talented statesman became very successful. A common-law marriage to Sarah Read in 1730, her first husband deserted "Miss Read " and they didn't know if he was alive or his whereabouts . Publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper and Poor Richard's Almanack and becoming famous also rich. Writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat and businessman . Benjamin Franklin helped a new destitute nation arise from war to prominence in the world stage where it still remains. The Founding Father is a legend today and in his time well loved and indispensable man who shaped his country's destiny. Loved then and still loved in the 21st century for his unceasing work in creating a new republic.
Rating: really liked it
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.
Rating: really liked it
Ben Franklin did it all. He was an incredible self-made human. Why wouldn't someone want to read more about him?
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is fairly short and to the point. It took a while to come to grips with Franklin's olde timey speech, but once I got up to speed (or slowed down?) with it, I really started to enjoy his walk down memory lane. He was a natural storyteller. Seriously, was there anything this dude couldn't do?
Not only was he industrious, but he made an admirable moral compass, without being overly pious or self-righteous. He might have had to learn modesty, but considering his success and obvious intelligence -not to mention some of the buffoons he was surrounded by- it's a wonder he didn't constantly show up his contemporaries. He details his change in speech, reducing definitive statements, in order to avoid shame and embarrassment for both arguing parties. He is forthcoming in this way, just as he is generous in his inventions. When they could have made him a fortune, he would not take out a patent, thus allowing the less fortunate and society as a whole to benefit.
It was a pleasure to reacquaint myself with this man's wisdom. Once upon a time Americans modeled their behavior on his proverbs, as set down in Poor Richard's Almanac. Example: Franklin relates losing a four-year-old son to small pox, regrets not having inoculated him, and encourages parents to do so. This was over two hundred years ago. Nowadays some of us are taking the opposite advice from a video dj/nude model with no knowledge of what she speaks. What in the world has become of us?
It's time we get to know this man again. I was happy to do so over the Fourth of July holiday.
Rating: really liked it
2020-11-18 I read this book about 35 years or so ago, give or take.
I found it and continue to regard it as an absolute gem!
Such great advice for improving one's own character, habits, performance.
One of the greatest books ever.
A book that can be referred to or reread over and over with great benefit.
For some books (like this) that I have not read/reread recently, my reviews can be short like this. But often for books that I have recently read, they can be longer, since I like to add some quotations and lists of positives and negatives. Love to have you check out other books I have reviewed, if you like my comments here.
Rating: really liked it
The Completed Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was to be my third time through Franklin’s notable book. Famously, Franklin’s autobiography ended in 1757, thus ignoring his most significant achievements. His work as an agent for the colonies in London, his part in The Continental Congress, his hand in creating the Declaration, his critical ambassadorship to France during the Revolution, his participation in The Constitutional Convention — all of this was missing from The Autobiography. This most famous of American autobiographies was missing its author’s most famous moments.
This deficiency was corrected byProfessor Mark Skousen, a direct descendant of Franklin’s. Convinced that Franklin had every intention of completing his biography, he reached across time to lend a hand to his illustrious ancestor. Skousen delved deeply into Franklin’s papers — diaries, letters, etc. — and found that the Autobiography was practically already completed. It just needed carful compiling. Skousen compiled entries from Franklin’s extensive papers to create a seamless extension of the original Autobiography, all in Franklin’s own words. Starting from his work as agent for Pennsylvania in London, these new editions cover Franklin’s work in London leading up to the Revolution, all the way through to his participation in The Constitutional Convention. Franklin’s completed life is all here, down to his Last Will and Testament. It is just what so many had always wished for. Skousen includes a forward explaining his process, and an afterward with final notes about Franklin.
Unfortunately, I must note one important issue. This edition of The Completed Autobiography contains not a single word of the original. Herein are the additions to the original, rather than the combined original text and new material. This is problematic on Goodreads, because this volume is included as just one more of the many editions of The Autobiography. Reviews of this volume and reviews of the original Autobiography appear together, despite that fact. I am unable to post separate reviews for this volume and the original book. While this is irritating, and something that those reading this review need to know, it is not a reflection on Skousen’s work in compiling this volume, but rather a technical issue with this site.
Rating: really liked it
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.
Rating: really liked it
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.
Rating: really liked it
This book was a referral from a friend who became the CFO of his company through hard work and sacrifice. He credits this book, above any other he read while pursuing his MBA, for his success. Franklin has a 'favorite uncle' way of giving you advice that will set you on the path to success.
Rating: really liked it
An interesting, short autobiography, but a little slow.
