Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

By: Benjamin Franklin

Narrated by: Walter Costello

Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Considered to be one of the best autobiographies written in colonial America, Franklin portrays a fascinating picture of life in pre-revolutionary Philadelphia. In his own words he describes his life as a printer, inventor, scientist, and politician.

©1992 Joss Recordings (P)2005 Tantor Media, Inc.

Great Information but Hard to Listen to

While Mr. Franklin's story is very interesting and potentially fascinating, the reading is very wooden and stuff with so little inflection as to make it almost monotone.

Great lessons from a great man

So much to learn from one of the most important people of all time. Very interesting trip through the past as well. Ends abruptly, wish he would've written even more. Narrator sounds like he came from that time.

Still wanting more

Ben Franklin is a great American Hero, but I want to know more. The autobiography tells a lot I did not know and gives you an insight into a sell taught man. Great book!!!

Only problem is where it strops.

Any additional comments?

Would have been nice if he had written about the revolutionary. Unfortunately the autobiography stops around the time of the French and Indian war.

An inspiring personal account of an extraordinary life.

Well read. Great story. Challenges the willing reader to be a better member of society.

Good Story, Would Benefit From Different Narrator

Narrator is a good reader but puts emPHAsis on THE wrong words, disturbingly often the prepisitions.

A great man

This is the unfinished record of his own life as a young man written by Benjamin Franklin from 1771 to 1790; however Franklin himself called this work his memoirs.

Ben Franklin was the youngest son and 15th of 17 children of Josiah Franklin soap and candle maker who had immigrated to Boston form Northamptonshire, England.

Ben Franklin dislikes his father’s trade but loved reading; he was apprenticed at the age of 12 to his brother James, a printer. He later moved to Philadelphia and worked for Samuel Keimer. Later he owned his own printing shop.

From his early years, Franklin constantly struggled to improve himself. His passion for improvement was not spent exclusively upon himself. Public projects included Philadelphia’s first public library, Fire Company, public academy, philosophical society, militia, defense system, sewer, street improvement, hospital and he created a more equitable tax system.

It is great to read Franklins own words and obtain his insights and thoughts of his early life. It is too bad that he did not complete the book. Franklin was truly a brilliant, talented man with many area of interest. Walter Costello narrated the book.

Must Read

I heard many people reference BF autobiography. I found it to be very valuable. Good mixture of history, humor, and interesting situations and stories BF described.

Great story bad presentation

What made the experience of listening to Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin the most enjoyable?

The history of a great man.

What didn’t you like about Walter Costello’s performance?

Poor... Didn't seem to get into the mindset to pull off a really great performance.

Good read

Excellent detailing of Ben Franklin's youth and pre-revolutionary business, diplomatic endevours, service to Pennsylvania and his countrymen. Good insight to his beliefs and thought process as well as a look into the colonial time period. Does not detail the revolution or beyond.