Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography

By: Benjamin Franklin

Narrated by: Robin Field

"Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy," advises Benjamin Franklin, and he was a man who lived up to his own words. Franklin’s Autobiography, one of the most regarded works in early American literature, began as a private collection of anecdotes for his son, but was soon transformed from reflective personal journaling into a work of national history. Filled with the inimitable nuances & wit of the inventor, philosopher, scientist and statesman, this engaging narration of Benjamin Franklin’s classic is as certain to delight modern readers as it did with his original audience.

©2010 Mission Audio (P)2010 Mission Audio

Inspiring and humbling

I read Franklin's biography in college and had remembered only the part on self-development from the system he devised. I had decided to start reading more autobiographies and in perusing the first ones that came up under that word I picked this particular version. This book is easily 500 percent more enjoyable and compelling because of the incredible talents of the narrator, who truly channels Franklin in his own way and puts just the right amount of inflection and creativity into the words to make them come alive.

I would recommend this autobiography to anyone, especially those interested in the lives of people who have come from very little and made deep and broad impacts in their communities. Franklin is the epitome of curiosity, commitment to community, empiricism, integrity and pragmatism.

As is noted at the end of this autobiography, his character and works strongly molded the character of America during its founding. To understand his life is to understand the roots of the United States.

Important piece of history

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not sure... How much one learns from this book (except for the vivid snapshot of history) is debatable. Benjamin Franklin himself is a bit tedious and vain.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As a autobiography the only character that strongly features is Ben Franklin himself.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Wisely written and mesmerizingly read

I cannot praise the writings of Benjamin Franklin more. The narration has certainly done justice to Ben's beautiful autobiography. Highly recommend.

Excellent Book

The narration made it seem as if Benjamin Franklin himself was reading it. Recommended highly.

a must-read for all Americans

listening to this book as I drove across America's Heartland, I was taken aback by the poor nature of our teachings of American history in our schools. Judging by what I've learned here, it was incredibly inadequate when I was a child, now being 64, and having dealt with our current school systems with children's ages 23, 30 and 31, I can only say what they learn now is nearly nothing.