The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Simply outstanding! Never read a history book? Try this one and you'll be hooked. We need a few more Ben Franklin's today!

Benjamin Franklin was one of the great minds that our country produced. He excelled in business, publishing, science, inventions (the lightning rod, Franklin stove, bifocals), politics and diplomacy. He also founded the first public library, the first volunteer fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania. His life in any one area would have been distinguished, but his life in totality is almost unbelievable. He was a great and prolific writer, and his straight-forward writing style is eminently readable today. Franklin not only lived a long life for his time (84 years), he began working when he was 10 and continued working until the month before his death. His autobiography is a great book, but is unfinished. It covers only about the first 50 years of his life. Although Franklin had achieved a lot by that time, there was a lot more ahead including the most important and interesting parts of his life. If you want to read a more complete treatment, I suggest Walter Isaccson's biography.

Franklin's Autobiography is an important work of American literature. He is witty and gives and interesting glimpse into early America. I think the reader does a fine job. I appreciate the unabridged format: great for studying.

This is a fine book but is read like it is your most boring high school history teacher!
The performance is so deadpan and dead I cannot rate the book well at all.

Needs a new performance

He just killed it with boredom

Disappointment

I knew some of the personal characteristics of Benjamin Franklin from other books, but learned much more from this book. He was truly an amazing man.

If you read no other book this month, read this one. History will come alive for you.

Nice to hear about the other aspects of Frankiln's life I was not aware of.
Recommended.

Not really what I expected, it was somewhat interesting, but I am no history buff. I didn't really remember much about him & was interested as I hear a lot of his quotes used. The book opens you up to where the man is coming from but does little to talk about any of what most consider his major acomplishments.

This book just seemed to go on forever...