The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin & The Way to Wealth

De: Benjamin Franklin

Narrado por: Kent Mackamy

Two classics of the American spirit together on audio for the first time!

The Way to Wealth, originally a preface to the 1758 edition of Franklin's beloved Poor Richard's Almanack, presents a brief fable of a local wise man, Father Abraham, quoting Poor Richard to an eager crowd. In this inspiring tale, Franklin steps out of the past and shares with you his famed maxims about wealth, knowledge, virtue, and all other elements of business success.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin offers Franklin's life story, at least the first few decades, as he died without finishing it, as he tries to identify and develop a formula for personal success. Included is the popular "Art of Virtue", in which Franklin lists the 13 qualities he hoped to possess.

An early and influential advocate of the idea that any of us can create in ourselves the greatness to which we aspire, Franklin speaks across the centuries to listeners as clearly and practically as ever.

(P)2006 Gildan Media Corp

Good narration but appears incomplete

I liked the narration (clear speech, good inflections that drew me in) and Ben Franklin's tales are, at least to me, very interesting.
However, I didn't realize that Franklin's autobiography ends suddenly with his arrival in London 1757.
He doesn't talk about his influence during the Revolution at all.
At first I thought Audible's version was faulty because after 7 hours or so, Franklin's tales all of a sudden stop and there seems to be SO MUCH left to say.
But alas, that's where the actual book ends too.
Other than that it's an interesting listen for Ben Franklin fans.

excellent audiobook with great narration

What made the experience of listening to The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin & The Way to Wealth the most enjoyable?

This is one of the best autobiographies I've ever downloaded. I've listened to it multiple times as his life story is very interesting and insightful. The audiobook starts out with the "The Way to Wealth" story from the Poor Richard's Almanack. I ended up buying that book after listening to the audiobook. The narration is first class!

Great for history buffs, but...

When I purchased this audiobook, I was under the assumption that this was two books in one. Based on my hearing, it's Ben Franklins diary, describing various events in his life. There isn't a "Way to Wealth" anywhere within this audiobook if one ever existed. That doesn't make this a bad audiobook, but misinforming buyers I feel is immoral.

I've always been a fan of American colonial history. I enjoyed Franklin's view of events during this time. It's interesting how he became such "a pillar of the community", event being pushed into leading men into battle. It was also hearing his take on how the British should best defend the American colonies, utilizing local men instead of importing them from the mother land. The end of the book seem to cut the story short, as if the publisher ran out of diary entries to reproduce.

Overall I'm copasetic with this purchase. Mr Mackamy did a fine job as the narrator. I saw another audiobook that continues Franklin's life where his diary left off. Maybe I'll get that as well.

Biography might be better

Would you try another book from Benjamin Franklin and/or Kent Mackamy?

I might grab the biography at some point judging from others reviews. Merits include historical perspective and a few timeless points.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Slow... Boring...Ego Driven. A real disappointment.

Masterpiece Ruined

Truly disappointing and frustrating to listen to such a poor performance.
It seems the narrator had neither read nor prepared for the text and language used in Franklin’s autobiography. There are too many awkward pauses (maybe during a page turn?) and the flow of the work is completely lost.
Save your money and look for a different version of this fine autobiography.

Good principles but a boring unfinished listen

I like the principles and what your taught about renewing your mind and mastering your weaknesses to become a better person. Other than that a lot of the stories are incomplete.

Not that good

I love Benjamin Franklin and most of his writings are great. I was really excited to listen to this book but overall, it's dry, dull and boring and not what I expected at all.