The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

By: Benjamin Franklin

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

From printer's apprentice to internationally famous scientist, inventor, statesman, legislator, and diplomat, Benjamin Franklin led a most remarkable life. Seldom is history so well articulated by someone who was there.

Public Domain (P) Commuter's Library

Amazing and Riveting... but I wanted more!

I knew Ben Franklin was impressive and famous and that he did a lot of things, but I had NO idea how many. His personal philosophy as well as his place in history are told in his own words. He helped found the US Postal service, created hospitals, banks, libraries, and helped establish many of the conventions that we enjoy and take for granted now. He had such tremendous powers of persuasion that just studying him to see how he did that is worthwhile. Almost all his learning was self-taught. You really get a feeling for his personal style and flair as well as the personal convictions that made him the man he was. My only regret is that he didn't write more and say more about his place in the founding of our great nation or more about his scientific discoveries. I think he just got too busy being a part of history. You won't want to stop here. I thoroughly recommend the audible book Ben Franklin: Inventing America to get the rest of the things Ben, himself, left out. If you don't read this one though, you will never really understand his inner workings and how he did what he did. I highly recommend this book.

Its a Tragedy He Didn't Finish

Would you consider the audio edition of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin to be better than the print version?

No, but its a great book for the audio format, the language is fairly casual and the story witty and engaging.

Which scene was your favorite?

Ben Franklin goes to make treaty with the Indians, who are sober during negotiations but all get drunk out of their minds afterwards. They come the next day to make amends, blaming

Any additional comments?

Unfortunately Ben never finished his book, only recording events up to 1757. It was interesting to get such a first hand account of life in the colonies, especially the religous atmosphere that so many misinterpret today. This is a great book and its a tragedy he never finished it.

Superb Reading; Energy, Authenticity, Charm!

Grover Gardner reads this autobiography splendidly as the voice of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin's dry wit and brazen sarcasm is captured with a charm that you can't help but grin at as you are listening. As for the biography itself, Franklin turns out to be a surprisingly interesting and innovative (as well as hilarious) spokesperson about his life and history. A fantastic read.

Recommend!

Great story of an American icon. The performance equalled the content of the story. Franklin's story is one of rags to riches, inventor, politician, and philosopher. Franklin also provides sage advice for those who want to emulate his success.

Story about Ben Franklin

Story is very interesting and find a well constructed and will shrine a light upon the path for our country.

Political not personal

While I found the book interesting, it was mainly about his politics, his business ventures, and some references to his religious point of view. It was lacking in information regarding his personal life about which I have read tidbits in biographies about his peers. The lack of inclusion of his personal life made this book impersonal and lacking in depth.

Incomplete book - DO NOT PURCHASE THIS VERSION

This is NOT the complete book. Do not waste your money or credits on this audiobook. It ends abruptly following chapter 11 - after Franklin's arrival in London.

Pick another book on Benjamin Franklin

There must be better audio out there on Benjamin Franklin. It was an autobiography so it was interesting hearing it from his perspective. That said it ended to early in his life for it did not even cover the revolution. Also, one has to focus due to the use of 18th century words and phrases. Overall it was very dry.

Incomplete

I don't recommend this as it is incomplete. The performance is good, but it cuts off halfway through the book.

Buyer Beware: not the original text

I purchased this version years ago and enjoyed it. But, now that I need to study the text, this version skips/rephrases sentences far too often. I don't know if the producer(s) were trying to make it easier to understand, or maybe they were merely sloppy, but either way, this is not the original text.