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Autobiography and Other Writings (平装)
by Benjamin Franklin
| Category:
Essay & Prose, Autobiography |
| Market price: ¥ 78.00
MSL price:
¥ 68.00
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Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
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| MSL Pointer Review:
Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is the story of one man's efforts to integrate certain principles and habits - integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty - into his life and to embed them deep within his nature. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 7 items |
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John Purcell (MSL quote), USA
<2007-03-08 00:00>
Franklin wrote this autobiography as a letter of instruction in the ways of the world to his youthful and illegitimate son of 40. It only covers the first half or so of his incredible life, so the things that really made him well-known are not covered, but there is plenty here anyway.
Franklin recounts his family's modest life in England and the circumstances that brought them to Boston. He was among the youngest of a very large family, ultimately finding his way to Philadelphia to find work as a printer when an apprenticeship with an older brother turned sour.
We always think of Franklin as being a slightly older statesman among the Founding Fathers, when in fact he was a full generation older than Washington or Jefferson. Unlike popular perception, he was an athletic and vibrant youth, who rescued a drowning Dutch companion and taught swimming to children of London's elite.
Philadelphia in the 1720's and 1730's was a small town, never sure if it would really take off as a settlement. Franklin quickly befriended key politicians who felt Philadelphia had grown sufficiently to have a world-class print shop. He played a key role in the town's development, leading civic groups in establishing libraries, fire companies, meeting halls, and street cleaning services. Of course, he was also the consummate politician, serving in office, and networking his way to his first fortune by publishing government documents and printing the first paper currency. He also had a knack for working with the several important religious sects of that time and place, especially the pacifist Quakers, even though Franklin was a deist.
Franklin was a clever businessman. In today's lexicon, he effectively franchised across the colonies his concept of the publisher/printer who would provide both the content and the ink on paper. By age 30, he had set up his business affairs so that his printing businesses in several colonies were operated by partners and he received a share of the profits, allowing him to pursue other interests.
The autobiography is unfinished, so we don't hear his account of his pursuits of electricity, which made him as famous and well-known as Bill Gates is today, nor his thought on the Revolution. Franklin did play a key role in establishing logistical support to the British during their fight with the French in the New World. At that time and during his years in Europe, he was generally perceived as a Tory supporter.
Read this book to learn how Franklin devoted himself to self-improvement by establishing clubs, lending libraries, a sober lifestyle allowing time for study, and his methods for measuring his personal performance against metrics he had established for a proper lifestyle. One will also gather a new appreciation for the fullness, utility, and richness of the English language when put on paper by a master.
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Anne Lazarus (MSL quote), USA
<2007-03-08 00:00>
This book came to me based on a recommendation by Anthony Robbins in his book Awaken the Giant Within. And upon reading it, it occurs to me how many gurus have built on, or simply stolen, Ben Franklin's ideas for living a life with purpose, on purpose. (Cheers to Robbins for identifying his mentors and sources so openly.) The Autobiography of Ben Franklin is a quick easy read with many rewards. Learn about the man, discover the seed of modern self-help ideas, and see America though a unique set of eyes.
About the writing... When Franklin took pen to paper his motivation was to share ideas with his son. In other words, he was writing a letter, and what a joy that it survived as a letter to each of us. Enjoy this book as insights offered by a dynamic individual. And, have the flexibility to enjoy writing that certainly isn't in the pop-culture mold of our century. I myself found this refreshing! If you like ideas and value the role mentors can play in our lives, then read this book today.
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Paul Heckman (MSL quote), USA
<2007-03-08 00:00>
This Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin does not contain the type of finished material one has come to expect in a finished coherent autobiographical writing covering the whole life span of the individual written by single author over a continuous period of time. This is really source material partially written over distinctly separate periods of time wherein the author, Benjamin Franklin, wrote on two different continents without access to the other parts of his text. With that said, I still think that this book is a wonderful and enlightening piece of work. It should, in my opinion, be considered for placement in every high school and college library, and it should perhaps be wise to consider it for required reading in those institutions. The book tells of the life and times in which Mr. Franklin lived, the attitudes of the colonists and of the British and the ways that things were accomplished in colonial America. It is truly amazing to me to hear first hand how a single individual with only two years of formal education can educate himself as this man did and to rise to make such truly great contributions to society, science, engineering, and politics. I highly recommend this book.
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Lawrance Bernabo (MSL quote) , USA
<2007-03-08 00:00>
The prevailing conception of the American character found its apotheosis in the persona of Benjamin Franklin. In early American culture Franklin was considered the typical American whose life philosophy exemplified American attitudes towards life, wealth, and happiness. The proof of this philosophy was found in Franklin's life and both are interwoven in his autobiography.
Certainly Franklin became omnipresent in American history (the greatest president who was never president, as I recall) partly because of his own efforts at self-promotion, of which The Autobiography is a prime example along with the constant reprinting of Poor Richard's Almanac (see the preface to the last edition in 1758 entitled The Way to Wealth, which presages the autobiography). Franklin was first and foremost a moralist concerned with the personal, social, and civic improvement of his fellow citizens. The book opens with a letter, written to his son William in 1771. Of course, William, the Royal Governor of New Jersey, is forty years old, so the advice being offered is not to his literal (illegitimate) son but rather to any and all "youth." The book is intended as an exemplar for moral action and virtues.
Part I has Franklin describing his ancestry and lineage, covering his precocious childhood where he learned the virtues and morals that would serve him in good stead as an adult. Indeed, the story of Franklin becoming a successful businessman and important citizen in Philadelphia is a series of anecdotes in which he uses his intelligence and wit to solve any and all challenges. As autobiography we know this account to be flawed, for Franklin recreates his life to suit his purpose, but as rhetorical exemplar it is impressive. Part II reinforces this point by beginning with a pair of letters from Abel James and Benjamin Vaughn, who praise Part I for having celebrated the frugality, industry, and temperance necessary for a man's character to develop as a prelude to success. This section was written ten years after the first, when Franklin was in France. Here Franklin discusses moral perfection and the importance of industry and frugality in achieving success. Part III was written when Franklin returns home to Philadelphia in August of 1788, and continues the detailing his long career of public service, from publisher Poor Richard's Almanac to becoming Postmaster of the United States. Part IV is something of a fragment devoted to an episode in London in 1747 when Franklin became an early proponent of American rights. Ironically, this section, which would have contained the autobiographical information we would most want to hear with regards to the fight for Independence, is the briefest.
Ultimately, what becomes most important about The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is that it serves as the genesis of the aristocracy of merit in the United States. Franklin's life is the model for the stories of Horatio Alger a century later and instantiates the idea that America is the land of opportunity where it is by merit that we can earn success. That idea has been expressed in countless ways since this book was first published in all its myriad forms, but the life of Franklin is the font from which it all springs.
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Michael Morrow (MSL quote) , USA
<2007-03-08 00:00>
I find the Autobiography a fascinating look into the everyday life of our country's Colonial age! Franklin's narration is clean and descriptive and totally engrossing! The story of his early life and how he came to be a businessman and statesman is well worth 5 stars but also included in this gem is The Selected Writings which includes The Way to Wealth as well as five more sections (Essays to Do Good, Franklin the Scientist, Franklin and the Revolution, The Family Man, and Something of His Religion) all include various letters and essays and are an entertaining look into Franklin and his view of the world! For an American History buff this is a must book for the collection and for Children... this book is a fantastic way to introduce any Child to History and the real life of one of our beloved Signers of the Declaration of Independence! |
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Martin (MSL quote) , USA
<2007-03-08 00:00>
"I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of Faults than I had imagined... " says Ben Franklin, upon entering a quest for moral perfection. True and yet somewhat humorous. This book constantly "surpris'd" and amused, particularly with its pithy observations delivered in a mildly humorous good natured tone.
Included are his candid confessions of "errata" in which he tells how he propositioned his best friend's wife and was rightly rebuffed by her. When she told her husband, he refused to pay debts he owed Ben Franklin. (BF decided to forget about the money and move on, sans former friend.) He also recounts his chagrin and dishonor at spending money entrusted to him.
For me, the most interesting part was the quest for moral perfection in which he listed 13 virtues: Temperance; Silence; Order; Resolution; Frugality; Industry; Sincerity; Justice; Moderation; Cleanliness; Tranquillity; Chastity; and Humility. He worked on one of these per week, and gave himself a black mark in his book each time he became aware he committed a violation. While this sounds grim, BF's approach was so laden with humor and acceptance of human frailties, it was delightful. For example, he says regarding Pride: "For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility."
There are so many good points in this writing I can only list a few:
Want of Modesty is Want of Sense: Early, BF was fond of argument and disputation, but he observed that men of good sense rarely engaged in it. He struck the words "certainly", "undoubtedly", etc., and used words such as "I should think it so" or "I imagine it so" or "If I am not mistaken". He retained the habit of speaking with "modest Diffidence". He says this has been of great advantage to him in persuading men. He says "I wish well-meaning sensible men would not lessen their Power of doing good by a Positive assuming Manner that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create Opposition, and to defeat everyone of those Purposes for which Speech was given us, to wit, giving or receiving Information or Pleasure.
Croakers: "There are Croakers in every Country always boding its ruin." BF's point was that one should not listen to unfounded pessimism which seems to be rampant and discourages constructive activities.
How to Solicit: When BF was soliciting donations for his library, he first said he had the idea for a library, but met with resistance from potential donors. He then switched to leaving himself out of the picture as much as possible, and said others had this the idea for a library. Solicitations then went much better. He said "The present little Sacrifice of your Vanity will afterwards be amply repaid. If it remains a while uncertain to whom the Merit belongs, some one more vain than yourself will be encouraged to claim it, and then even envy will be dispos'd to do you Justice, by plucking those assum'd Feathers, and restoring them to their right Owner."
Morale: BF was assigned to build a fort in hostile country, and observed that while the men were working hard to build the fort, which they did very quickly, they were happy. However, once it was done and they were idle, they quickly became discontented and mutinous. He said this is why sea captains keep the crew busy, even if it is only to polish the anchor.
Much of the book's charm comes from it's very clear use of language and subtle humor, which is difficult to capture without a great deal of direct quotation. A case in point is the speckled ax anecdote - which is wonderful, but needs to be read directly from BF.
I see some of the other reviewers noted it was boring - which is true in places, particularly at the start. I urge everyone to read this book, but skim the first ten or twenty pages dealing with family history, and also skim or skip other places that may bog down. I still find things of interest that I skipped over previously, even after reading this several times.
I give this my highest five-star rating but for reasons other than one might think. The historical significance is substantial, recounting and communicating of feel of the times of the formation of America is outstanding, and the political significance of BF is undeniable. However, I gave it its highest rating because the book speaks to me on a very personal basis, I loved reading it, and delighted in its humor and wisdom.
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Kaminski (MSL quote), USA
<2007-03-08 00:00>
Well, Ben Franklin's life was not incomplete, but his autobiography is. This is partly because Franklin never intended his book for publication.
He was writing it for the benefit of his son - partly as a guide for life, and partly as a family history. Indeed, on the first page, Franklin writes that he has always enjoyed hearing stories about his ancestors, and hopes his son will be as interested to learn of his father's life. However, after Franklin's break with his son, he continues to write, but now it is for the benefit of all of his ancestors. Franklin's disagreement with his son William is just one of many details that are missing from this book.
I was always interested in Franklin and it had long been a goal of mine to read his autobiography. Had I known that the years 1758-1790 were not covered, which were probably the most important and influential of his life, I might not have read it. And that would have been a mistake.
For although the major events of the 1770s and 1780s are missing, like the American Revolution, the Treaty of Paris, and the Constitutional Convention, there is so much material about the early years of Franklin's life here that it is still a worthwhile book. Who knew Franklin was practically a champion swimmer, for example? We often think of Franklin as the elder statesman of the Founding Fathers, as indeed he was. Franklin was born 26 years before George Washington. But in this book we see Franklin as a boy and then a young man, whole periods of his life that are forgotten when one thinks of his later, great contributions.
Thankfully, Franklin documents much of it, and it makes for terrific reading. His battles with his brother, his early struggles with established religion, his bold jump to Philadelphia, and then to London, when he was still so young. He even mentions that he was a regular patron of the local prostitutes in Philadelphia! This is not something you'd see in Poor Richard's Almanac, of that I am sure.
Even though the book is lacking the major events of Franklin's later life, it is still rich in anecdotes and instruction. There is much to be learned from Ben, whether he was founding the first fire department or library, or making monetary contributions to every religious denomination in Philadelphia, or his attempts at achieving "moral perfection" - actions that demonstrated his industriousness, his tolerance, his wisdom.
Franklin was an incredibly fascinating character and he remains one of the giants of American history. You wouldn't know it from reading this autobiography, but it doesn't matter; the historians have safely documented his legacy in other books. In these pages, in his own words, you learn what made Franklin tick, what he believed in, and why. And that's more than enough.
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1 Total 1 pages 7 items |
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