About this title: Translated into a dozen languages, printed in hundreds of editions, and read by millions of people, Franklin's autobiography has had an influence perhaps unequalled by any other book by an American writer. Written ostensibly as a letter to his son William, the autobiography offers Franklin's reflections on philosophy and religion, politics, war, ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Published for the Classics Club by W.J. Black, New York
Date Published: 1941
Description: Very Good. xvi, 300 p. : ill., facsims., port.; 20 cm. "Edited, with introduction and notes, by Gordon S. Haight. " "The continuation of Benjamin Franklin's life (1760-1790) by Alan V. McGee": p. 271-300. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Published for the Classics Club by W.J. Black, New York
Date Published: 1941
Description: Very Good. xvi, 300 p. : ill., facsims., port.; 20 cm. "Edited, with introduction and notes, by Gordon S. Haight. " "The continuation of Benjamin Franklin's life (1760-1790) by Alan V. McGee": p. 271-300. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Magnum Books
Date Published: 1968
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Nice soft cover, lightly read, light shelf wear to cover, light creases on spine, stk #2475m8. 254 p. read more
Description: Very Good. 0020029101 Great condition paperback book, clean pages, mild creases to spine, some edge/corner rubs, this book is GREAT! Shop & Save With US. read more
Edition: Fourteenth Printing
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Signet Classic/New American Library, NY
Date Published: 1961
ISBN-13:9780451516251ISBN:0451516257
Description: Cover Art and Design by Milton Glaser. Very Good. 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall. Signet Classics CE 1625 paperback edition. 352pp. Pictorial stiff card covers. Selected and Edited with an Introduction By L. Jesse Lemisch. The Autobiography uses the definitive Farrand text. Great-looking copy. NO library stamps or markings. read more
"This is still one of the best books I've read. Benjamin Franklin was remarkable by any standard. He had less than 2 years of formal education and yet he became one of our foremost statesmen of all times. Of all the things I learned in this book my favorite is his plan for self improvement. He takes 13 problems in his nature and sets out to cure them week by week. Actually, he started with 12, but a good friend told him he needed to put pride on the list:) My favorite is his problem with organization. He believes in "a place for everything and everything in its place," but regretfully reports that he did not learn this when he was young because he had a good enough memory to not have to bother, but in later life, he found that his memory was gone and it was too late to learn to be organized. My thoughts exactly!"
"This is the book the set the new style for writing an autobiography. It tells of his early trials as a youth, apprentice, journeyman and finally master printer. The most important thing I learned from this book was the statement that:
"It was about this time I conceiv'd the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish'd to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into."
He then goes on the list the virtues and the method he uses to perfect himself. I followed this method, and have advised it to others while serving as a Bishop, and all using it found success.
"1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. 6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation. 11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation. 13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.""
"Quite an interesting read. This is sort of pieced together from a couple different "stabs at an autobiography" and was never completed, but Ben talks about his early life, his printing business, exploits in government and travel and love. I had read "Confessions of an English Opium Eater" immediately before this one, so the olde english wasn't too much of a shock. It's kind of weird how he'll spell the same word three different ways, often in the same paragraph.
The best parts of the book were the inspiring examples of his success in solving problems and dealing with people. This guy had a lot of good ideas and a lot of success getting those ideas implemented. His suggestions for personal habits are admirable, but I wonder if he followed them as closely as he claimed. Also very thought-provoking were the background... basically, the world Franklin lived in at the time. It was a very different world. For example, they had problems with Indians attacking outlying settlements. Ben wrote an article describing his groundbreaking work in electrical experiments, but European scientists scoffed at it because there surely couldn't be any smart people in the british colonies... just hicks. (I'm paraphrasing)
Definitely worth a read. Might be good to read a different biography first, for comparison and because it would be more complete."
"A short read about Benjamin Franklin's early adult life as a printer and later how the wealth he made as a printer allowed him to pursue other interests.
I found a few areas of particular interest. First was that Ben realized early in life that he was talented at besting opponents verbally in arguments, even those much older than him. Initially he finds this amusing but later realizes it more productive to be less dominant in his debates. I have heard this advice from others, but it sunk in more coming from someone so respectable as well as someone that could relate. Second was his ascent to become a strong broker of deals, starting in the private sector and eventually moving into the public. Last was his position on taxing the wealthy. It is amusing to read in a Founding Father's own words how progressive taxation is necessary (I'll add him to the list along with Adam Smith).
What was missing was an account of what he thought during the American Revolution. It almost seemed as though he knew it would be belabored elsewhere and so decided against writing about it. He in fact made such a statement in lieu of explaining his kite experiments. I was hoping for a personal perspective on the event."
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