About this title: Wood scrutinizes the less typically American traits possessed by Franklin--such as his longtime loyalty to the Crown--and why he still became one of the Revolution's necessary men.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780143035282ISBN:0143035282
Description: Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (including dustcover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "from the library of" labels. read more
Description: Good. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Book has appearance of light use with no easily noticeable wear. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Good. Book shows minor use. Cover and Binding have minimal wear and the pages have only minimal creases. A tradition of southern quality and service. All books guaranteed at the Atlanta Book Company. read more
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 320 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Edition: First paperback edition
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Books, Harmondsworth
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780143035282ISBN:0143035282
Description: Very Good. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. xvi, 299 pp., illus., bib. notes, index; 21 cm. Tight, clean copy. Bowed (but not creased) spine. "From the most respected chronicler of the early days of the Republic-and winner of both the Pulitzer and Bancroft prizes-comes a landmark work that rescues Benjamin Franklin from a mythology that has blinded generations of Americans to the man he really was and makes sense of aspects of his life and career that would have otherwise remained mysterious. In place of ... read more
Description: Good. 0143035282 Book could have a shelf wear, or a bump, or sunfade to edges. These are new unread books from the publisher with one of these conditions. See are feedback as customers are satisfied in how we grade our books. Has remainder mark. Fast shipping and customer service is our number 1 priority! read more
Description: Very Good. Hardcover w / dustjacket. Like new copy in vg dj; no internal markings; has lost its "Brand New" shine but no obvious defects. DJ vg; no priceclip; edgewear with short closed tear. No remainder mark. History 91709. In sealed plastic protection. 2004. Hardcover w / dustjacket. read more
"A readable work of political history that pulls aside the curtain from the Wizard of the Lightning Kite and reveals a more interesting, more educational fellow of human virtue and frailty.
The writing is good enough that I will read more Gordon Wood in the future, if his topic interests me.
Months later, his portrayal of Franklin still sticks with me, mixed together with the autobiography in my head."
"This book opened my eyes to a few interesting facts. I always thought that Ben Franklin was an American patriot from square one. Seems it wasn't until he was "spurned" did he do a 180 and picked up the flag. This book was an interesting read and I recommend it for anyone interested in American history and in particular Benjamin Franklin."
"All this talk of Gordon Wood reminded me of this book, which is probably the book that initially made me like him so much. Franklin, according to Wood, was one of the last of the Founding Fathers to come on board. He was a Loyalist and wanted to work things out with Britain, and what changed him was a trip to England where, in Parliament, he was personally ridiculed and humiliated. Wood deals with that, but he deals with it in the context of a discussion on the difference between who Franklin really was and who we've made him out to be. He argues that the 19th century saw a transformation of Franklin, converting him from what he was to what we wanted him to be. And he argues that it's the latter version that's been largely handed down to us, which is why, in this book, he tells us about the former version, the real Ben Franklin, who was not the sweet, avuncular, Poor Richard, fierce American, staunch Capitalist we've made him out to be."
"I am trying to read more nonfiction lately, and the title of this book induced me to pick it up. The book examines how Ben Franklin, the iconic American, was not always the firebrand patriot he is historically portrayed as. Despite the fact that he later became a symbol of the hardworking everyman, in his youth he worked very hard to become a "gentleman," part of colonial America's elite. Additionally, he supported British imperialism for many years, attempting to unite the colonies not as a means to revolution but as a means to creating a stronger British satellite. He also spent years in London and France, being celebrated by European intellectuals much more than he was back in Philadelphia. It was only in his seventies that he broke with Britain and became a zealous patriot -- and even then, he had to prove to many Americans whose side he was really on! Very readable, very interesting; highly recommended!"
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