About this title: This second edition of Franklin's famous autobiography is accompanied by a portfolio of illustrations and an introduction that provides background for students and invites them to think about the work's lasting impact on American society and culture.
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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
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780312404154ISBN:0312404158
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Description: Very Good. 2nd. 2003 Paperback. Orders usually ship on or before next business day. May have highlighting. We send best copy available. read more
Description: New. This second edition of Franklin's famous autobiography is accompanied by a portfolio of illustrations and an introduction that provides background for students and invites them to think about the work's lasting impact on American society and culture. read more
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 208 p. Contains: Illustrations. Bedford Series in History & Culture (Paperback). Audience: General/trade. read more
"I bought the Dover Thrift edition of this book from Amazon several years ago. I lodged it on one of my bookcases and largely forgot about it, until this past week when, having an urge to read a short book, I pulled this slender work. After reading only ten pages, I realized this book would be worth reading to completion. In addition to providing pithy reflections, Ben relates life incidences not widely known today, especially as concern his career as printer.
The work is an excellent period piece, and through the lens of Ben, the reader ascertains the intellectual, moral and spiritual climate of the colonial cities, in particular Philadelphia."
"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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