The Autobiography of Benjamin Frankli..., Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Frankli..., Benjamin Franklin
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, with eBook

Author: Benjamin Franklin

Narrator: Walter Costello

Unabridged: 6 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 11/17/2008

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

Few men could compare to Benjamin Franklin. Virtually self-taught, he excelled as an athlete, a man of letters, a printer, a scientist, a wit, an inventor, an editor, and a writer, and he was probably the most successful diplomat in American history. David Hume hailed him as the first great philosopher and great man of letters in the New World.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is one of the most important and influential works in American history. It tells the story of Franklin's life from his humble beginnings to his emergence as a leading figure in the American colonies. In the process, it creates a portrait of Franklin as the quintessential American. Because of the book, Franklin became a role model for future generations of Americans, who hoped to emulate his rags-to-riches story. The autobiography has also become one of the central works not just for understanding Franklin but for understanding America.

Initially written as a letter to his son William, the autobiography offers Franklin's reflections on philosophy and religion, politics, war, education, material success, and the status of women. Stylistically his best work, it has become a classic in world literature, one to inspire and delight readers everywhere.

About Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most important and influential Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a leading author, political theorist, politician, printer, scientist, inventor, civic activist, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As a political writer and activist, he essentially invented the idea of an American nation. And as a diplomat during the American Revolution, he secured the French military and financial aid that made victory over Britain possible. Franklin's many inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, and the harmonica.

Franklin was born in what was then the British colony of Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706. The fifteenth of seventeen children, he received only two years of formal education. He started working in his father's candlemaking shop at the age of ten and later became an apprentice printer, working for his brother James. As a printer he developed a love for books, from which he educated himself. He spent two years in London, where he learned more about printing, and returned to Philadelphia in 1726. There he established the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanack.

Franklin established service organizations, was postmaster of Philadelphia, and founded a college that eventually became the University of Pennsylvania. He returned to London in 1757 as an agent of the Pennsylvania Assembly and remained there nearly eighteen years. In 1775, Franklin returned to the colonies and joined the committee that was drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Franklin died in Philadelphia on April 17, 1790.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Tharindu on November 18, 2020

"Early to Bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise." "We may give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct." "There will be sleeping enough in the Grave." The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, written by himself, is one of the must-read books for all, and considered by most to be the......more

Goodreads review by Henry on December 19, 2023

A Renaissance man from the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is perfect except for one thing, its only half finished! Franklin was prevented from completing by becoming involved in the American Revolution's long conflict . Later going as the ultimate diplomat to Paris, to get greatly n......more

Goodreads review by Valeriu on July 31, 2023

Benjamin Franklin m-a atras imediat prin francheţe. Privind în urmă, inventivul american nu omite să consemneze, cu maximă sobrietate, momentele de jenă materială prin care a trecut, ca orice self made man, dar, mai ales, momentele de jenă biologică sau, la alt nivel, mai eterat, pe acelea de natură......more

Goodreads review by Isis on June 16, 2017

The charm and pleasure of this book, for me, is that it is not about the famous Benjamin Franklin, the inventor and one of the fathers of the American Revolution, but that it is about the young Franklin; about his education and apprenticeship as a printer to his brother, about his love of books and......more

Goodreads review by Saadia on June 27, 2021

This autobiography written by Benjamin Franklin himself is more of a chronological diary of his achievements than an autobiography, as not much have been discussed about his life but mostly it tell us about the work done by him. He started working with his brother from a very young age at his printin......more