Among other things, Benjamin Franklin was a printer, philosopher, inventor, statesman, and not least, a writer. Franklin's writings span a long and distinguished career of literary, scientific, and political inquiry—the work of a man whose life lasted for nearly all of the eighteenth century and whose achievements ranged from inventing the lightning rod to publishing Poor Richard's Almanac to signing the Declaration of Independence.His autobiography captures the essence of his spirit, and in it we can see him as a product of the eighteenth-century enlightenment, a type of Yankee statesman who could use the language of Addison, Steele, Swift, and Defoe. In his autobiography, Franklin asks himself, "Who am I, how did I come to be, and why am I a human being as I am?" and he answers with the honesty, wit, and charm that have made this possibly the most famous of all autobiographies.
This isan intimate look at the life of one of American history's most notable figures.
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"This is a really amazing book, which should come as no surprise, I guess, given the author. Franklin moves from city to city, job to job, project to project, with such energy that it makes the reader feel like every moment not spent writing columns, conducting experiments, or fomenting rebellion is a moment wasted. He makes it all seem so easy--all one needs to do is wake up early and try absolutely everything. This is the kind of book that should be required reading in high school."
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Patrick (5 out of 5 stars)