Rating: 
Summary: A Missed Opportunity
Review: "...Most people are interested in causation, and most people believe that individuals are the agents.... Morgan argues that Franklin was distinctively at center stage for the coming of the American Revolution. In retrospect, when compared with the various penmen such as Dickinson and Jefferson, with political organizers such as Samuel Adams, and with military figures such as Washington, Franklin stands distinctively as a Founding Father."If this claim is not enough, Morgan argues more. Not only was Franklin in many ways America's first and foremost nationalist, but many in the English ministerial party believed that he, more than anyone else, was the principal culprit in bringing about the 'rebellion,' a view that according to Morgan persisted even beyond the peace negotiations in Paris. This seeming paradox between what others, first the English and later the French, thought and what Franklin understood of himself as a spokesman for an Anglo-American empire becomes a critical dimension of Morgan's sketch. As wonderfully entranced with carefully selected British and French opinions of Franklin as Morgan is, however, he never makes clear just how Franklin himself assessed these foreign perspectives. He does not stress that Franklin consciously chose to play to a public from his first years as an apprentice printer.... "According to Morgan, no American in the generation after 1750 had a better grasp than Franklin of an English American empire established on mutual interests and a general understanding of shared sovereignties.... "Interestingly, Franklin's story remains for Morgan elusive and difficult to know in part because Morgan elects to tell a partial story, one that dwells on a portrait of Franklin's public life, almost a third of it spent abroad, in En-gland and France -- more than any comparable figure of his generation. Most important here is Morgan's main emphasis on Franklin's distinctive history as an American political revolutionary, as one of the principal Founding Fathers, if not the principal one. In order to fashion his Franklin, Morgan depends on two elements that he considers critical for understanding his subject: Franklin's character and the various contingencies that Franklin met, right or wrong, with such verve.... "... Morgan presents a Franklin who was never comfortable with 'the people.' Morgan has had a special interest in this historical consideration; his book Inventing the People: The Rise of Popular Sovereignty in England and America was published in 1988. Lacking in Morgan's treatment in his new book is any careful consideration of the many public commentaries of Franklin the essayist -- the thoughts of Poor Richard and the gloss of Father Abraham, just to start. Most pointed, however, was the public statement Franklin made at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention. In that famous and oft-quoted address in which he appealed for a unanimous endorsement of the Constitution, Franklin articulated with some precision his views of 'the people.' Having stated that the Constitution, whatever its defects, was 'necessary,' he explained why: 'There is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well administered: and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administred for a Course of Years, and can only end in Despotism as other Forms have done before it, when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other.... "Morgan insists that as the rhetoric of resistance heated up during the political debates of the 1760s, Franklin consistently refused to countenance the necessity for "rights talk." Instead... he was always more concerned with the practical settlement of political disputes rather than with illusive questions of principle. In other words, Franklin was early disabused of any romance with a Rousseauian world. "Having made this critical observation, Morgan turns the narrative so as to conclude that 'in Franklin's view property was not a natural right' (p. 307). He makes this leap from his reading of a paper 'written a few months before Franklin's death,' in which '[Franklin] argued that property is a "Creature of Society and is subject to the Calls of that Society whenever its Necessities shall require it, even to its last Farthing"' (p. 307). It is material here to know whether Morgan and Franklin made Locke's distinction between society and government. Further, and more significant, Morgan, in stressing this passage, betrays his late-twentieth-century blinders, losing sight of the general eighteenth-century view of property. A brief glance at the history of Franklin's political economy offers a fundamentally different view. First, as a printer, Franklin combined a sense of entrepreneurship and eighteenth-century patronage that shaped important views of property. Once he experienced initial success, he launched a number of very successful commercial partnerships, the details of which ought to attract the careful attention of legal historians interested in the development of the law of partnerships in America. Finally, having earned sufficient wealth, Franklin could invest in public service, not necessarily because he prized it more highly, as Morgan would have it, but because his assured success as a capitalist made it possible for him to enlarge upon his various interests. To test this idea further it would be instructive to follow Franklin's legislative and diplomatic careers. Surely his reluctant but growing opposition to Parliament in the years before 1775 was based in very significant ways on his criticism of the English denial of American rights in property. In denying that Franklin's life can be understood in part as a compelling contribution to the history of U.S. political economy, Morgan misses an opportunity to see more clearly the man who he admits eluded him." ------------------------------ Excerpted from a review by George M. Curtis in "The Independent Review," Winter 2004.
Rating: 
Summary: Franklin Unplugged
Review: "Benjamin Franklin" by Edmund S. Morgan is an approachable and accessible volume on the colonial revolutionary, scientist, diplomat, postmaster general and man about many towns.
Morgan streamlines the many events and careers of this long-living individual into a manageable volume. You don't feel that you have to dedicate a significant percentage of your upcoming reading time over the next year to get to know Franklin better.
He lays out and provides insights into the familiar path of Franklin's life: from runaway Boston boy in Philadelphia, to printer and author, to diplomat, to revolutionary and then back again to diplomat and finally to survivor. He opens up the book by stripping away one of the key images of Franklin: the bespectacled scribbler writing away at his roll-up desk. He takes Franklin outside and onto the playing fields of life.
This volume may not be for everyone. It presupposes a little though not a lot of knowledge about Franklin. Likewise, if you know a tremendous amount about Franklin this book may not offer enough for you.
Rating:
Summary: insightful look at "the ornament of the New World"
Review: "Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly." So advised Dr. Franklin, and so he lived. It is difficult to know any historical figure, especially as his contemporaries knew him, and Franklin's being a multifaceted, sometimes enigmatic person makes knowing him particularly challenging--and also extremely interesting. But Edmund S. Morgan, relying on the thirty-six currently published volumes (with more on the way) of Franklin's writings, does an admirable job of introducing us to this famous Founder. It is not Morgan's intention to offer an exhaustive treatment of Franklin's life. Rather, he paints a portrait of the man's character, personality, and opinions and shows how these traits came through in what Franklin did. The picture of Franklin that emerges here is one of a curious, industrious, energetic man, one who enjoys the company of others (particularly women--and younger women at that), one who is devoted to public service, one who dislikes controversy and scandal. He uses his considerable talents to benefit his fellow man (and himself) and to improve the world around him, as he did for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and eventually for the nascent United States. Morgan traces three major ideas running through many of Franklin's actions--(1) his belief in voluntary associations for mutual assistance, such as the fire company and library in Philadelphia; (2) the goal, ultimately abandoned, of uniting the American colonies with England in an Anglo-American empire, a single political community destined for greatness; and (3) his belief that what is right is that which is beneficial. It is also interesting, and more than a little surprising, to note, as well, that from 1757 to his death in 1790, Franklin spent only eight years in his native land. Readers of this volume will inevitably want to turn to more in-depth biographies of Franklin, or perhaps even to his own writings. But for a brief and insightful picture of the man, either as introduction or re-acquaintance, I can imagine no better work than this one.
Rating:
Summary: insightful look at "the ornament of the New World"
Review: "Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly." So advised Dr. Franklin, and so he lived. It is difficult to know any historical figure, especially as his contemporaries knew him, and Franklin's being a multifaceted, sometimes enigmatic person makes knowing him particularly challenging--and also extremely interesting. But Edmund S. Morgan, relying on the thirty-six currently published volumes (with more on the way) of Franklin's writings, does an admirable job of introducing us to this famous Founder. It is not Morgan's intention to offer an exhaustive treatment of Franklin's life. Rather, he paints a portrait of the man's character, personality, and opinions and shows how these traits came through in what Franklin did. The picture of Franklin that emerges here is one of a curious, industrious, energetic man, one who enjoys the company of others (particularly women--and younger women at that), one who is devoted to public service, one who dislikes controversy and scandal. He uses his considerable talents to benefit his fellow man (and himself) and to improve the world around him, as he did for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and eventually for the nascent United States. Morgan traces three major ideas running through many of Franklin's actions--(1) his belief in voluntary associations for mutual assistance, such as the fire company and library in Philadelphia; (2) the goal, ultimately abandoned, of uniting the American colonies with England in an Anglo-American empire, a single political community destined for greatness; and (3) his belief that what is right is that which is beneficial. It is also interesting, and more than a little surprising, to note, as well, that from 1757 to his death in 1790, Franklin spent only eight years in his native land. Readers of this volume will inevitably want to turn to more in-depth biographies of Franklin, or perhaps even to his own writings. But for a brief and insightful picture of the man, either as introduction or re-acquaintance, I can imagine no better work than this one.
Rating:
Summary: Benjamin Franklin
Review: (...) Benjamin Franklin; we know about the remarkable things he did, but how do we really know him as a man? That is Edmund S. Morgan's question. Through Franklin's letters, newspapers, discoveries, autobiography, and a certain disk entitled, the Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Morgan has been compelled to write this book to give the world a taste of who Franklin was. Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, full of curiosity and vigor. He always felt the need to explore the world around him and to study the things that most took for granted. He could often be found outdoors walking about, taking in the scenery around him. He had an uncanny ability to look at everyday things with surprise and inquisitiveness. This endowment is what drove Franklin to make so many advances in human knowledge. He also thoroughly enjoyed being in the company of good friends; playing chess, telling jokes, and singing songs. He was a very sociable and companionable man; he was always looking to help people. Franklin also had his own views of religion. When Franklin was young he did a lot of thinking and writing on his morals. He came to believe that "Sin is not harmful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is harmful...Nor is a duty beneficial because it is commanded, but it is commanded because it is beneficial." Franklin never attended a church regularly and didn't take kindly to the Bible, though he undoubtedly believed in God as the creator. Franklin did not believe in a God who divided his people into those he intended to welcome to heaven and those he would condemn to Hell. Franklin even went on to write a lengthy list of virtues in his autobiography part 2. He always tried to do what he thought God wanted of him; he always tried to help the public and the economy. Franklin married Deborah Read in 1730 shortly after his first son, William, was born. The mother of this son is still unknown. When Franklin was entering his forties, he began studying about and experimenting with electricity. Only one kind of electricity was known back then, and that was static electricity, the kind that produces a shock. In the 1740's a collection of Leyden jars for storing static electricity was sent to Franklin by an English friend. Without delay, Franklin started experimenting with it. He soon discovered that a metal rod with a pointed end would attract a spark from a greater distance than a blunt one. He then went on to suggest the experiment with the kite and the key to prove that lightning was electric. His experiment was successful, and suddenly he was famous. Though, that is certainly not the only thing Franklin would become famous for. He helped write the Declaration of Independence, secured the Alliance with France, negotiated the treaty of peace with England, and partook in the convention that drafted the United States Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation. Franklin once wrote to his mother that when his life was over, "I would rather have it said, he lived usefully, than, he died rich." Franklin died on April 17, 1790. However, I feel saying that Benjamin Franklin lived usefully is a blatant understatement. Franklin was a man of great heart. He accomplished more things in his eighty-four years than most men could achieve in two-hundred. Benjamin Franklin was essential to the world.
Rating:
Summary: Good But Not Quite Fish Nor Fowl
Review: * I was a bit surprised when I picked up Edmund S. Morgan's
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN and found that it was only about 300 pages
long. Professor Morgan is clearly a scholar, and scholars
generally don't write short, simple works. Short, simple
works don't win them any prestige, they're not distinctive
enough to be salable, and besides, scholars are generally so
deeply into a subject that doing something short isn't all
that satisfying to them. Of course, I wasn't unhappy about finding a short biography
of the magnificent Franklin. Big scholarly biographies are
a fine thing in themselves, but they generally give me several
times more than I want to know or could retain, and a short
simple biography makes it easier to see the forest for the
trees. However, on reading Professor Morgan's FRANKLIN it wasn't quite
what I was expecting. Instead of a simple, general biography,
what Professor Morgan provides is a book that focuses mostly on
Franklin's political development and work. As such, it seems
more like a selectively edited-down version of a much larger
work. This was a bit disappointing because I was expecting something
more casual and entertaining, but that being said I have to go
on and say this is a good book. After all, it would almost
take effort to make Benjamin Franklin seem dull and uninteresting,
and if Professor Morgan doesn't focus on how colorful Franklin
was, he doesn't ignore it, either. One of my favorite comments
was Franklin reporting how, in a pre-Revolutionary visit to
France, the French got him to wear French clothes and adopt
French customs, and soon, he concluded, he would have to start
making love to the wives of his friends. Still, it is telling about Professor Morgan's book that he
doesn't add the famous story about how Franklin took to
wearing a coonskin cap during his diplomatic effort in France
to reinforce their perceptions of him as a person from a
wild, frontier country -- when Franklin had lived in cities
all his life. So this book comes across as a bit neither fish
nor fowl, not exactly the kind of book that would light up
someone who was just starting out on Franklin, and not
all that satisfactory to someone who couldn't get enough of
him and would want a lot more.
Rating: 
Summary: How to Mail in a Biography...
Review: ...by a Tired Academic
This is a boring, disconnected book written by a scholar who admits he don't know much about Benjamin Franklin and who conducted no new research to write it. This book is a mistake. I made a mistake buying it. Awful!
Rating: 
Summary: Quite a Fella...
Review: After reading this book, it's virtually impossible to say anything bad about Benjamin Franklin. John Adams apparently thought he was indolent, but that's probably because Adams didn't understand Franklin's style. And what a style he had! Take, for example, his famous quote about Adams: "...is always an honest Man, often a Wise One, but sometimes and in some things, absolutely out of his Senses". A candid, but balanced observation, considering the damage Adams had done to the diplomatic relationships Franklin worked so hard to build with France. Edmund Morgan's affection for Franklin comes through loud and clear in this well-written, absorbing book. There's not much of Franklin's family life here, although is touches on his relationships with his wife and two children. The focus is on his role as a public servant, which he took very seriously, and his modus operandi, which is fascinating. A highly social person, as a youth Franklin began founding organizations for the public good. He was responsible for organizing the first lending library and the first volunteer fire company. He later put this skill into diplomatic work with England and France and for the revolutionary cause. In addition to the enormous service he gave to his country, he took delight in being of service to his fellow man worldwide through his scientific research and inventions. The two most notable inventions were lightning rods (arising from his discovery of electricity) and the Franklin stove. At least as impressive as his accomplishments is the mastery with which he dealt with people, particularly in delicate situations. He knew when and how to use his renowned wit. Although he had strong views, he recognized the power of popular opinion and was capable of suppressing his views to achieve results. This is a well-written, well-organized portrait of Benjamin Franklin as public servant and social genius.
Rating:
Summary: Benjamin Franklin
Review: Another superb book from Edmund Morgan. While there are other bios of Franklin on the market at twice the size, Professor Morgan's concise treatment of the man's life tells a story in the best sense of that word. You learn about Franklin & come to understand this complicated man as best we can. While there are dozens of major events going on during his lifetime, Morgan mentions them but doesn't waste the reader's time going into unncessary detail. Those are best left for other books. Morgan's always been known for the quality of his writing and making history come alive with passion and pathos. An even greater skill of the author is being able to write concisely; each word counts for something. Anyone interested in learning about the great man, Dr. Franklin, should read Morgan's book and become captivated by the man, the story, and the unique character of our remarkable country.
Rating:
Summary: Great expose on our most interesting Founding Father.
Review: Being a Ben Franklin afficionado of sorts and one who enjoys a good biography, I became quite intrigued to learn that Edmund S. Morgan was weighing in with his largess and vaunted knowledge of Franklin. Mr. Morgan, at 86 years of age, still embodies the somewhat sterotypical historian yet has extinguished himself as a gifted biographer. A Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale (he retired from full-time teaching in '86), Mr. Morgan has written more than a dozen books covering various topics and spectrums. His books have been hailed as "groundbreaking" and have won award after award. In 2000, Mr. Morgan was awarded the National Humanities Medal and cited as "one of America's most distinguished historians." If Mr. Morgan's imposing reputation isn't enough, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN has already become the source material for an online history course offered by AllLearn, the triumvirate consortium for continuing education established by Yale, Stanford and Oxford Universities. And, heaping more critical praise, this book has already been named a main selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and an alternate selection of the History Book Club. As Mr. Morgan has been fond of saying, "History can be boring." Consequently, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN not only educates, but I found it entertaining as well, a claim many biographies would loved to be tagged with. Mr. Morgan extolls Franklin's intellectual gifts as well as his place in history. Thus, the reader learns a bit more about the man, Ben Franklin, than just his deeds. Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston although he soon made his way to Philadelphia, where he began his assent into historic laurel. Franklin's public career was nothing less than extraordinary. An author, scientist, politician, diplomat and inventor, he was a member of the 2nd Continental Congress and was instrumental in the creation and writing of the Declaration of Independence. His achievements were innumerable, from founding one of the country's first volunteer fire companies to his infamous discovery of electricity, a discovery founded on the "kite" legend. Although an incredible man, Morgan goes to great lengths to ensure that the reader understands Franklin's complicated relationship with England and, at times, poor politics. An ardent proponent of Mother England, his attachment to the country became extremely complex in the winter of his life and caused his stellar reputation to be somewhat tarnished. Hardline American statesmen reminded anyone who would listen that Franklin openly described himself as "an Englishman living in America." It is obvious that Mr. Morgan genuinely appreciates Franklin, his mind and accomplishments. "Intellectual curiosity is one of the rarest gifts and ... he was just loaded with curiosity. He never took things for granted," Morgan says. "He is the most modern of all the Founding Fathers, the oldest in years but the youngest in outlook. He takes you by surprise." Mr. Morgan's research for this offering was somewhat unorthodox by today's standards. He indicates that he did not read a biography on Franklin, rather he became enthralled by the existence of Franklin's complete papers on CD-ROM. The Packard Humanities Institute created the CD, which, Morgan says, compelled him to write the book. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is a remarkably "easy" read and one that is quite enjoyable. If I had one gripe, it is Mr. Morgan's depiction of Franklin's personal psyche or, should I say, lack of depiction. In many cases, biographers inundate a reader with a litany of personal information, which, at times, saturates the biography with distracting ideosyncratic nuances. In BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, I believe there was too little description of Franklin's personal life and private persona. This doesn't denigrate the book as a whole, rather it leaves the reader with a "hole" in the inquisitive understanding of Franklin. I strongly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in learning more about our Founding Fathers and an incredible man.
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