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Rating: 
Summary: The Essential Father is an excellent book!
Review: An enjoyable, informative book that doesn't spend time trying to find a cause to disagree with. Srodes is a masterful story teller who reports information without judgement, a refreshing concept these days.
Very pleasant book to re-read. Makes one wonder if this quality of leader will ever emerge again.
Rating:
Summary: The Essential Father is an excellent book!
Review: An enjoyable, informative book that doesn't spend time trying to find a cause to disagree with. Srodes is a masterful story teller who reports information without judgement, a refreshing concept these days.
Very pleasant book to re-read. Makes one wonder if this quality of leader will ever emerge again.
Rating:
Summary: Get this book.
Review: Certainly not the most balanced look at the popular founder, but a great read, nonetheless. Srodes is definitely a fan of Franklin and is most hesitant to cast Franklin in any bad light. You'll find no references to Franklin's dark side. Srodes attributes strategery and document creation as Franklin's finest attributes.
I believe the author overlooked the obvious on this point. For it was Franklin's ability to adapt to his environment that made his successes so broad based. (That's not a pun, by the way).
The author is able to accurately dispel many of the myths written about Franklin over the years, and does so quite admirably. Srodes takes you on the journey of Franklin from his youth as a struggling printer's apprentice to his success as a diplomat.Over the years, there have been enormous masses of material written about Franklin. The author here does a fine job of compacting that material and makes this a fine resource addition on Franklin. Terrific compilations of factual writings, mixed with the literary prose of one of today's finest writers make this a welcome addition to any library.
Rating: 
Summary: An essential book about the essential founding father...
Review: Mr. Srodes has taken a new look at Uncle Ben. And, that look contrasts rather sharply with the view of Franklin presented by, for example, David McCullough in his Adams book. Adams did not like Franklin--neither does McCullough, who has an entire index section labled "Franklin, Benjamin: JA's reputation blackened by..." Heady stuff that, I think that Srodes is much more balanced. For example, his chapter 'Dismal Days' provides the reader, whether casual or scholarly, with a perceptive analysis of the relationships between and Franklin, Adams, the Virginian, Arthur Lee, and their French hosts. Franklin fit the environment in which he had to function; clearly, Adams did not...or perhaps, could not. After reading what Srodes has to say, one can better comprehend why Adams became so unhappy with his diminished role. We should never forget that Franklin delivered the goods! This book is a must read for anyone desiring a new set of insights into Franklin's activities abroad on behalf of his country and especially, his critical role, is garnering the support from abroad needed to win our independence.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Biography of Benjamin Franklin
Review: This is an excellently researched and written book. Recently discovered documents, unseen for centuries, allow the author to more fully describe Franklin's critical role as a diplomat. This is a thorough biography that shows us the many sides of Franklin: as politician, as Scientist, as inventor, and as a most important figure in the creation of our nation.
Franklin was an early proponent of unifying the colonies, even advocating such before others considered uniting for purposes of independence from England. Franklin advocated creating a Governor General for all British colonies who could lead a unified colonial defense and attack against the French colonial army. Yet, the idea was rejected.
The book explores the many aspects of Franklin's life: such as his notable experiments with electricity that won him much respect and gratitude for publishing only facts he had proven and for describing how his results could be duplicated. We see Franklin as one who purposely did not care if high society saw him with his illegitimate son as a fellow diplomat. We further see his private torment as his son is imprisoned as a British loyalist, yet Franklin chose not to intercede on his son's behalf.
Ben Franklin is one of the great Americans of all time. This is a great biography of a great man. It is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Biography of Benjamin Franklin
Review: This is an excellently researched and written book. Recently discovered documents, unseen for centuries, allow the author to more fully describe Franklin's critical role as a diplomat. This is a thorough biography that shows us the many sides of Franklin: as politician, as Scientist, as inventor, and as a most important figure in the creation of our nation.
Franklin was an early proponent of unifying the colonies, even advocating such before others considered uniting for purposes of independence from England. Franklin advocated creating a Governor General for all British colonies who could lead a unified colonial defense and attack against the French colonial army. Yet, the idea was rejected.
The book explores the many aspects of Franklin's life: such as his notable experiments with electricity that won him much respect and gratitude for publishing only facts he had proven and for describing how his results could be duplicated. We see Franklin as one who purposely did not care if high society saw him with his illegitimate son as a fellow diplomat. We further see his private torment as his son is imprisoned as a British loyalist, yet Franklin chose not to intercede on his son's behalf.
Ben Franklin is one of the great Americans of all time. This is a great biography of a great man. It is highly recommended.
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