Rating: 
Summary: wha's the arcana imperi?
Review: franklin says he read the book George III's policy's are based on, the 'arcana imperi?' what's that about? and where do I find it?
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Summary: An Unfinished Autobiography of the Consumate American Life
Review: Franklin wrote this autobiography as a letter of instruction in the ways of the world to his youthful and illegitimate son of 40. It only covers the first half or so of his incredible life, so the things that really made him well-known are not covered, but there is plenty here anyway. Franklin recounts his family's modest life in England and the circumstances that brought them to Boston. He was among the youngest of a very large family, ultimately finding his way to Philadelphia to find work as a printer when an apprenticeship with an older brother turned sour. We always think of Franklin as being a slightly older statesman among the Founding Fathers, when in fact he was a full generation older than Washington or Jefferson. Unlike popular perception, he was an athletic and vibrant youth, who rescued a drowning Dutch companion and taught swimming to children of London's elite. Philadelphia in the 1720's and 1730's was a small town, never sure if it would really take off as a settlement. Franklin quickly befriended key politicians who felt Philadelphia had grown sufficiently to have a world-class print shop. He played a key role in the town's development, leading civic groups in establishing libraries, fire companies, meeting halls, and street cleaning services. Of course, he was also the consummate politician, serving in office, and networking his way to his first fortune by publishing government documents and printing the first paper currency. He also had a knack for working with the several important religious sects of that time and place, especially the pacifist Quakers, even though Franklin was a deist. Franklin was a clever businessman. In today's lexicon, he effectively franchised across the colonies his concept of the publisher/printer who would provide both the content and the ink on paper. By age 30, he had set up his business affairs so that his printing businesses in several colonies were operated by partners and he received a share of the profits, allowing him to pursue other interests. The autobiography is unfinished, so we don't hear his account of his pursuits of electricity, which made him as famous and well-known as Bill Gates is today, nor his thought on the Revolution. Franklin did play a key role in establishing logistical support to the British during their fight with the French in the New World. At that time and during his years in Europe, he was generally perceived as a Tory supporter. Read this book to learn how Franklin devoted himself to self-improvement by establishing clubs, lending libraries, a sober lifestyle allowing time for study, and his methods for measuring his personal performance against metrics he had established for a proper lifestyle. One will also gather a new appreciation for the fullness, utility, and richness of the English language when put on paper by a master.
Rating:
Summary: An Unfinished Autobiography of the Consumate American Life
Review: Franklin wrote this autobiography as a letter of instruction in the ways of the world to his youthful and illegitimate son of 40. It only covers the first half or so of his incredible life, so the things that really made him well-known are not covered, but there is plenty here anyway. Franklin recounts his family's modest life in England and the circumstances that brought them to Boston. He was among the youngest of a very large family, ultimately finding his way to Philadelphia to find work as a printer when an apprenticeship with an older brother turned sour. We always think of Franklin as being a slightly older statesman among the Founding Fathers, when in fact he was a full generation older than Washington or Jefferson. Unlike popular perception, he was an athletic and vibrant youth, who rescued a drowning Dutch companion and taught swimming to children of London's elite. Philadelphia in the 1720's and 1730's was a small town, never sure if it would really take off as a settlement. Franklin quickly befriended key politicians who felt Philadelphia had grown sufficiently to have a world-class print shop. He played a key role in the town's development, leading civic groups in establishing libraries, fire companies, meeting halls, and street cleaning services. Of course, he was also the consummate politician, serving in office, and networking his way to his first fortune by publishing government documents and printing the first paper currency. He also had a knack for working with the several important religious sects of that time and place, especially the pacifist Quakers, even though Franklin was a deist. Franklin was a clever businessman. In today's lexicon, he effectively franchised across the colonies his concept of the publisher/printer who would provide both the content and the ink on paper. By age 30, he had set up his business affairs so that his printing businesses in several colonies were operated by partners and he received a share of the profits, allowing him to pursue other interests. The autobiography is unfinished, so we don't hear his account of his pursuits of electricity, which made him as famous and well-known as Bill Gates is today, nor his thought on the Revolution. Franklin did play a key role in establishing logistical support to the British during their fight with the French in the New World. At that time and during his years in Europe, he was generally perceived as a Tory supporter. Read this book to learn how Franklin devoted himself to self-improvement by establishing clubs, lending libraries, a sober lifestyle allowing time for study, and his methods for measuring his personal performance against metrics he had established for a proper lifestyle. One will also gather a new appreciation for the fullness, utility, and richness of the English language when put on paper by a master.
Rating:
Summary: The first American advertisement for myself
Review: Franklin's genius extended to many different areas. No doubt one of the most important was self - promotion .He was the first great American advertising man. And the product was hard- working honest, frugal, modest, virtuous Ben Franklin. His letter to his son is a letter to the world in which he explains and justifies himself. He also provides a kind of ' how- to- do - it ' success guide and is in this way a pioneer, an inventor of this genre also.
Franklin tells us how through hard- work, and virtue he rose from nowhere to great prominence. He perhaps does not tell us however enough about the source of his extraordinary inventiveness and energy .
The autobiography covers only a certain portion of his life does not include the work of later years including his key role in the American revolution, and his remarkable work as Ambassador .
The work is without question an American landmark and classic which for seem really defines the ' American money- making and success- obsessed society' at its best.
But the work also deliberately conceals much, and certainly does not touch upon other sides of Franklin including his not very modest behavior with the fair sex. Franklin was a far more complex character than this biography suggests. He in a sense simplified himself to make himself more saleable . So the key to the various mysteries of Franklin's life must be found in other works, not in this one.
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Summary: Timeless Advice and Ideas
Review: Franklin's timeless words echo through the centuries in this wonderful autobiography. In its pages we can catch a glimpse of Franklins extraordinarily beautiful mind, his wit, and his wisdom. If you are young, and just starting out on life's amazing journey, read Franklin's words. If you're not so young anymore, read Franklins words; after all, it's never too late learn about life.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless Advice and Ideas
Review: Franklin's timeless words echo through the centuries in this wonderful autobiography. In its pages we can catch a glimpse of Franklins extraordinarily beautiful mind, his wit, and his wisdom. If you are young, and just starting out on life's amazing journey, read Franklin's words. If you're not so young anymore, read Franklins words; after all, it's never too late learn about life.
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Summary: A fascinating look into the character of "One of a Kind"
Review: I believe that this book is considered a classic of its type. Dr. Franklin tells his story up to 1771, and a most unusual story it is. Franklin's intelligence, general sagacity and energy are almost unmatched anywhere or any time. His accomplishments are so many and so varied that they would be unbelievable if not documented. A surprise to me was that he was very strong and athletic in his younger years. Being a printer, he regularly had to take carriers of type to the press. In a long stay in London, where he hired out to a printer, he would carry two rack of type up the stairs to the second floor, one in each hand. All the other employees carried one rack in two hands. They couldn't understand how he could do such a thing when they always drank "strong beer" and he only drank water. Franklin was a master swimmer who could swim for great distances and do many different strokes and tricks in the water. His major accomplishments hardly need detailing although the vastness of them will come as a surprise to people who have not previously seen a description of all of them. Dr. Franklin shows a certain amount of pride and conceit in this book even though he seems to try not to. It really doesn't show that much ego however, considering what he had to be proud of. The language used in this book is quaint to 21st. century people, but interesting and completely understandable. It's a pity that he never completed his autobiography, covering the Revolution and afterward. Considering his immense efforts for the new country during that time, it's no surprise that he didn't have time to do it. I think that no one should miss spending a little time with this extraordinary, unique and fascinating man through this book.
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Summary: History and Personality
Review: I can think of many reasons to read the Autobiography. I came away with many things after I was done. The detailed way in which Franklin covers his material (what material he does cover in the broken narrative) must be a delight for historians. Moreover, I found that Franklin's personality shone so strongly through the text that I had to laugh out loud on several occasions. I gave the book four stars because I found that the other writings included were a bit stingy. Some were so delightful ("Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress") and the period that's not covered by the autobiography is so large, that I think a wider selection would have been helpful.
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Summary: Franklin in his own words. What more could you want?
Review: I find the Autobiography a fascinating look into the everyday life of our country's Colonial age! Franklin's narration is clean and descriptive and totally engrossing! The story of his early life and how he came to be a businessman and statesman is well worth 5 stars but also included in this gem is "The Selected Writings" which includes "The Way to Wealth" as well as five more sections (Essays to Do Good, Franklin the Scientist, Franklin and the Revolution, The Family Man, and Something of His Religion) all include various letters and essays and are an entertaining look into Franklin and his view of the world! For an American History buff this is a must book for the collection and for Children... this book is a fantastic way to introduce any Child to History and the REAL Life of one of our beloved Signers of the Declaration of Independence!
Rating:
Summary: pretty good reading
Review: I had to read this book for summer reading at school, if you also are buying one for summer reading, don't worry, everyone says its boring but its really not, i found it to be very interesting. He talks on and on about so many frivoulous things in his life but it all comes together and you can see how amazing this man truly was. He has his own sense of humor and uses his great story telling techniquess to bring out the best of his life.
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