Ben Franklin and the Chamber of Time

by Chris Heimerdinger

Ben Franklin and the Chamber of Time is a story of Franklin's invention that brings him hurling through time and space from 1790 to 1995. He sees many new and marvelous things, is taken in by a nice family and is involved in intrigue and danger. All this while teaching about what matters most including values, goals and daily tasks. He leaves as he came for another adventure.

Genres: Fantasy, Lds Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Lds, Science Fiction

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Chris Heimerdinger is an author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who has presently written sixteen adult and young adult novels, most of which center on religious themes familiar to LDS members. Most are published with Covenant Communications in American Fork, Utah. One title, A Return to Christmas was also picked up by Random House/Ballantine in 1995. When the title was released by Ballantine in 2004, it was republished by Covenant Communications.

Reviews

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books of all time! This was also one of my favorites of this author. I loved the possibilities of changing history and the interesting twists involved. I just enjoyed every page of this book.

[Aurora Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1790, the year Ben Franklin was supposed to die, he decides as a last ditch attempt at living, to go into his "rejuvenation chamber". This machine instead propels in back and forth in time, accidentally stumbling on several scenes that contribute to the book's plot. He eventually lands in 1993 and encounters a family on the verge of collapse. He only has days to try and mend this broken family.

When I saw the cover of this book, I definitely didn't think that I would like it as much as I did. It's entirely improbable and the whole thing is rather silly, but the story was endearing, charming, and gripping. The entire time, Franklin is trying to figure out how Tory is going to end up in the place he is in and the way it is depicted is absolutely wonderful. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the ending left on a HUGE cliffhanger. It was delightfully vexing, and while it was frustrating, it was frustrating in the best way. Warnings that I would give for this would be about Tory and his illicit activities and gang violence.

[Emilou · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago, back when I was a teenager. I liked Heimerdinger's Tennis Shoes series, and started reading all his other books. I thought it was a good book back then, but after reading it now as an adult, I found it not as exciting as I thought it would be. It felt like a book written by a historical nerd. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. And it really bothered me how quickly and frequently the author would change his POV in the same scene.

[Stephen Greco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I am a big fan of Benjamin Franklin and found this book to be a lot of fun.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author wrote this book.

[Tabetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to share a childhood favorite with my kids.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Brian was about 10 I had him read the first tennis shoes book by Chris Heimerdinger, when we found found more we started buying them for each other for Chirstmas and birthdays. Now Ben is 11 and not as interested in the tenis shoes but likes other books by this author, Passage to Zarahemla and Eddie Fantastic, this is the latest one we found at the library although is has been around quite awhile. If you are looking for something for boys these are really fun and they always have a good moral lesson tied into them as well. Keep in mind 10 may be a bit young. Both Brian and Ben where exceptional readers for thier age. I have enjoyed reading them and talking about them with the boys, the what if possibilities of time travel what you would do if you could and who could you see are fun things to discuss with my boys.

[Ryne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been so long since I read this that I can't give a complete review. Anyway, this book was based on a creative idea (time traveling + rapid aging). I seem to recall the teen characters weren't as compelling, and I thought the ending of the book was a bit of a cop-out. It was an interesting read, though.

[Audri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its not the kind of genre I read. It was hard to get into it and fully be sucked in. The story was a pretty OK one I suppose. And, it kinda leaves you with a sort of cliffhanger in the end. Aside from those, not very climactic for my taste

[Steven Llewellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thought of this book a lot since I read it years ago. I really love it's premise, and have thought often about being the tour guide for some famous person from the past. It is a book that will inspire thought.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why, but I love everything I have read with Ben Franklin in it. Including this book. I rate it highly for the conversation about values: what would you be willing to risk your life/fears for?

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one interesting. Though much of the book was fictional, it still helped make a figure in history more real to me.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book is that it addresses the idea of what our founding fathers would think of our world today and how we view them. It's interesting and a fun read.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also my second time since I own it. A little slow but interesting concept of Ben Franklin's experience in our day.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

lame it was kind of scary. because tory got some bad things in his life

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben franklin is transported into modern day. Cool! It's really funny when he finds the elctrical socket.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, quick read, but wasn't really an amazing read-aloud for my daughter (10). She was pretty bored. I would still recommend it for someone a little older.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and lost it am going to have to rebuy

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good...yup.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a fun book to listen to with my kids while driving in the car. We all enjoyed the story and the time together. They wanted to listen to more when we were done!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book awhile ago. I remember liking it, but I can't remember much about it. Maybe I'll have to read it again.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda cool. It's been a few years since I read it. Crazy!

[Kimball · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was vague the writing was bad but, the climax was fine,

[Conrad Houser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, light, a bit thought provoking. Easy read. Great bed time story.

[Raymond Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really held my interest. Good use of historical information on Ben Franklin. Good uplifting story.

[Todd Lemmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read that captures the interest and is fun. The historical information about Ben Franklin is interesting and I learned more about him as a result of reading this entertaining book.

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sci mixed with a tiny bit of HF.
Ben Franklin travels into the future to the 1990's.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great educational book filled with quotes from Ben Franklin. Very entertaining.

[B.M.B. Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very much. I didn't know quite what to expect from a dedicated LDS writer, but he pulled it off without preachiness. The ending was unexpected and the book was very funny in parts.