Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker's Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty

by Russell Freedman

In 1723 Ben Franklin arrived in Philadelphia as a poor and friendless seventeen-year-old who had run away from his family and an apprenticeship in Boston. Sixty-two years later he stepped ashore in nearly the same spot but was greeted by cannons, bells, and a cheering crowd, now a distinguished statesman, renowned author, and world-famous scientist. Freedman's riveting story of how a rebellious apprentice became an American icon comes in an elegantly designed book filled with art and includes a timeline, source notes, bibliography, and index

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, American History, Middle Grade, Childrens, Juvenile

96 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2013

About the author

Russell A. Freedman was an American biographer and the author of nearly 50 books for young people. He may be known best for winning the 1988 Newbery Medal with his work Lincoln: A Photobiography.

He grew up in San Francisco and attended the University of California, Berkeley, and then worked as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press and as a publicity writer. His nonfiction books ranged in subject from the lives and behaviors of animals to people in history. Freeedman's work has earned him several awards, including a Newbery Honor each for Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery in 1994 and The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane in 1992, and a Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal.

Freedman traveled extensively throughout the world to gather information and inspiration for his books. His book, Confucius: The Golden Rule was inspired by his extensive travels through Mainland China, where he visited Confucius' hometown in modern day QuFu, in the Shantung Province.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous in presentation. We have many books on Franklin (and most of the stories are very much the same, often coming from the autobiography), but this one has so many beautiful illustrations taken from a variety of sources, all nicely labeled. Also useful to have a timeline and a bibliography.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm wavering between 4 and 5 stars on this one. Russell Freedman does his usual impeccable job of conducting thorough research and then presenting interesting anecdotes from the life of his subject. The stories and information go down smoothly because of the author's always engaging storytelling, but also because there is so much to tell. By anyone's account, Ben Franklin lived a full life as a writer, printer, statesman, inventor, and scientist. Young readers will find the details about his formative years enlightening as he felt highly put upon by his older brother, and they will feel the sting of disappointment when promises by patrons don't pan out once he heads to London. But they will just as fascinated to note how he somehow made the best of his situations, able to navigate life on the continent just as easily as life in the American colonies. So deeply was he involved in the fight for freedom that he and his son, William, who was loyal to the crown, never healed their estrangement. Filled with documents and artwork from Franklin's times, this book makes quite clear just how important Franklin was to this country's independence. I closed the book, newly impressed with the author of Poor Richard's Almanack, but also saddened by how much time he spent away from home. I'd have liked to know more about his later years and his wife's perspective, given that he was away on business for his country when she died.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can one say about Russell Freedman, the unquestioned dean of American children's nonfiction writers? The man could fill a room with his awards, which include a Newbery (Lincoln: A Photobiography, 1988) and three Honors (The Wright Brothers, 1992; Eleanor Roosevelt, 1994; The Voice that Challenged a Nation, 2005); a Sibert (The Voice that Challenged a Nation, 2005) and an Honor (Lafayette and the American Revolution, 2011); a ridiculous five Golden Kites; the 1998 Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal; and a National Humanities Medal (2007). We're getting to the point where you could tell me that he has a Nobel Prize stashed underneath his couch cushions and I'd probably believe you.

Anyway, one of the side effects of being the illustration that the dictionary uses for "acclaimed" is that expectations for your work become high. Very high. Maybe unreachably high, which brings us to Freedman's latest effort, Becoming Ben Franklin.

BBF covers Franklin's entire life, from his birth in Boston to his death 84 years later. Freedman tries to give a balanced view of Franklin's dizzying array of accomplishments as a statesman, scientist, inventor, author, and printer -- and he largely succeeds. I've read a good deal of Franklin-related material, including his Autobiography, and Freedman does about as well in condensing his subject's incredible life into a children's book of less than 100 pages as I think it's possible to do.

However, I do have some quibbles with the book. The first chapter seemed weak to me, as it didn't leave me with the knowledge of why I should care about Franklin's life. That's not a huge issue for me as an adult reader, but for a child, who may not know a whole lot about who Franklin was, I really feel like more of a clearly stated thesis would be helpful up front.

Additionally, there is at least one instance where I'm not sure about the exactitude of the facts. On page 75, Freedman states, "Slavery in the United States would continue until America's Civil War and Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1863." However, that's not actually true -- famously, the Emancipation Proclamation only freed the slaves in the Confederate states, and the Thirteenth Amendment, which ended slavery in the rest of the union, wasn't passed until December of 1865, months after the Civil War had ended. It's a small issue, but it does affect the Presentation of Information item in the Newbery criteria -- and it's especially odd coming from a writer who won the Newbery for his book about Lincoln.

Small issues aside, Becoming Ben Franklin is a very good book, a worthy addition to any library, and a fantastic introduction to one of the most wide-ranging American minds. However, I think it's a minor entry in Freedman's bibliography, one that doesn't quite reach the level of his stellar best work.


This review also appeared on abouttomock.blogspot.com

[Antanas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please don't feel like this isn't a good book based on my review. History, social studies, and politic stuff just isn't my thing. I'm sure if you like that kind of stuff you'll like this book.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief biography of Benjamin Franklin. He was incredibly bright and worked hard to contribute much to society in the early days of the American colonies and the United States of America. I enjoyed learned about the details of his diplomacy and his many inventions. He certainly had a growth mindset, and we would all do well to emulate that!

[Youssef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin was born on the 17th of January 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. His brother and his parents did not have enough money for him to intend school more than two years. When he got to the age of 21 years old he escaped to Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. When he got there he started making newspapers and later on he became a printer. Later on as a newspaperman he started printing a German newspaper in America. He became author couple years and had a lot of success. He finally started helping America in the revolutionary to be free and created many different educational and interesting quotes. He became a governor and the 6th president of Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin’s favorite country was France. He usually always went to party there. Ben Franklin was also someone that did not like slavery. He had couple of slaves and finally let them free. So as one can see Benjamin Franklin was at the time a good guy and a very hard an inspired worker as well.


There are many different questions about Benjamin Franklin. One is what was the cause and effect in this book? Well Benjamin Franklin wanted something specific, he wanted independence for his country and he got it with his will of independence. Another question is what did Ben Franklin accomplish? Well he became a governor and a very important American citizen writing a lot of papers and becoming someone very important in the revolutionary war. Finally the last question is what beliefs of this person changed the world? As the author clearly stated in the book Ben Franklin wanted independence he believed that his country the United States of America had to be independent. So as one can see there are many different questions that can be answered on Benjamin Franklin.


I would recommend this book too much different kind of people. I would especially recommend it to historians and people who are interested in history. Second I would recommend this book to the people who like Benjamin Franklin and who like what he has accomplished throughout his life. 3rd I would recommend this book to young Americans in order to learn their countries history and their countries hero and how did American became independent. I would also recommend this book to the people who want to learn about historical American heroes. So as one can see I can recommend this book to many different kinds of people.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. As usual, Freedman, the longstanding top 2 or 3 nonfiction writers for youth, wrote an engrossing account of Franklin. He shows all of Franklin's various selves and points out that Franklin was the only Founding Father to sign all 4 of the major documents leading to the establishment of the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Peace Treaty with England and the Constitution of the United States. He was also one of the few Founding Fathers to come out against slavery and take an active part in combating it in part by sending an unsuccessful petition to Congress which rejected it claiming they could not interfere with the States. He shows that Franklin was a scientist, an inventor, a diplomat, a family man and a loyal American before many accepted that the route forward would be freedom from Britain. Since this is a kid's book, he does not investigate Franklin's love of the ladies except to point out that his wife raised his son William by a woman never identified by Benjamin who was born before their marriage.

Freedman may not be actively joining a current movement among youth nonfiction writers (such as Aronson) to explain just how they did their research in their books but he seems to scrupulously do source notes, list a bibliography, and have an extensive index. He pays careful attention to the way a book looks, using many paintings and etchings of Franklin and his times. It won't surprise me if Freedman wins some more awards for this book to go with the Newbery, Newbery Honor, Sibert, Orbis Picture book awards and probably many more awards. He must have a separate room just to house all the awards he has justifiably received for his writing.

[Lady Lioness · Rating 5 out of 5]

From page 73: "The Constitution, which vests all power in 'We the People,' has proven to be the most successful document of its kind ever written. It is the oldest written constitution still in use by any nation in the world, and we today are 'the People' for whom it was intended."

After seventy-two preceding pages that detailed how Franklin helped turn the thirteen colonies into the United States, I'm not ashamed to admit I got a little teary when I read the sentence above. Freedman continues to recount the lives of notable figures in a manner that is accessible and mostly balanced. This is meant for children, so he glosses over some of Franklin's rougher edges (i.e. his relationships with the fairer sex and the origin of his illegitimate son), but I kept wishing this book had been around when I was still in AP US History. It provides an excellent overview and there's a bibliography at the back for readers wishing for a more in-depth look at Franklin's remarkable life. Like all of Freedman's biographies, I think this would be an excellent addition to a library's collection.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decorated with images of historical diagrams, documents, engravings and paintings, and enlivened with many quotes and anecdotal mater, Freedman presents Franklin's life story for upper elementary students. Only 86 pages long, yet the author packs a lot of important information into the book about what was happening in America and Europe while he reveals how Franklin became an American icon through intelligence, hard work, and imagination. Using clear writing and organization, award-winning Freedman does it again!

[Madison Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russel Freedman has done a wonderful job of complying his extensive research about Benjamin Franklin, and creating interesting and engaging narratives that give great context and insight into his life. There is many maps, pictures, and hand-written letters from his time that were included in Benjamin Franklins autobiography, and this also helps the reader gain insight on Benjamin Franklin's life. Freedman engages the reader from the beginning by starting the book with Ben's sail off to Philadelphia, where he met the love of his life, and sets the frame for his life. Freedman also discusses his life as a writer, inventor, and painter, among other things. Freedman helps readers understand the impact that Benjamin Franklin's life has made on our country, as well as many other countries, and the fulfilling life that he lived. I gave this book a four because although it is very informative, it is also very text heavy. I would recommend this book to any age from 10 and higher, so that the material and information presented is understood.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm attempting to read all of the books on this year's Battle of the Books for grades 6-8, and this one is one of the shortest 😉. Admittedly, I have long been a fan of this founding father and have read several books about him previously, including his autobiography. I learned some new information about Ben Franklin from this book and found it an informative, if not completely ingrossing, biography. I recommend this book for middle school students who want to learn about Franklin in depth. This book even includes details about Franklin's habit of "air bathing" but not in so much detail as to be inappropriate, for the most part. Students will also appreciate the many illustrations and primary source materials included that help better picture Franklin's life and times.

[Mrs. Nelson , VMS Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational, entertaining (for those who enjoy history), and impressive. Ben Franklin was a man who wore many hats. His involvement in the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress, and the Constitution is enough to have brought him fame but he was also an inventor (doing a lot more than harnessing lightning with a kite), a printer, and a soap maker. His life is fascinating. This was one of the 2024 Jr. High Battle of the Books selections, and my students enjoyed it overall. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy history (particularly American history), those from or traveling to Philadelphia (know your people!), and/or people who enjoy biographies.

[Dorian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is like the 5th Grader version of the Autobiography of Ben Franklin. Although, it was interesting to hear about the relationship he had with his son and his later years.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography about the famous inventor, printer, patriot, etc. Well-researched and heavily illustrated with engravings and paintings of the time (although I was irked several times at the placement of the illustrations, because the detailed captions would give away a fact, like how long he stayed in a particular place, or the outcome of an event, that hadn't yet been told in the next paragraph). Things I learned from this book that I never knew (or had long forgotten): Benjamin Franklin always traveled with his own printing press, even to Europe! As a young man he was an excellent swimmer, and impressed his friends with swimming feats in the Thames River in London and also by swimming around the ship during one of his return voyages! His son William became Governor of New Jersey, but remained a Loyalist and was imprisoned in New York during the Revolution, while Franklin fought on the Patriot side. And I loved the amusing anecdote of the night Ben shared a room at an inn with John Adams and another Patriot on their way to a meeting; the open window caused Adams distress, as he was afraid the cold air would make him sick. Franklin, who knew more about the actual science of how colds are passed from person to person and not from cold air, proceeded to explain in a lecture all about his theory of colds, which put Adams to sleep!

[Asher T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Becoming Ben Franklin by Russell Freedmen. The author central idea is who was Ben Franklin, and what did he do in his lifetime. The story takes place in Philadelphia,PA where he settles down in his printing press store. Ben Franklin became one of our founding fathers by being so influential. The book is written in third person. This book is an autobiography because the author is describing Ben Franklin's life and his great achievements that shaped present. This story has facts that I already knew about Ben Franklin, but there were many ideas I did not know about Ben Franklin.

I rated this book 3 stars. This book toward the beginning was very hard to understand what was going on. Then as the book progressed it made more sense. When they were talking about Ben Franklin starting his own business I understood that part of the book. When they had the starting setting I was totally confused.I liked this book because it really taught me about who Ben Franklin was, and what his significance was. A strength was solid detail, and characters were easily defined. A weakness was its length. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know who Ben Franklin was.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew little of Benjamin Franklin beyond that he was a printer, flew a kite in an electrical storm, and was one of the Founding Fathers. This book proved to be a very informative and engaging introduction. Russell Freedman has a gift for pairing pictures and text, the personal and the historical context. Ben Franklin's ambition, curiosity, and desire for knowledge fueled his life. His influence on the affairs of his time are well-demonstrated but his personal and family life are only lightly touched on.

Book Pairings: At the library, we paired this tween/young adult book with the recent adult book Book of Ages about his sister Jane Franklin Mecom by Jill Lepore for a multi-age Narrative Nonfiction Book Group discussion. It made an excellent pairing. Some of the personal that is lost in the public figure biography such as Becoming Ben Franklin is revealed in his lifelong correspondence with his sister. Jane Franklin Mecom's far more difficult, constrained, and, perhaps more typical, life during this time period adds some much needed context to our understanding of history.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This author made great use of the different sources for pictures and information. When I first started, I was, here goes another story of Ben Franklin. The first chapter blew me away. I didn't know of his early life and he got started. In the entire book what I felt is that he had an engaging personality from an early start and must have been well spoken. He also had a lot of courage and perseverance.

One thing that shocked me is that when he got all the way to England in 1725, the letters of credit and recommendations from Philidelphia's Governor Keith were not in the bag as promised. A fellow passenger told him to make the most of it and improve himself, then go back with a great advantage. He spent 18 months in London. Can you believe it?

I didn't realize he'd spent years away from home at a time representing the colonies. Only with his help did France help support the Revolutionary War.

I liked the way he always was trying to improve himself and inventing things. So many things we take for granted, Ben Franklin had a hand in.

It was fascinating and makes me want to read more about him! I'd like to read the adult versions.

[Albert H]

Becoming Ben Franklin is a biography about Benjamin Franklin's achievements. Ben Franklin was born in Boston, and ran away to Philadelphia when he was seventeen. He also spent many years overseas in London and France. Benjamin Franklin is the famous discoverer of electricity, printer, and essential messenger between England and America. Benjamin ran away to Philadelphia as a teenager. Shortly following apprenticeship as a printer, Ben's career turned to politics, and he spent the majority of his remaining years attempting to mend the bonds between England and America.

This book allows the reader to look at some of the more obscure accomplishments of a famous person. I never knew about Ben's public contributions such as universities or his lighting rod experiment until I read this book. Only now do recognize many of the contributions of this inventor and politician. It was a wonderful learning experience to read this book. This book has a incredible amount of detail. I would recommend this book to people interested in American History, inventing, or politics.

[J. Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming Ben Franklin by Russell Freedman (NF)
Rating: 5/5 Stars

From his earliest years as a printer's apprenctice, to his obituary, where he continued to self-identify first and foremost as a printer, Becoming Ben Franklin chronologically explores the life and accomplishments of one of our most prolific and integral founding fathers. Concise in language and content, this book integrates the critical achievements, creations, and discoveries of an absolutely fascinating man.
Librarian's admission: I enjoy non fiction as much as, if not more than, fiction. There is something about setting down a book and being a different, more informed person than when you picked it up. This book lands squarely in that category; Becoming Ben Franklin is a quick, fascinating read, that beautifully details just how insanely clever and influential this man was. Hardly a day went by that he didn't change the political and domestic fabric of the colonies, the life of every individual colonist, and the life of every American and human being to come (including you and me). While this read is definitely inspiring, the book and the man are, more simply, awe-inspiring.

[Dawn Moews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a well-written biography of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is one of the most interesting men in American history, but I think he is underrated by many Americans. This book did a wonderful job of helping the reader to see and experience Franklin's role in shaping our country, not only at home, but on the world stage.

I believe that the beginning of America saw a coming together of some of the most extraordinary men of all times--Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, and many others--this book helped to convince me that Franklin's sphere of influence was among the most profound. The book is well documented, and the use of graphics throughout the book enhances the information contained in it.

The Time Line, Source Notes, Picture Credits, annotated Selected Bibliography, and Index at the back of the book give it increased credibility.

I have read about and studied Benjamin Franklin in he past, but I learned new details in this book. I think it is an awesome book and would be happy to recommend it to adults and students alike. (N15-16/6-8)

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

To his outstanding collection Freedman has added this thorough and engaging accouting of Franklin. I rarely give a five-star but I was that enthused about the book. It is exhilerating to see such a marvelous use of the picutre book genre to convey beauty and text, fully engaging the reader. It helps to be a lover of history and historical biography but without being requisite. One is drawn in and settles down to see how it all ends--even knowing it already. The wonderfully integrated antecdotes and lesser known facts gives life to a person about whom we conclude that it would have been great to have known such whimsy, curiosity, and sheer intelligence. Bravo for taking this genre to a new level, one that can be appreciated quite a ways up the academic ladder. These would not suffice for serious research but fully satisfy the curious reader who wants to spend an afternoon with an interesting person, meaning both writer and subject. Well done!

[Lauren Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming Ben Franklin is a great nonfiction book on the famous Benjamin Franklin. The author presents a good amount of information on Franklin in a short number of pages. The book outlines Franklin’s life from beginning to end. It explains how Ben Franklin had many experiments with lightning and later discovered that lighting was attracted to metal allowing people to later on protect their houses. He also provides pictures throughout the book to help break up the text. I believe his book is aimed for age’s sixth grade and up. Although I know fourth graders are capable of reading this text, I believe that it is often times hard to hand younger kids a chapter book on subjects like this and expect them to understand it. This book reminds me of a textbook, I think it would be interesting for upper level students because it is a great written book, but I believe younger students would become bored.

[Matlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming Ben Franklin is a wonderful biography all about the colony's favorite man. Starting from the age of sixteen and continuing to his death, this book is nothing but Ben Franklin. Jam packed full of facts, information, and quotes from Franklin himself, you're sure to learn something that you never knew before. It is put into a sort of story format, so it is easy to follow and makes the read more interesting. However, for being a children's book it is quite wordy and the vocabulary and language may be a bit advanced for young readers. The pictures are previous depictions and paintings of Franklin, cities, and other people and may seem dull to young readers as well. That being said, it is a great book for the intermediate and even advanced reader, as I enjoyed reading it very much and learned many new things. Overall it was a great read and would be a valuable addition to a classroom library.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freedman is renowned for his photo-laden tomes and does not disappoint in this rousing biography of Founding Father, Ben Franklin. Numerous paintings, engravings, newspapers and almanac pages illustrate this chronological account of Franklin’s life, beginning in 1723 with his arrival in Philadelphia as a penniless runaway. Primary source quotes are seamlessly woven into animated text that describes Franklin’s determination to succeed, his keen political acumen and his avocations as scientist, printer, inventor, dissident and diplomat. The well-researched narrative has a good balance of prose and illustrations that will appeal to even reluctant readers. Back matter includes a timeline, source notes, bibliography, and index. This book is a must for school libraries and an excellent resource for social studies and ELAR standards.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a general introduction to Benjamin Franklin, his life, and accomplishments, this book is excellent. Freedman can always be relied upon for clear narration, well-chosen graphics, and plenty of white space so as not to overwhelm his readers. He is also good at infusing a little drama and style. We first meet Franklin as he arrives practically penniless on a Philadelphia wharf, a confident 17-year-old in search of a job. So begins the quite astonishing story of his life, though this is really less of a straight biography, since Freedman focuses on Franklin's deeds and tucks little life details in amongst these. Readers may think they know their Franklin, but there are some surprises here. He really was an interesting character and whether through luck, genius, or common sense, was responsible for an awful lot of "firsts." Great reading. 5th grade and up.

[McKenna Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story starts out with learning about Ben Franklin and his journey to America, from working as a printing apprentice to becoming an author due to his passion for writing. Freedman discusses Franklins family, published works such as Poor Richard’s Almanack to his discoveries about electricity and how he played a helping hand in America becoming free from the British in the revolution. The book ends with telling the story of Franklin’s help with writing the constitution, his acts to end slavery, and ultimately his death in 1790.

This is a book that I will use in future classrooms while we are learning about the founding of America, biographies, or how influential Benjamin Franklin was in our countries history. I think this book does a great job at condensing information while still giving a great depth of knowledge in regards to Ben's life.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book chronicles the life of Ben Franklin, including testimony, artistic renderings, newspaper clippings, and painted portraits. His early endeavors and later important scientific discoveries, as well as his role in the emerging independent government is detailed in crafty prose. The book is dense with information and is well suited for upper middle grade students, probably 6th – 8th grade, and possibly high school students. This text is very informative and would be great to use selected passages to highlight important parts of Ben’s life to illustrate an important point in a text on science or social studies/American History. Overall, the art is not very inspiring and the text was hard to trudge straight through.

[Jason Roop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freedman, R. (2013) Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker’s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty. New York: Holiday House.

Kirkus Star Review/Biography-informational

I’m sure there are many biographies about Benjamin Franklin, but this one was very interesting and well written for the age group. We all know the major achievement of Benjamin Franklin and this biography introduces all of them to young readers. This book uses many pictures, newspaper, and even a few almanac pages to enhance the life story of Mr. Franklin. A good book that could be integrated into a history lesson, or added to a classroom library. Not a must read, but good enough to take a look if your child is studying Ben Franklin.

[Kate Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Educational, entertaining (for those who enjoy history), and impressive. Ben Franklin was a man who wore many hats. His involvement in the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress, and the Constitution is enough to have brought him fame but he was also an inventor (doing a lot more than harnessing lightning with a kite), a printer, and a soap maker. His life is fascinating. This was one of the 2024 Jr. High Battle of the Books selections, and my students enjoyed it overall. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy history (particularly American history), those from or traveling to Philadelphia (know your people!), and/or people who enjoy biographies.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin is astonishing in his wit, his scientific and practical discoveries, his civic-minded contributions and the scope of his political influence and wisdom. Freedman captures all the charm and presents the multitudinous accomplishments of this remarkable individual. The text deserves the full five stars. While distinguished, the staid design of the book does a disservice to its' contents. Too many of us assume the Founding Fathers to be dull, when nothing could be further from the case. While I wouldn’t have wanted neon splashes or cartoon caricatures I wish the design had reflected some portion of Franklin’s innovative, adventurous, humorous and large-minded nature.