The Harvard Classics - V. 1

by Charles William Eliot

Contents: Benjamin Franklin, His Autobiography; The Journal of John Woolman; Some Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and Maxims, Part I; More Fruits of Solitude, being the Second Part of Reflections and Maxims.

Genres: Biography, Classics, History, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Autobiography, Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Charles William Eliot was an American academic who was selected as Harvard's president in 1869. He transformed the provincial college into the preeminent American research university. Eliot served the longest term as president in the university's history.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin was a highly effective person. And almost certainly a deist — or atheist.

John Woolman was Quaker minister best known (these days, he is hardly known at all, so is that saying much?) for leading the Quaker’s away owning slaves. Because of his labors preaching against slavery at the Quaker Society meetings, the “Friends” became the first group to disavow slavery—right about the same time Whitefield was writing his driveling tract in support of slavery.

From a literary standpoint, Woolman has little to offer. There are some interesting descriptions of travel in the mid-1700s, which are interesting entirely for the nature of the events, not the prose. But if his book is boring, his life was profound. And this is, perhaps, precisely the lesson we are to learn from it: Changing the world is boring and it is often done by boring people.

William Penn's Fruits of Solitude is literary and pious throughout. I came away with a grab bag of fun quotes. My favorite: "Knowledge is the treasure but wisdom is the treasurer." Perfect.

Fair warning: He'd make a lousy security guard.

[Andria Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow paced but important reading. I learned a lot about Benjamin Franklin and though it took me a good month to get through it was still good reading. So glad I'm finally done with this first volume! 3.5 ⭐ rounded up

[Philip Athans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin MUCH more than I thought I would--especially the day to day stuff about trying to establish himself in the printing business and the Philadelphia social and political scene as a young man.
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I had to DNF the better part of the Journal of John Woodman, which is a Quaker religious tract.
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I ended up writing down for myself a bunch of little pearls of wisdom from "Fruits of Solitude" by William Penn, but will admit to skimming through the second batch of them. Again, some of the blindly religious tone pushed me away.

[WAIA · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the first volume of the Harvard Classics etches out the origins of the whole American ideal system. Which is at times strangely contradictory and confused with itself. But it does inform quite well. I especially like the first third of the book. Inhabited by The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. B. J. is a person I only knew little of outside of his electrical experiments. So to learn of his involvement in the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Books for the public good. And getting a look into his mind was wonderful. I felt like I could get a much better grasp of why this man has such a legendary status in American history. His industrious sensibilities free spirit and open mind is something people could strive for to this day. I think what hits it home is talk of "street cleaning" and how a system for that aught to be created. This kind of thinking about how capital is used for the betterment, rather than just "vague" investment is probably what makes him so loveable. Instead of vague money throwing a good plan.

I'm also glad that, Benjamin's section was so light on Quaker-related material. That would have soured the experience much more.

As you can tell, the latter 2/3rds of the book were absolutely exhausting. While both Woolman and Penn show the values of America. Woolman's reasoning regarding the abolition of slavery through the value of the equality of men is powerful and memorable. And that will surely stick with me.
Penn certainly has good maxims anyone could learn from, but also harmful verses that are incredibly strong and reek of religious dogma. Woolman suffers from it too. Woolman's erratic behavior towards the end of his death does not gain my sympathy. Penn and Woolman both end up showing how the caved-in perspective of religion and its limits. The arbitrariness of those values when you consider how they were handed down. The repression of free spirit in the children under the iron fist of god. Awful. Understandably, they thought like this, it does not make me like reading such stupidity. Point 555. is especially telling, and makes me less empathetic of hardline religious folk. The lack of awareness is sometimes shocking in these texts.

I continued reading because I felt it was only right to hear them out. I can't say it was a completely negative read given Benjamin's autobiography and the historical information the other two provide.

Last note: What I meant to say with "contradictory" is that distinct sense of conservativism that battles with its own industriousness. "Stay small and humble" yet "industrious for you and your people" This to me is contradictory. If you want to stay small and little people in the fields, how do you support an industry that might abuse you in the long run through the corruption you condemn? You want to contain the old values yet the excessive produce does not ring any bells?

Anyway I'm looking forward to the next volume. 4/5th will be rereads.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly excellent volume. It begins with Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, which provides a stimulating look into the life of one of America's most prominent founders. Despite the narrative's abrupt terminus in the 1750s, the reader is treated to the details of Franklin's success and philosophy through the vehicle of his witty prose. The second work is The Journal of John Woolman, a compendium of spiritual reflections and autobiographical detail from one of America's early abolitionists. While much of Woolman's counsel is commendable, I fear that his trenchant ascetism lapses into legalism on multiple occasions, and much of the work consists of the unnecessary (though interesting) accounts of his journeys throughout America and eventually England. It is in the final work that the volume reaches its qualitative zenith, as William Penn's Some Fruits of Solitude and the sequel More Fruits of Solitude combines, as the editor astutely observed, "the acute common sense of Franklin" and "the spiritual elevation of Woolman". The result is a veritable smorgasbord of quotable proverbs and maxims to which all people would do well to adhere. A personal favorite is #113 of the second volume, in which we read Penn's scathing indictment of a self-centered generation: "We expect more than belongs to us; take all that's given us though never meant us; and fall out with those that are not as full of us as we are of ourselves."

All in all, volume 1 is a solid start to the famed Five Foot Shelf of Books. The insights offered by all three authors may be read in a minute but ought to be pursued for a lifetime.

[Michael Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin"
Should be required reading in American History

This is the first of three books in The Harvard Classics volume 1. Although Benjamin Franklin is a familiar historical figure, most Americans' impression of Franklin is the elder statesman featured on the $100 bill. He is best known as an author for Poor Richard’s Almanac, as a scientist for his kite experiment, and as an inventor for the Franklin Stove. Franklin lived to be 79 years old and had numerous occupations and avocations: candle maker, printer, clerk, writer, editor, businessman, politician, scientist, and inventor.

Ben Franklin began writing his autobiography while living in England in 1771 (with a letter addressed to his son), continued in 1784-85, and the last effort in 1757. He briefly discusses his family lineage from the village Ecton in Northamphire dating back to 1555 jumping to his grandfather, Thomas Franklin, who died in 1702 “just four years to the day before [Ben] was born”. His father, his first wife, and their three children migrated to New England in 1682. Josiah had four more children and ten more by his second wife. Ben was born in Boston and the youngest son. His father was intelligent, sought out for his counsel, and highly respected by his fellow colonists. Both his parents lived into their 80’s.Young Ben was a vegetarian, adept swimmer, and industrious worker. He did not drink alcohol, slept only six hours a night, read whenever possible, and enjoyed debating. After a falling out with his brother, Ben left Boston for Philadelphia. His account of his travels in the Colonies, England, France, and elsewhere in Europe are entertaining and frank and should be read in its entirety. Unfortunately, his written autobiography only accounts up to 1757.

Ben Franklin was elected or appointed Clerk of the General Assembly, Assembly representative, Deputy Postmaster-General, Commission of the Peace, Common Council member, Commissioner to trade with the Indians, joint Postmaster-General, Pennsylvania Commissioner to Colonial Congress at Albany, Colonel in militia during French & Indian War, Colonial representative for Assembly in England, Associe Estranger of the French Academy, delegate to Second Continental Congress, committee to draft Declaration of Independence, Minister Plenipotentiary to France, President of Philadelphia, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He also founded or advocated forming multiple organizations such as the Junto club, Philadelphia Library, Union Fire Company of Philadelphia, Academy (now University of Pennsylvania), a colonial military company, a public hospital, the American Philosophical Society, and Philadelphia initiatives for a night watch and paved sidewalks.

Benjamin Franklin was a voracious reader and self-taught several foreign languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin. He attained wealth, influence, and notoriety in the New World and throughout Europe within his lifetime. He received accolades such as the Copely medal for discovery and honorary Royal Society membership as well as honorary degrees from Yale, Harvard, and Oxford. It’s fitting that Benjamin Franklin is the first book in the first volume of The Harvard Classics

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"The Journal of John Woolman"
Colonial abolitionist and authentic Christian

John Woolman was a Quaker from Mount Holly, New Jersey who lived from 1720 to 1772. In those fifty-one years, he was a successful merchant, writer, public speaker, and religious leader who traveled extensively throughout the British Colonies: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He was a contemplative and humble man who continuously examined his conscience as a follower of Jesus Christ. Although a devout Quaker, Woolman was surprisingly tolerant of “other sects and opinions” while maintaining adherence to the Quaker tenants. Although largely unknown today, he was influential in Colonial America on the eve of the American Revolution attending weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual meetings of Friends in many communities.

Woolman was sympathetic to the circumstances of Native Americans, African slaves, and the poor. He professed having “felt love in my heart towards the natives of this land… whose ancestors were formerly the owners and possessors” and admonished the evil practice where “white people often sell rum to Indians” to “derive them of reason” taking advantage of them trading skins and furs. Furthermore he lamented the systematic displacement by the English who “The natives, in some places, for trifling considerations, sold their [land] inheritance so favorably situated and in other places have been driven back by superior [military] force”. However, he did maintain that the Native lands were purchased and not stolen. A humble man, when talking to the natives he admitted “in my own eyes, I appeared inferior to many among the Indians”. During Pontiac’s War (1763-66), he “meditated on the manifold difficulties of these Indians who by the permission of the Six Nations, dwell in these parts” in lands adjacent to his own. The plight of the “natives as well as the negroes” weighed heavily on his mind and “love filled his heart towards all mankind” which vexed his Christian soul.

He was a vocal anti-slavery advocate who often questioned fellow slave-owner Friends in private and Quaker Congregations in public. For instance, in 1746 he wrote in his journal “I saw in those southern provinces so many vices and corruptions; increased by this [slave] trade and this [slave-owning] way of life, that it appeared to me as a dark gloominess hanging over the land…”. Woolman earned money writing legal documents for fellow Friends as he said “writing is a profitable employ”, however, he objected to writing wills that listed slaves as inherited property. He directly “told the man the [he] believed the practice of continuing slavery to this people was not right”, refused to accept money for services rendered, and “desired to be excused from going to write the will”.

His steadfast moral compass and outspoken objection to slavery in a non confrontational but firm manner resulted in changing people’s minds by appealing to their hearts. Wollman wisely noted that “deep-rooted costumes, though wrong, are not easily altered; but it is the duty of all to be firm in that which they certainly know is right for them”. For example, in 1757 he was staying with Friends in the southern provinces when he learned that his fellow Quaker’s entertainment was provided by enslaved people. Woolman wrote a note that evening addressed to his host explaining why he left, packed his belongings and returned home only stopping to pay the slaves directly for their day’s labor. Later he instituted a practice of paying his Friends host in private for entertainment rendered during his stay regardless of their apparent wealth.

While in England the last four months of his life, Woolman witnessed the high costs of food and lodging compared to the low wages of “laboring men in several counties towards London at tenpence per day… but in harvest and hay time wages are about a shilling per day”. This wage is approximately $9.44 and $11.33 respectively in today’s currency. Of the local population he noted that “Great numbers of poor people live chiefly on bread and water” with many illiterate children in England. Due to his objections to the maltreatment of stage-coach horses and post-boys, he did not send or receive letters in the mail. Likewise, he journeyed on foot because he did not want to harm the animal and heard stories of them being overworked.

John Woolman’s character was principled without being disagreeable. His agreeable and conscientious nature resulted in several Friends freeing their slaves and many more questioning toleration of an evil practice that is inconsistent with Quaker principles. He wrote that “liberty was the natural right of all men equally” and “liberty is their right” as fellow humans and God’s children. Similarly, his “plain way of living” credo drove his personal behavior to only “buy and sell things really useful” as a principled tradesman. His opposition to animal mistreatment informed him adopting a vegetarian diet as well as preferring walking instead of using horses for transport. As he aptly opined, “Conduct is more convincing than language”.

This is the second book in The Harvard Classics Volume 1 perfectly placed between the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (his contemporary) and William Penn’s Some Fruits of Solitude (a fellow Quaker). These books provide an intimate insight into the minds of Colonial Americans. John Woolman’s valiant efforts to live a virtuous life in an imperfect world is relevant to our own struggles in the modern world.

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"Fruits of Solitude"
More than Pennsylvania’s founder and famous Quaker

This is the third of three books selected by Charles Elliot for his series “The Harvard Classics” volume 1 (Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin & Journal of John Woolman). William Penn’s Fruits of Solitude is presented in two parts and was inspired by his life experiences. For those reading his book, the political circumstances surrounding his formative years is beneficial and worth a quick thumbnail description. Penn was the son of an esteemed English Admiral, emerged from a privileged family, and espoused a pious Christian faith. During the English Civil War (1642-1651), Penn’s family supported the Monarchy of Charles I. The Royalists lost to the Parliamentarian, however, his family retained their land and wealth due to the military service of Admiral Penn. When the monarchy was restored, King Charles II had Admiral Penn help rebuild the nation’s Royal Navy. In 1680, King Charles II granted lands in America to Penn for the service of the now-deceased Admiral Penn. It’s interesting to note that William Penn spent very little time in his colonies of East New Jersey and Pennsylvania (1682-1684 and 1699-1701). After suffering two debilitating strokes, Penn died in England in 1718.

William Penn was as prolific a writer as he was a controversial figure. Although William Penn attended Oxford, Penn was expelled from the institution for “nonconformity”.Later he served in the Royal Navy, traveled throughout Europe, and studied the law. It was not until 1667 that Penn became a Quaker and soon after was imprisoned in the infamous Tower of London for public opposition to the Church of England’s Christian orthodoxy. Penn was critical of all religious groups except Quakers which he believed was the only true Christian sect. He rejected the Church of England (Anglican), called Puritans “hypocrites and revelers in God”, and called the Catholic Church “the Whote of Babylon”. Penn’s aphorisms emerged from his passionate piety.

After a short preface, the first part “Some Fruits of Solitude in Reflections and Maxims” discussed topics such as ignorance, education, pride, discipline, avarice, justice, knowledge, respect, passion, balance, and patience. The second part “More Fruits of Solitude… Reflections and Maxims, Relating to the Conduct of Human Life” continues with pithy axioms regarding morality, praise, friendship, justice, wisdom, envy, ambition, jealousy, and vanity. To be fully appreciated, this book requires time to reflect upon each of Penn’s proverbs and not an exercise of speedreading. Some examples include:

“The Wise Man Governs himself by the Reason of his Case, and because what he does is Best: Best, in a Moral and Prudent, not a Sinister Sense.”

“For as Men in Battle are continually in the way of shot, so we, in this World, are ever within the Reach of Temptation.”

“He that won't hear can't Judge, and he that can't bear Contradiction, may, with all his Wit, miss the Mark.”

“They have a Right to censure, that have a Heart to help: The rest is Cruelty, not Justice.”

“Less Knowledge than Judgment will always have the advantage upon the Injudicious knowing Man.”

“To come but once into the World, and Trifle away our true Enjoyment of it, and of our selves in it, is lamentable indeed.”

"Time is what we want most, but what, alas! we use worst; and for which God will certainly most strictly reckon with us, when Time shall be no more."

Although written in 1682, modern readers should consider it open-mindedly as a 17th-century self-help book. Some may find the religious overtones disconcerting, however, the utility of Penn’s wisdom cannot be denied. He advocated conquering oneself, not the dominion of another's will. There is much to gain from examining the life experiences of historical figures. William Penn’s Fruits of Solitude combines Benjamin Franklin’s wit and John Woolman’s devoutness. In addition, it neatly concludes the first volume of The Harvard Classics - Veritas!

[Marcelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

O primeiro livro de Franklin é até interessante, mas com ritmo de leitura sempre cortado.
O segundo livro é interessante no começo, mas depois vira um relatório de entrada e saída de cidades. Com algumas partes muito chatas durante vários capítulos, porém com pequenas passagens mais interessantes.
O terceiro livro é o mais prazeroso de ler. Além disso, pode ser lido diariamente como um livro motivacional ou de reflexão.

[Joel Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of: Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, the Journal of John Woolman, and William Penn's Fruits of Solitude I & II.

I especially enjoyed learning about John Woolman and his advocacy for the abolition of slavery pre-1776; he died in 1772.

[Peter Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three needful bits of text for any educated person. Franklin's Autobiography is much lauded but seldom read. I found it strange, disingenuous at times and self-congratulatory but also quite odd. More is concealed than revealed, but interest there is throughout. It ends where my real interest in Franklin abroad and after the Treaty begins.

John Woolman's Journal is an under-rated and remarkable construct.: A memoir and a record of piety from a Quaker consumed by thought of his own impiety, but instructive of a mind set early toward the abolition of slavery, the rejection of "superfluities" in service to the plain life of the Quaker, etc.
Again, a must read, more compelling because much of Woolman's testament against pining after luxuries has been written out of the charter of American "greed is good" spurious ethics.

William Penn's Aphorisms are the most bizarre of the selections. Written 100 years before the others, they are more of the age of the Glorious Revolution than the age of Revolution and Enlightenment. As the founder of the "Proprietaries" that Franklin strove against throughout his Pennsylvania career, they also have the taste of the disingenuous. More striking, is how essentially humorous they are in intent. Ethical consideration is not paramount here: this sometime witty saws are often quite deliberately confusing: a searching after pithy sentiment where no sentiment resides.

[Shem Doupé · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have finished Vol 1 of the Harvard Classics.

Ben Franklin was a genuinely good person. I have a tremendous new found respect for him as an inventory, intellectual, and public servant.

John Woolman's Journal: Amazing how one man's moral convictions could spread so far and wide. He was consumed by his conviction against slavery and it's hard to know how long it would have continued had he not risked his discomfort to speak out to his Quaker Friends.

William Penn was clearly a very wise person. I particularly enjoyed all of the writing on his virtues.

[Ixby Wuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contents: Benjamin Franklin, His Autobiography; The Journal of John Woolman; Some Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and Maxims, Part I; More Fruits of Solitude, being the Second Part of Reflections and Maxims.

[Colin Messinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of Franklin’s was better than the second. Woolman had too much Jesus and divine Providence in every sentence. Penn’s fruits of solitude was alright I didn’t really read it though because it was no meditations

[Duarte Grilo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Franklin's Autobiography - 9/10
Woolman's Journal - 5.5/10
Penn's Fruits of Solitude - 5.2/10

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"'Fruits of Solitude,' here printed, is a mine of pithy comment upon human life, which combines with the acute common sense of Franklin the spiritual elevation of Woolman."

[Poiema · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't intend to read this book. It was something I ordered for my son to read when school starts again in the fall. But as I thumbed through it, I found every random thread I perused to be enthralling. I'm not sorry that I went back to the beginning and gave it the attention it deserved.

If I had to compose one quintessential description of Benjamin Franklin's life I would call him a "wisdom seeker". He could glean wisdom from old Quaker women, from books, from conversations,from drunkards, even from his enemies. He passed some of that wisdom on in his writings, but his greatest strength was that he was able to model it and live it.

If he had any fault, it was that he talked too much in his later years. But who could blame him? He was a virtual fountain of rich life experience ranging from swimming (did you know he was an athlete?), writing, business, politics, community service, diplomacy,science, journalism, and even military service.

There is nothing boring here. I loved his ideas about thrift, which are amazingly applicable to our time of economic turn down. It was almost a game for him to support himself on the least possible amount, without compromising quality of life. He writes:


"Thus I spent about eighteen months in London; most part of the time I work'd hard at my business, and spent but little upon myself except in seeing plays and in books."


B.F. could gladly subsist on plain food and simple lodging, but refused to starve his mind and soul by neglecting the living ideas found in books and the arts. His extensive reading made him a brilliant conversationalist so that one can say that providing himself with stimulating "mind food" was the equivalent of investing in himself.

His ideas on religion were disappointing to me; he rejected the divine inspiration of scripture but held to the tenets therein that he found worthy in his own estimation. As a Christian, I believe scripture should judge the thoughts of man and Franklin had it completely opposite~ he judged scripture with his intellect. But that is simply an evidence that he was a man of his times. The 19th century was the dawn of a new era where science would reign. Franklin, of course, could also be labeled a scientist as a result of his experiments on electricity.

I can't wait to discuss this book with my son. There are many, many life lessons here for a young man, yet he is not "preachy". Franklin does not simply catalogue his successes, but is also honest about his mistakes, which he calls "errata". He had the ability to learn from the mistakes of others, too, recognizing their flaws without a trace of malice.

This book has great historical value as it covers the years and events that led up to the Revolutionary War. Because he made so many trips to Britain during this time, one also picks up the perspective of the Tories in his writing.

Whether you are looking for a character study, a historical reading, or just an engaging story~~this book fits the criteria of all of these. I can't imagine why I was never led to this book in my younger years, but I am going to make sure all of my children read it.

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book (I only read the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin) should be required reading for all of today's youth. Ben Franklin is a truly self made man, and this book accounts for most of how he got there. I think anyone who comes from a home where success is not important should read this. I love how he decides to save money, and I really love his cautionary tales of all his promising young friends and their downfalls; I think that part is mind blowing. The language in this book can be quite boring and a little challenging to read at times, but when he is really getting into something I found it very exciting. To be fair... these parts do not happen as often as I would have liked. Despite that, the story itself is a great read for anyone who would like to be self made and not have things handed to them. Well done, Mr. Franklin. I was inspired to read this for two reasons. Firstly, while reading Homer's the Iliad and the Odyssey, Benjamin Franklin was often the person compared to the most by the group of readers I read with. I needed to know why. I'll need to think of why he was mentioned so often aside from him being clever and strong. I am sure in time, I could see more of a connection, but I haven't thought about that much since I only just finished reading the book 15 minutes ago. Secondly, I recently watched John Adams on HBO, and I was very interested in learning more about this clever old fella. So much about this story still rings true today. For example, I recently read When I grown up (Benjamin Franklin) from Scholastic with 2 of my kids aged 7 and 5, and we learned Mr. Franklin's son, Franky, died of smallpocs. He was 4, and I was able to tell my kids what vaccines are and why they are important. Being the fact that they are children, they do not like shots. However, learning that Ben Franklins son died from a disease they can not get because they are already vaccinated was very interesting to them. They agreed that the promise of not dying at age 4 from smallpocs is worth the pain of a shot. This was a huge parenting victory as my 5 year old needed boosters this past week. "Remember what happened to Benjamin Franklins son? This is no big deal compared to that." Also, this is important today because a few months ago there was an outbreak of measles in Disney where I was supposed to visit. On page 100, Franklin is quoted in regard to his son dying of smallpocs (bear with me for the length), "I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under it; my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen."

I am a Benjamin Franklin fan.

[Jimmacc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Franklin was a pretty interesting man. His autobiography talks about his love of reading and his various business endeavors. It stops after he gets to Europe. Talking about his award for discovering the nature of lightning.

John Woolman's autobiography is much more... personal? His travels through the eastern colonies and arguments against slavery are very intriguing. He is often not very clear about the results of his one-on one discussions with his fellow Friends.

William Penn's "fruits of solitude" was the quickest read and also very enlightening. His comments on women and marriage appear very modern. I never learned more than his founding of Pennsylvania, and to read here these terse quotes of simple living provide some detail of Avery interesting man.

Looking forward to the rest of the shelf.

[Jviere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Franklin 4
Woolman 2
Penn 3

Franklin delivered on his attempt to be widely accessible.

Woolman was tediously torturous: his journal was more like a travel itenirary, which I guess shows some impressive journeys for that time. But without any substantial commentary or deeper reflection on the understated moral wrongs of slavery in colonial America, I'm not sure what's revered in the journal's Introduction.

Penn really wanted to write an enchiridion and he did. There are some interesting commentaries on labor, among other hot button issues that continue from "modern" to post-modern, that may be of interest. But taken in the context of having finished both Franklin and Woolman, this Volume I became redundant.

[Jordan Monson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put Benjamin Franklin's autobiography down. The journal of Woolman was inspiring but a bit tedious. Penn's fruits of solitude were at times enlightening but really just a good mix of the proverbs from the Bible and the current wisdom at the time. I read half of them and moved on. It was keeping me from moving on to the second book in the Harvard classics, which is filled with reading I want to do. I'm normally not one to skim 10% of a book, but when the reading is keeping you from other great reading, like the second volume which has Plato and Aurelius, I think it's warranted.

I give Franklin's autobiography 5 stars, Woolman's 3.5, and Penn's 3.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Hard to read until you get into the old style of writing but very worth. He was an amazing man!! The copy I had had lots of foot notes so it made understanding who and what he was writing about a lot easier. I also listened to Benjamin Franklin an American Life by Walter Issacson. I'm glad I listened to this one as I was reading the autobiography. It gave a lot of extra info and was able to make conclusions that Franklin himself could not
Two highly recommended books. I'd like to meet Benjamin Franklin!!!!!!

[Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Benjamin Franklin. Thought John Woolman should have stayed home more with his family more, but I liked learning more about Friends. William Penn was a tough read, but better towards the end.

Lesson learned from all of this is one I think (hope!) I already know from my own reading.

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14

[Pastor Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Franklin's autobiography. Amazing to think of reading his own thoughts on matters large and small.

But as a Bible believing Christian, I was saddened as I read of his lack of faith in God's word beyond the idea of it having some good, moral content. Franklin clearly rejected the Gospel.

Otherwise, this is a classic and should be required reading for high school students as a supplement to the normal history curriculum. And is recommended reading to all of the lifelong learners out there.

[Jill]

I'm still working through this one. Slowly. The print and spacing are tiny - the edition is around 1912. Plus, every time I read this I start having dreams about being in league with the Founding Fathers working to thwart the British...and I'm tired of hiding behind barrels of salted fish, my heart beating as soldiers search the area for my friends.

[Kelley Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting to read both to get a bit of an idea about early America and to learn more about Benjamin Franklin. It was a little difficult to read since it was written in early American or British terms of speech so a bit unclear at times. It also didn't get into much of the conflict with Britain and what part he had to play in that which would have been interesting.

[George Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Franklins’ was a great read. He’s a a brilliant man in many different fields and the diary illustrates it. Woolman’s is a little less compelling, but the most interesting part is his preaching against slavery at a time when it was considered very progressive. Penn’s is full of banal platitudes. Overall a good read.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin was an amazing and inspiring man. He was an example of integrity and public virtue that I have yet to see matched. He accomplished so much in his life and this book only covered until 1757.

[David Redden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was a great read. So much folksy wisdom and good humor. The life of John Woolman provided some insight into early antislavery by this very devout and faithful Quaker. Very inspiring. The bit written by William Penn was not particularly compelling.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a set of the Harvard Classics when I was a teenager, and it currently resides at Waring School. One of the first volumes I read was the one labelled "Woolman, Franklin, Penn" and I read Ben Franklin's first.

[Bianca Butacu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only read the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. I had known some things about him before I started reading the book, but reading the book, I discovered what a great and intelligent person he was. If there was a single person like him in these days, the world would definitely be different.

[Pan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this wayyyyyyy more than I thought I would...the bio of Franklin is by far the high point. Funny, readable, and inspiring.