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The Wit & Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin
A treasury of over 900 quotations spoken by the first "American" as well as numerous entertaining anecdotes about his adventures and misadventures, making it the fourth in the WIT & WISDOM series from RHVP. Covering everything from Sage Sayings to Franklin Fables, it even incudes a time line of Franklin's life and the world around him.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1995
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61 people want to read
About the author
James C. Humes
49 books28 followersJames C. Humes was Ronald Reagan's speechwriter. He also wrote speeches for George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon and Dwight Eisenhower. He has served as a communications advisor to major U.S. corporations, including IBM and DuPont. He is the author of twenty-three other books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 26, 2018
Excellent. I recommend this book for every human being. I preferred the Biography of Benjamin Franklin, however, reading Benjamin Franklin's personal "proverbs" (insights) was interesting.
November 20, 2015
This book by James C. Humes compiles the many sayings and philosophical figurings of Benjamin Franklin. From his opinions on certain issues of the time to his opinion on other famous people, he uses wit and cleverness to express his beliefs.
I knew a little about Benjamin Franklin before I read this book, but he was such a multifaceted person that there was much more for me to learn. He was a printer, writer, librarian, politician, inventor, scientist, postmaster, philosopher, and an avant-garde thinker, to mention a few. Although when he was a child he only received 2 years of schooling, he was able to receive a doctorate later in life. He was known as "The Great Persuader", and among his accomplishments were convincing Pennsylvania, a major swing state, to declare independence and convincing France to come to the aid of America during the revolution.
The one thing that bugged me about this book was that I found a few grammatical errors and many of the facts were repeated, only in different words. All in all though, I found it diverting and very educational.
I knew a little about Benjamin Franklin before I read this book, but he was such a multifaceted person that there was much more for me to learn. He was a printer, writer, librarian, politician, inventor, scientist, postmaster, philosopher, and an avant-garde thinker, to mention a few. Although when he was a child he only received 2 years of schooling, he was able to receive a doctorate later in life. He was known as "The Great Persuader", and among his accomplishments were convincing Pennsylvania, a major swing state, to declare independence and convincing France to come to the aid of America during the revolution.
The one thing that bugged me about this book was that I found a few grammatical errors and many of the facts were repeated, only in different words. All in all though, I found it diverting and very educational.
May 27, 2016
This book by James C. Humes compiles the many sayings and philosophical figurings of Benjamin Franklin. From his opinions on certain issues of the time to his opinion on other famous people, he uses wit and cleverness to express his beliefs.
I knew a little about Benjamin Franklin before I read this book, but he was such a multifaceted person that there was much more for me to learn. He was a printer, writer, librarian, politician, inventor, scientist, postmaster, philosopher, and an avant-garde thinker, to mention a few. Although when he was a child he only received 2 years of schooling, he was able to receive a doctorate later in life. He was known as "The Great Persuader", and among his accomplishments were convincing Pennsylvania, a major swing state, to declare independence and convincing France to come to the aid of America during the revolution.
The one thing that bugged me about this book was that I found a few grammatical errors and many of the facts were repeated, only in different words. All in all though, I found it diverting and very educational.
I knew a little about Benjamin Franklin before I read this book, but he was such a multifaceted person that there was much more for me to learn. He was a printer, writer, librarian, politician, inventor, scientist, postmaster, philosopher, and an avant-garde thinker, to mention a few. Although when he was a child he only received 2 years of schooling, he was able to receive a doctorate later in life. He was known as "The Great Persuader", and among his accomplishments were convincing Pennsylvania, a major swing state, to declare independence and convincing France to come to the aid of America during the revolution.
The one thing that bugged me about this book was that I found a few grammatical errors and many of the facts were repeated, only in different words. All in all though, I found it diverting and very educational.
December 19, 2011
A collection of sayings and anecdotes by and about Franklin. This “book” is worthless on every level --- it’s neither informative nor entertaining; indeed, it’s admirable as an achievement only in that it’s so shoddily put together.
The facts and quotes lack any attribution. The quotes are listed by categories seemingly selected at random, often overlapping, such as “Preparedness” and “Planning,” “Pomposity” and “Pretentiousness,” or “Cash” and “Money.” Other categories contain quotes seemingly unrelated to them. The other sections are just as bad: “Renaissance Roles” offers the same stuff as “Franklin Firsts” and “Inventions,” while “Franklin Fables” (a rubric meaning precisely nothing) is the same as “Anecdotes” (this last category is noted to contain some apocryphal stories, rendering it useless as historical fact). It’s a repetitive, sloppy rush job, and couldn’t possibly inspire anyone to admire Franklin’s genius.
The facts and quotes lack any attribution. The quotes are listed by categories seemingly selected at random, often overlapping, such as “Preparedness” and “Planning,” “Pomposity” and “Pretentiousness,” or “Cash” and “Money.” Other categories contain quotes seemingly unrelated to them. The other sections are just as bad: “Renaissance Roles” offers the same stuff as “Franklin Firsts” and “Inventions,” while “Franklin Fables” (a rubric meaning precisely nothing) is the same as “Anecdotes” (this last category is noted to contain some apocryphal stories, rendering it useless as historical fact). It’s a repetitive, sloppy rush job, and couldn’t possibly inspire anyone to admire Franklin’s genius.
December 10, 2008
I luv all things Ben, and so I refer to this little gem from time to time. A fabulous collection, really.
(This is actually the mister's book; I purchased it for him for Christmas 2003 - he's another Franklin fan, obviously. But, really, who isn't?)
(This is actually the mister's book; I purchased it for him for Christmas 2003 - he's another Franklin fan, obviously. But, really, who isn't?)
January 30, 2011
This was a gift from the Franklin Institute. I am not exactly certain why, but it may have been for serving as a judge for the science web site conference in D.C.
All of Ben's stuff is here. The thing is, in this day and age of the Internet, a book of quotations seems overkill.
All of Ben's stuff is here. The thing is, in this day and age of the Internet, a book of quotations seems overkill.
December 13, 2016
Great short read that can change your outlook and how to live life. My only wish is if each point was deeper. Would definitely re-read to see where I need to improve on. Perfect book to reflect on about yourself.
April 17, 2012
Very quick read. Interesting.
January 6, 2013
One of my favorite little books; nothing in depth, just bits and pieces of Franklin's humor.
May 17, 2016
I got tired of it fairly quickly, flipped to the end.
Franklin was an incredible genius, and did a LOT for humanity and the USA, as we know it.
Franklin was an incredible genius, and did a LOT for humanity and the USA, as we know it.
July 22, 2016
collection of quotes
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews