The Greatest American: Benjamin Franklin, The World's Most Versatile Genius

by Mark Skousen

"I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to have been born two or three centuries hence." -- Ben Franklin
Was Benjamin Franklin an indispensable public servant or a cunning chameleon? A hard-headed entrepreneur or an opportunistic privateer? A devoted family man or a notorious womanizer? A scientist and inventor or a hoaxer and self promoter? A believer or a heretic? The first civilized American or the most dangerous man in America?

Read this book, and you decide!

In The Greatest American, Dr. Mark Skousen--"America's Economist" and a direct descendant of the old man--reveals many new features and little-known facts about Ben Franklin, such as:
- The surprising benefits of inflation to pay for the American Revolution.
- How the War of Independence transformed him from a religious heretic to a believing theist.
- Why he hated party politics.
- How he changed his mind about slavery and became a devote abolitionist.
- The truth about his love affairs with women. Did he really abandon his wife Deborah, or did she abandon him?
- Why he never applied for any patents for his famous inventions.
- Why George Washington loved Franklin and John Adams despised him.
- Why he turned against his beloved son, William, and never forgave him.
- His preference for private welfare and charities rather than state-run social programs and welfare.

Benjamin Franklin was the oldest of the founding fathers -- he was indeed a whole generation ahead of George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson -- and yet he was the most forward-looking of the group and the most modern of the founders. The Greatest American shows just how much of an impact Benjamin Franklin had on American politics and daily life.

Genres: History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2025

About the author

I am a professional economist, financial adviser, university professor, author and producer of FreedomFest, the largest annual gathering of free minds about liberty and freedom in the world. I edit the award-winning financial newsletter, Forecasts & Strategies (www.markskousen.com), and have authored many books on economics, finance, investing and Benjamin Franklin. I have been married to my wife Jo Ann for 35 years, and we have 5 children and 3 terrific grandsons.

Reviews

[London Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.6/5)
A good account of Ben Franklin’s life, though at times some stories and quotes were repeated.

[Fred Leland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not seen was a lot on Ben Franklin since middle school. Middle school was a long time ago. When I first saw this book it caught my interest. It was well researched and written. A lot of facts I did not know written in n a lot au that makes you interested and entertained. I like the fact that it discusses Ben Franklins virtues and his vises. An ordinary man who did extraordinary things. A Founding Father who learned and solved problems, his own and most obviously a Country. Great leader and great read.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book taught me a lot that I didn’t know about Ben Franklin but was a bit repetitive. It has inspired me enough to read Ben Franklin’s autobiography one day.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. A lot more about financial matters than I expected. Also stories or phases were repeated frequently