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Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father
For more than one-fifth of his life, Benjamin Franklin lived in London. He dined with prime ministers, members of parliament, even kings, as well as with Britain’s most esteemed intellectuals—including David Hume, Joseph Priestley, and Erasmus Darwin—and with more notorious individuals, such as Francis Dashwood and James Boswell. Having spent eighteen formative months in England as a young man, Franklin returned in 1757 as a colonial representative during the Seven Years’ War, and left abruptly just prior to the outbreak of America’s War of Independence, barely escaping his impending arrest.
In this fascinating history, George Goodwin gives a colorful account of Franklin’s British years. The author offers a rich and revealing portrait of one of the most remarkable figures in U.S. history, effectively disputing the commonly held perception of Franklin as an outsider in British politics. It is an enthralling study of an American patriot who was a fiercely loyal British citizen for most of his life—until forces he had sought and failed to control finally made him a reluctant revolutionary at the age of sixty-nine.
In this fascinating history, George Goodwin gives a colorful account of Franklin’s British years. The author offers a rich and revealing portrait of one of the most remarkable figures in U.S. history, effectively disputing the commonly held perception of Franklin as an outsider in British politics. It is an enthralling study of an American patriot who was a fiercely loyal British citizen for most of his life—until forces he had sought and failed to control finally made him a reluctant revolutionary at the age of sixty-nine.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published February 29, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 28, 2016
4.5★
I’ve been a ‘fan’ of Ben Franklin since I was a girl and developed a fondness for the sayings from Poor Richard's Almanack. And like most American kids, I grew up with a picture of Franklin holding a kitestring in a lightning storm to show how he discovered electricity.
A talented, intelligent charmer, Franklin developed from a young printer’s apprentice to a scientist of international renown and one of the Founding Fathers of the fledgling United States of America.
I did not read this entire book*, but I read enough to believe there is nothing lacking in the quality of the research or the erudition of the author. There are quotes upon quotes and footnotes throughout. The bibliography has pre-eminent primary sources, other primary sources, secondary sources, and extensive footnotes. This book covers far more than Franklin’s life in London.
It was interesting to me that scientists were then called Natural Philosophers, which described what they were doing—figuring out the laws of nature, I guess. Franklin was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society and was a famous scientist, who after his death, was compared with Leonardo da Vinci.
But today, he’s known more for his popular memoirs. Goodwin quotes author Joyce Chaplin, who wrote, “It is as if Albert Einstein were now remembered for the charming stories of his childhood and youth, without any clear memory of what he had done to become so famous in the first place.”
The aphorisms from Poor Richard are still often quoted, e.g., “Early to Bed and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy and wise” and “There are no Gains without Pains.” Who knew that was Ben Franklin’s?
This is full of anecdotes, stories, and reports. There would not be a Benjamin Franklin stone left unturned anywhere, I would imagine. I’m no expert, but I think the quality of the information is first-rate.
* What I found difficult (and why I didn’t read it all) is the moving back and forth between ages, times, and places. Chapters were often divided by years (e.g., 1724-1726), but within the chapters were references to what he did years before or years after with the same person, or what he said about the experience in his memoir in later years.
If this were a conversation, not a book, it would be like listening to someone who knows his subject so well that he interrupts himself to say “that reminds me . . . when Ben visited this person in London in his youth, he was treated poorly” and then goes on to describe that earlier visit. Then he goes back to the current story. That’s the reason I gave only 4.5 stars to what is 5-star research.
I am not a Franklin scholar, so I wasn’t interested enough to concentrate and remember all these different circumstances, but anyone keen to know more about the man and what made him tick should just love this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy, and I apologise for not reading it all. Franklin aficionados certainly will.
I’ve been a ‘fan’ of Ben Franklin since I was a girl and developed a fondness for the sayings from Poor Richard's Almanack. And like most American kids, I grew up with a picture of Franklin holding a kitestring in a lightning storm to show how he discovered electricity.
A talented, intelligent charmer, Franklin developed from a young printer’s apprentice to a scientist of international renown and one of the Founding Fathers of the fledgling United States of America.
I did not read this entire book*, but I read enough to believe there is nothing lacking in the quality of the research or the erudition of the author. There are quotes upon quotes and footnotes throughout. The bibliography has pre-eminent primary sources, other primary sources, secondary sources, and extensive footnotes. This book covers far more than Franklin’s life in London.
It was interesting to me that scientists were then called Natural Philosophers, which described what they were doing—figuring out the laws of nature, I guess. Franklin was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society and was a famous scientist, who after his death, was compared with Leonardo da Vinci.
But today, he’s known more for his popular memoirs. Goodwin quotes author Joyce Chaplin, who wrote, “It is as if Albert Einstein were now remembered for the charming stories of his childhood and youth, without any clear memory of what he had done to become so famous in the first place.”
The aphorisms from Poor Richard are still often quoted, e.g., “Early to Bed and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy and wise” and “There are no Gains without Pains.” Who knew that was Ben Franklin’s?
This is full of anecdotes, stories, and reports. There would not be a Benjamin Franklin stone left unturned anywhere, I would imagine. I’m no expert, but I think the quality of the information is first-rate.
* What I found difficult (and why I didn’t read it all) is the moving back and forth between ages, times, and places. Chapters were often divided by years (e.g., 1724-1726), but within the chapters were references to what he did years before or years after with the same person, or what he said about the experience in his memoir in later years.
If this were a conversation, not a book, it would be like listening to someone who knows his subject so well that he interrupts himself to say “that reminds me . . . when Ben visited this person in London in his youth, he was treated poorly” and then goes on to describe that earlier visit. Then he goes back to the current story. That’s the reason I gave only 4.5 stars to what is 5-star research.
I am not a Franklin scholar, so I wasn’t interested enough to concentrate and remember all these different circumstances, but anyone keen to know more about the man and what made him tick should just love this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy, and I apologise for not reading it all. Franklin aficionados certainly will.
February 19, 2016
BOTW
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b070cnxxDescription: In the middle of the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin spent almost two decades in London - at exactly the same time as Mozart, Casanova and Handel. This is an enthralling biography - not only of the man, but of the city when it was a hub of Enlightenment activity.
For the great majority of his long life, Benjamin Franklin was a loyal British royalist. In 1757, having made his fortune in Philadelphia and established his fame as a renowned experimental scientist, he crossed the Atlantic to live as a gentleman in the heaving metropolis of London.
From his house in Craven Street, he mixed with both the brilliant and the powerful - in London coffee house clubs, at the Royal Society, and on his summer travels around the British Isles and continental Europe. He counted David Hume, Matthew Boulton, Joseph Priestley, Edmund Burke and Erasmus Darwin among his friends - and, as an American colonial representative, he had access to successive Prime Ministers and even the King.
The early 1760s saw Britain's elevation to global superpower status with victory in the Seven Years War and the succession of the young, active George III. This brought a sharp new edge to political competition in London and redefined the relationship between Britain and its colonies. They would profoundly affect Franklin himself, eventually placing him in opposition with his ambitious son William. Though Franklin sought to prevent the America's break with Great Britain, his own actions would finally help cause that very event.
Episode 1:In November 1724, aged 18, Franklin is sent to London for the first time to buy printing equipment for a Philadelphia newspaper.
Episode 2:After spending over 30 years in America, Franklin returns to London - not as a humble printer, but as a leading politician.
Episode 3:Franklin's achievements in the field of physics, and specifically that of electricity, have won him an international reputation.
Episode 4:Franklin's opponents in the Pennsylvania Assembly are preparing poisonous attacks to greet him on his return to America.
Episode 5:It is 1775, and Franklin is no longer of any political use in London. He becomes Ambassador to France in the days before the Revolution.
February 19, 2016
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
In the middle of the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin spent almost two decades in London - at exactly the same time as Mozart, Casanova and Handel. This is an enthralling biography - not only of the man, but of the city when it was a hub of Enlightenment activity.
For the great majority of his long life, Benjamin Franklin was a loyal British royalist. In 1757, having made his fortune in Philadelphia and established his fame as a renowned experimental scientist, he crossed the Atlantic to live as a gentleman in the heaving metropolis of London.
From his house in Craven Street, he mixed with both the brilliant and the powerful - in London coffee house clubs, at the Royal Society, and on his summer travels around the British Isles and continental Europe. He counted David Hume, Matthew Boulton, Joseph Priestley, Edmund Burke and Erasmus Darwin among his friends - and, as an American colonial representative, he had access to successive Prime Ministers and even the King.
The early 1760s saw Britain's elevation to global superpower status with victory in the Seven Years War and the succession of the young, active George III. This brought a sharp new edge to political competition in London and redefined the relationship between Britain and its colonies. They would profoundly affect Franklin himself, eventually placing him in opposition with his ambitious son William.
Though Franklin sought to prevent the America's break with Great Britain, his own actions would finally help cause that very event.
Episode 1:
In November 1724, aged 18, Franklin is sent to London for the first time to buy printing equipment for a Philadelphia newspaper.
Episode 2:
After spending over 30 years in America, Franklin returns to London - not as a humble printer, but as a leading politician.
Episode 3:
Franklin's achievements in the field of physics, and specifically that of electricity, have won him an international reputation.
Episode 4:
Franklin's opponents in the Pennsylvania Assembly are preparing poisonous attacks to greet him on his return to America.
Episode 5:
It is 1775, and Franklin is no longer of any political use in London. He becomes Ambassador to France in the days before the Revolution.
Written by George Goodwin
Abridged by Barry Johnston
Read by Nickolas Grace
Produced by David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b070cnxx
In the middle of the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin spent almost two decades in London - at exactly the same time as Mozart, Casanova and Handel. This is an enthralling biography - not only of the man, but of the city when it was a hub of Enlightenment activity.
For the great majority of his long life, Benjamin Franklin was a loyal British royalist. In 1757, having made his fortune in Philadelphia and established his fame as a renowned experimental scientist, he crossed the Atlantic to live as a gentleman in the heaving metropolis of London.
From his house in Craven Street, he mixed with both the brilliant and the powerful - in London coffee house clubs, at the Royal Society, and on his summer travels around the British Isles and continental Europe. He counted David Hume, Matthew Boulton, Joseph Priestley, Edmund Burke and Erasmus Darwin among his friends - and, as an American colonial representative, he had access to successive Prime Ministers and even the King.
The early 1760s saw Britain's elevation to global superpower status with victory in the Seven Years War and the succession of the young, active George III. This brought a sharp new edge to political competition in London and redefined the relationship between Britain and its colonies. They would profoundly affect Franklin himself, eventually placing him in opposition with his ambitious son William.
Though Franklin sought to prevent the America's break with Great Britain, his own actions would finally help cause that very event.
Episode 1:
In November 1724, aged 18, Franklin is sent to London for the first time to buy printing equipment for a Philadelphia newspaper.
Episode 2:
After spending over 30 years in America, Franklin returns to London - not as a humble printer, but as a leading politician.
Episode 3:
Franklin's achievements in the field of physics, and specifically that of electricity, have won him an international reputation.
Episode 4:
Franklin's opponents in the Pennsylvania Assembly are preparing poisonous attacks to greet him on his return to America.
Episode 5:
It is 1775, and Franklin is no longer of any political use in London. He becomes Ambassador to France in the days before the Revolution.
Written by George Goodwin
Abridged by Barry Johnston
Read by Nickolas Grace
Produced by David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b070cnxx
January 16, 2016
This book is certainly proof that not all history has to be boring. Benjamin Franklin is an interesting historical figure anyway, but the clear and concise writing and immaculate research of George Goodwin brought him to life in a whole new way.
The writing in this book flows easily, at times I almost forgot that I was reading a nonfiction book at all. I found myself enthralled with the man at the heart of the book and his many experiences. This would be a great book for a high school history class to read and would offer a wide array of discussion topics.
Easily the best book on Franklin I have read.
Recommended.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley.
The writing in this book flows easily, at times I almost forgot that I was reading a nonfiction book at all. I found myself enthralled with the man at the heart of the book and his many experiences. This would be a great book for a high school history class to read and would offer a wide array of discussion topics.
Easily the best book on Franklin I have read.
Recommended.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley.
November 1, 2016
Benjamin Franklin spent a great deal of time in London as a statesman for the Colonies. He also served many roles at home including those as scientist, printer and philosopher.
He worked tirelessly for the freedom of the colonies, while retaining a connection to England. He felt that the two should maintain an inseparable bond.
His life in London included his time while young then diplomat then agent. In the last roles he represented the colonies in Parliament and at Court. Through discords, Franklin was able to keep his head.
In 1775, he realized his dream of an agreement was not to be. This lead to his ending relationships with friends and his son.
Anyone who is interested in American History, Franklin or of this time period would appreciate this book, as I did.
I was given this book by NetGalley and Yale University in exchange for my honest review.
He worked tirelessly for the freedom of the colonies, while retaining a connection to England. He felt that the two should maintain an inseparable bond.
His life in London included his time while young then diplomat then agent. In the last roles he represented the colonies in Parliament and at Court. Through discords, Franklin was able to keep his head.
In 1775, he realized his dream of an agreement was not to be. This lead to his ending relationships with friends and his son.
Anyone who is interested in American History, Franklin or of this time period would appreciate this book, as I did.
I was given this book by NetGalley and Yale University in exchange for my honest review.
February 16, 2016
There is no doubt that Benjamin Franklin was an interesting character. Printer, scientist, philosopher and statesman, his was a varied and important life. Even today many of his axioms are still valid and used commonly.
Americans know that he played a vital role in their independence but many may not know how hard he worked and how much he strived to maintain the connection to England. He felt that the colonies and the mother land should be inseparable but not unfairly weighted.
This book looks at his life in London, both as a young man, and then as a diplomat and agent for the various colonies who asked him to represent their interests in Parliament and at Court.
There were hotheads on both sides who pushed and provoked. Dr. Franklin was not one. He tried, unsuccessfully, to make London understand that if they chose to treat the colonies as a naughty child, they would get naughty behavior in return.
It was not until his final return from England in 1775 that he finally gave up on the dream of agreement. It was to lead to to a final break with many friends and his son, William.
This book should be in the bookstore of the house on Craven Street where Franklin lived many years. Anyone who is a fan of the man should make a pilgrimage there to the living museum in his old home. The museum is fascinating, as is this book.
I would recommend it highly to students of the Revolution, Franklin or the times of George III. Hindsight is 20/20 and it boggles the mind to think how different history might have been had he prevailed.
Americans know that he played a vital role in their independence but many may not know how hard he worked and how much he strived to maintain the connection to England. He felt that the colonies and the mother land should be inseparable but not unfairly weighted.
This book looks at his life in London, both as a young man, and then as a diplomat and agent for the various colonies who asked him to represent their interests in Parliament and at Court.
There were hotheads on both sides who pushed and provoked. Dr. Franklin was not one. He tried, unsuccessfully, to make London understand that if they chose to treat the colonies as a naughty child, they would get naughty behavior in return.
It was not until his final return from England in 1775 that he finally gave up on the dream of agreement. It was to lead to to a final break with many friends and his son, William.
This book should be in the bookstore of the house on Craven Street where Franklin lived many years. Anyone who is a fan of the man should make a pilgrimage there to the living museum in his old home. The museum is fascinating, as is this book.
I would recommend it highly to students of the Revolution, Franklin or the times of George III. Hindsight is 20/20 and it boggles the mind to think how different history might have been had he prevailed.
June 25, 2020
Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America’s Founding Father by George Goodwin is good, solid, history, as a book should be. In this, Goodwin offers fresh insights into Franklin’s complex character. He also manages to sort out and make plain the dizzying array of characters involved in inching through the Greek tragedy that was London’s stumbling into the American Revolution. The content truly is as described in the title. I had expected the text to mainly cover Franklin’s official duties & interactions with the government of King George III. I was pleasantly surprised that it covers Franklin the socialite, scientist, family man, pamphleteer, businessman, and gadfly as well as the colonial agent.
This book is one that you won’t want to judge by its cover. The book jacket cover image is derived from a portrait of Franklin from 1767 and has the appearance of such graphics that accompany the trite, watered-down, worthless, contract-written biographies that are pitched to school children. This volume, from Yale University Press merits scholarly attention. I mention this because I almost didn’t buy the book because of the jacket image. It’s serious history.
This book is one that you won’t want to judge by its cover. The book jacket cover image is derived from a portrait of Franklin from 1767 and has the appearance of such graphics that accompany the trite, watered-down, worthless, contract-written biographies that are pitched to school children. This volume, from Yale University Press merits scholarly attention. I mention this because I almost didn’t buy the book because of the jacket image. It’s serious history.
February 11, 2016
"Said simply is said best" should have been included in Poor Richard's Almanac. But if it had been, my guess would be that Mr. Goodwin would have ignored that advice. While containing copious amounts of information, at times this book was very difficult to read. Compound sentences, while grammatically correct, were long and windy. Several times I had to reread a sentence, or even read out loud, to follow its treacherous path. Perhaps Mr. Goodwin was carried away with the flowery speech prevalent during Dr. Franklin's life? Additionally, though it was generally in chronological order, the book did bounce around a bit, both in time and subject matter. But at the root of the book was the life of Benjamin Franklin and I was fascinated to find out more about his extended time in London. Reading this book will take some energy and undistracted concentration but is worth it if you are interested in Benjamin Franklin.
I received a preview copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an objective review.
I received a preview copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an objective review.
April 20, 2020
Interesting narrative about Franklin's sojourns in London and his interaction politically, socially and scientifically. It also shed a little light for me on his relationships with his wife Deborah, whom he left behind in Philadelphia to mange his affairs, and his son William with whom he became estranged. They parted over their views on the relationship between the colonies and the British government's approach to dealing with them economically and politically. William later served as the Loyalist governor of New Jersey.
Of note was the description of his domestic situation and residence on Craven Street (which I understand you can visit today) with Mrs. Stevenson and her family. The description of 18th Century London and its markets, clubs, landmarks, crime and such is quite good. It also goes into some of his quirks like "air baths", lightning rods and his travels to the estates of the high and mighty.
Recommended reading.
Of note was the description of his domestic situation and residence on Craven Street (which I understand you can visit today) with Mrs. Stevenson and her family. The description of 18th Century London and its markets, clubs, landmarks, crime and such is quite good. It also goes into some of his quirks like "air baths", lightning rods and his travels to the estates of the high and mighty.
Recommended reading.
February 16, 2016
Benjamin Franklin in London was an interesting and instructive read. Although I knew somewhat of Benjamin's time in England, having recently visited the Benjamin Franklin House, it was fascinating to read in greater detail of his involvement, which ran deeper than I'd realised. The book came across as well-researched, and for the most part it was well-presented; although, here and there I found odd sections a little stodgy and only speed-read them. This book would be a great addition to the library of anyone interested in early American/US Revolutionary history and/or the Georgian period, as well as for those researching the Founding Fathers.
I received this eBook as a free review copy via NetGalley.
I received this eBook as a free review copy via NetGalley.
July 14, 2016
This contained a lot of detail of Franklin's 20 odd years in London representing Colonial Assembly interests to the British government. This is historical detail that I had not been aware of, and is frankly (no pun intended) not terribly exciting. Ben was largely unsuccessful, fortunately, which is why we are not part of the U.K. today.
Strictly recommended for American history buffs.
Strictly recommended for American history buffs.
September 15, 2020
For Franklin nuts like me, this is an excellent read diving into his many significant years in London. For all others, you can probably skip it in favor of many other fine biographies (Morgan, Wood). I learned more new things about Franklin in Young Benjamin Franklin by Nick Bunter.
June 22, 2017
George Goodwin works hard among the archives and academic literature to put together this account of Benjamin Franklin's experiences in eighteenth-century London.
The book at times achieves a degree of drama in describing Franklin's political engagements, especially during the last couple of years as the American Crisis reaches the Boston Tea Party and the Coercion Acts that followed. However, for much of it the mundane reality of being a colonial agent in London challenges Goodwin to make an interesting narrative.
Goodwin uses a different strategy to cover the periods when Franklin's London life lacked the high drama of the breakdown in relations between the colonists and the Mother Country. He turns to descriptions of what life for a moderately wealthy person in London might have been like, covering dining arrangements, club life and the activities of members of a learned society. He also investigates Franklin's relationships with his family both up close (son William lived for a time in London, too) and more distant (Franklin hardly saw his wife for a considerable portion of her life).
This structure didn't quite succeed for me, as it was hard to maintain a chronology in the middle portion of the book. I ended up compiling my own. Worse, I didn't really care for Franklin, who seemed quite a dodgy figure, always looking to dip his fingers into someone's purse, while Goodwin thinks very highly of him.
It is a book for those interested in the British Atlantic World before the War of Independence, and fans of Ben Franklin. Others might find little here of interest.
The book at times achieves a degree of drama in describing Franklin's political engagements, especially during the last couple of years as the American Crisis reaches the Boston Tea Party and the Coercion Acts that followed. However, for much of it the mundane reality of being a colonial agent in London challenges Goodwin to make an interesting narrative.
Goodwin uses a different strategy to cover the periods when Franklin's London life lacked the high drama of the breakdown in relations between the colonists and the Mother Country. He turns to descriptions of what life for a moderately wealthy person in London might have been like, covering dining arrangements, club life and the activities of members of a learned society. He also investigates Franklin's relationships with his family both up close (son William lived for a time in London, too) and more distant (Franklin hardly saw his wife for a considerable portion of her life).
This structure didn't quite succeed for me, as it was hard to maintain a chronology in the middle portion of the book. I ended up compiling my own. Worse, I didn't really care for Franklin, who seemed quite a dodgy figure, always looking to dip his fingers into someone's purse, while Goodwin thinks very highly of him.
It is a book for those interested in the British Atlantic World before the War of Independence, and fans of Ben Franklin. Others might find little here of interest.
February 10, 2024
An enjoyable read of historical events in the life of Benjamin Franklin. Sometimes while reading, I am astonished to realize how much time Franklin spent in England pre Revolutionary War. So many years he was away from “home” in a time of no telephones, telegraphs, TV, airplanes, cell phones, or internet. Communication was slow with many times messages from one to another may pass on the seas. It was also astonishing to realize Franklin and his wife spent so much time apart. The one other particularly sad thing was that Ben and his son William as history notes fell out never to be reconciled.
History Lovers and Studiers will find this a very interesting book to add to their library.
Enjoy!
History Lovers and Studiers will find this a very interesting book to add to their library.
Enjoy!
February 18, 2023
I would give this a 3.5.
Although packed with the most minute detail ( the author should be hugely commended for his research) this felt just a little too dry. At times it was an endless parade of names, facts and figures to the exclusion of all else.
Although the political scene of the 1750's and 1760's is interesting, I would have liked a bit more about Franklin the man, the father, the husband. Also, a bit more about what Franklin actually did in London outside of his political duties. I feel we barely skimmed the surface.
A fascinating man no doubt, in a fascinating city, at a fascinating time.
Not quite, though, the fascinating book this could have been.
Although packed with the most minute detail ( the author should be hugely commended for his research) this felt just a little too dry. At times it was an endless parade of names, facts and figures to the exclusion of all else.
Although the political scene of the 1750's and 1760's is interesting, I would have liked a bit more about Franklin the man, the father, the husband. Also, a bit more about what Franklin actually did in London outside of his political duties. I feel we barely skimmed the surface.
A fascinating man no doubt, in a fascinating city, at a fascinating time.
Not quite, though, the fascinating book this could have been.
March 11, 2022
I picked up this book at the Ben Franklin House on Craven St in London. I am glad I visited the historic house and read the book. Franklin’s lengthy stays in London were not entirely successful but they were certainly momentous on many levels - politically, diplomatically, scientifically and socially. He certainly mastered the art of lobbying and hobnobbing. This book gives the reader a unique glimpse into Franklin, London in the 18th century, and the frenzy of diplomatic activity surrounding the American colonies’ quest for independence.
September 12, 2023
Surprisingly intimate
This look at Franklin's life in Britain and his many links to influential men and women there — both friends and adversaries — is Big Picture comprehensive, yet at the same time touchingly intimate. The author is clearly fond of Franklin, but doesn't hesitate to include his (sometimes serious) flaws as necessary parts of a complete and truthful biography. Those flaws are explained as human fallibiliy in a great man and, for me, made that great man very relatable.
I learned much from this book and thoroughly enjoyed doing so.
This look at Franklin's life in Britain and his many links to influential men and women there — both friends and adversaries — is Big Picture comprehensive, yet at the same time touchingly intimate. The author is clearly fond of Franklin, but doesn't hesitate to include his (sometimes serious) flaws as necessary parts of a complete and truthful biography. Those flaws are explained as human fallibiliy in a great man and, for me, made that great man very relatable.
I learned much from this book and thoroughly enjoyed doing so.
December 21, 2024
I enjoy cultural history and this wasn’t too much of that. A lot of political documents etc. but more of this brilliant man and his career. Not a great husband or father by most accounts he was a good friend to many and hated by more than a few. Always surprised how often ocean liners were used among the wealthy. No big deal.
August 6, 2023
Not just a biography of Franklin’s many decades living in London (which is well done), but also a survey of the British writers who influenced his famous literary style, such as Henry Fielding and Joseph Addison, which I hadn’t seen done before.
January 28, 2021
I had to read about B.F.'s time in London since reading 'The King's Beast' by Eliot Pattison. Very interesting how the young Ben got his start and never stopped.
December 25, 2021
Scrapes a four. Would probably be a solid four if I had more knowledge of the American Revolution.
March 21, 2023
Excellent insight into the man who both invented like Einstein and crafted our democracy as a senior founding father.
April 23, 2018
What a textbook!
I seriously do not know how I go through this one. I got the impression from a low rating on Amazon titled 'Reads like a textbook.' The only thing missing from this one was an edition number.
Shelve this guy under, read in 'Actually, got cut the grass and watch it grow back for 400 seconds.' That was more exciting.
To the credit of the author, it's not Mr George's fault. The hardest part about writing about Founding Fathers is objective perspective. Goodwin achieves this right out the gate. citing Poor Richards Almanac as a chief source. Quotes like Franklin's 'Three can keep a secret if one of them are dead.' pepper the first 50 pages of the book.
The essentric quirkiness and charm of the encounters Franklin has with royal and not-so royal members of Parliament while living in a large town home are the entire length of the book. Granted Franklin's past as a father came back to haunt him, as well as the young man (whelp, as referred to in the whipping boy) that Franklin's wife looked after while in London.
I did find it fascinating that the harpsicord is the Franklinian invention heard at the beginning of all the Harry Potter movies. A true testament in and of itself, the glass chambers locked away inside a box sound both very scientific and esthetically preserved in velvet, just as this book gives about the subject; a legend primed for a revolution, even without any foreshadowing.
I seriously do not know how I go through this one. I got the impression from a low rating on Amazon titled 'Reads like a textbook.' The only thing missing from this one was an edition number.
Shelve this guy under, read in 'Actually, got cut the grass and watch it grow back for 400 seconds.' That was more exciting.
To the credit of the author, it's not Mr George's fault. The hardest part about writing about Founding Fathers is objective perspective. Goodwin achieves this right out the gate. citing Poor Richards Almanac as a chief source. Quotes like Franklin's 'Three can keep a secret if one of them are dead.' pepper the first 50 pages of the book.
The essentric quirkiness and charm of the encounters Franklin has with royal and not-so royal members of Parliament while living in a large town home are the entire length of the book. Granted Franklin's past as a father came back to haunt him, as well as the young man (whelp, as referred to in the whipping boy) that Franklin's wife looked after while in London.
I did find it fascinating that the harpsicord is the Franklinian invention heard at the beginning of all the Harry Potter movies. A true testament in and of itself, the glass chambers locked away inside a box sound both very scientific and esthetically preserved in velvet, just as this book gives about the subject; a legend primed for a revolution, even without any foreshadowing.
September 19, 2016
I couldn't read this book because it unfortunately just isn't very well written. It provides good examples of exactly why to avoid certain rhetorical no-no's, especially the use of passive voice.
January 29, 2016
I received a free Kindle version of this book from Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would write and post a review on Net Galley, Amazon, Goodreads and this blog. I also have it posted to my LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I have a deep interest in American History and in particular about how our nation came into existence and evolved to where we are today. This is the first book by George Goodwin that I have read.
The book itself is a biography of Benjamin Franklin with a detailed concentration on his years in London lobbying on behalf of the colonies in attempting to get Parliament and the rest of the political system to understand the viewpoint of their subjects in America. Goodwin did an excellent job in researching the subject and presenting it in an interesting and engaging read.
The book debunks some of the myths about Franklin while at the same time showing him to be quite human. When it came to his health in regards to food he was very much "Do as I say not as I do." It also details how his relationship with his son William slowly deteriorated over time until there was no contact over the last several years of his life.
Franklin was a master at stating his case, but unfortunately he too often ran into attitudes that would broach no compromise in the opinion that the colonies were mere subjects that were better off be governed by a body that was an ocean away.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in more details about Benjamin Franklin's years in England or an interest in the steps taken prior to the Revolutionary War breaking out.
I requested this book as I have a deep interest in American History and in particular about how our nation came into existence and evolved to where we are today. This is the first book by George Goodwin that I have read.
The book itself is a biography of Benjamin Franklin with a detailed concentration on his years in London lobbying on behalf of the colonies in attempting to get Parliament and the rest of the political system to understand the viewpoint of their subjects in America. Goodwin did an excellent job in researching the subject and presenting it in an interesting and engaging read.
The book debunks some of the myths about Franklin while at the same time showing him to be quite human. When it came to his health in regards to food he was very much "Do as I say not as I do." It also details how his relationship with his son William slowly deteriorated over time until there was no contact over the last several years of his life.
Franklin was a master at stating his case, but unfortunately he too often ran into attitudes that would broach no compromise in the opinion that the colonies were mere subjects that were better off be governed by a body that was an ocean away.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in more details about Benjamin Franklin's years in England or an interest in the steps taken prior to the Revolutionary War breaking out.
March 14, 2016
I tried. Hard. But... something about Benjamin Franklin is just... not that interesting to me at this time in my life. Which is not to say George Goodwin's book is not good and packed full of information. It is. It's just not the information that I'm going to sit and soak up right now.
Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father starts of really well. I was fascinated to read about the family squabbles he grew up with and how he bested everyone who said they were better than him. In his family, anyway. There are some kind of adorable anecdotes about how Franklin was cheated and scammed by various people as he grew richer and more powerful, despite being cheated and scammed, of course.
But once the biography moved on to mostly citing letters that rich, powerful Person A sent to rich, powerful Person B - one of them always being Franklin - my interest waned. For now, at least. And that's all I can say.
I received a copy of Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father through NetGalley and Yale University Press in exchange for an honest and original review. All thoughts are my own.
Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father starts of really well. I was fascinated to read about the family squabbles he grew up with and how he bested everyone who said they were better than him. In his family, anyway. There are some kind of adorable anecdotes about how Franklin was cheated and scammed by various people as he grew richer and more powerful, despite being cheated and scammed, of course.
But once the biography moved on to mostly citing letters that rich, powerful Person A sent to rich, powerful Person B - one of them always being Franklin - my interest waned. For now, at least. And that's all I can say.
I received a copy of Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father through NetGalley and Yale University Press in exchange for an honest and original review. All thoughts are my own.
November 22, 2015
As soon as I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it since I had recently visited his house on Craven Street in London! It was especially easy to picture the descriptions of him staying in Craven Street as well as his landlady and her family that he became so close to. I knew about this time period in Franklin's life but I didn't know much and this was an excellent book about this time in his life. I have always admired Franklin but I found out so much more about his life and I still admire him but also became more aware of his good and bad traits which certainly gives me a more well rounded idea of his life. He still comes across as a remarkable man with a thirst for knowledge and the ability to use what he learned to improve himself and his environment. So although he went to London as the agent for the colony of Pennsylvania and was quite involved in the politics of this period, he was thrilled to also be involved with the leading scientists of the day. This was an engrossing enjoyable book.
June 12, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley for providing this book in return for an honest review. First off I'm patting myself on the back for finally finishing this book - took 6.5 months with LOTS of books in between. And, mind you, I have always been fascinated by B Franklin and he's on my short list of Famous People I'd Like to Have Dinner With. If you are interested in everything Ben did and everyone he spoke to in his years in London, then this is the book for you. Me, not so much. It almost reads like a thesis. Recommended for putting one to sleep.
February 21, 2016
A good solid and well-researched account of the time Benjamin Franklin spent in London, where he lived for a good part of his life. Instructive and entertaining on the whole, there were parts – the more political ones – that I found a little slow and dull, but it was easy enough to skip those and concentrate on the more personal aspects of his life and adventures. Overall, an important, useful and (mostly) entertaining read.
January 31, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was such a fascinating look at Benjamin Franklin. The history of it was amazing and I found myself suck right in. I love that there are still books like this out there for the younger generations to read and find out the true history of one of our founding fathers.
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