What do you think?
Rate this book
Ben Franklin: Inventing America
A classic biography of Benjamin Franklin for young readers in a new, illustrated edition.
Benjamin Franklin was a true American original -- an accomplished scientist, athlete, inventor, writer, statesman, diplomat, printer, and philosopher. This classic biography by eminent historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Fleming paints a lively portrait of Franklin, a self-made man blessed with talent and immense curiosity about the world around him. With charm, humor, and a keen understanding of human nature, Franklin guided the American colonies to independence and nationhood. His remarkable career will inspire readers of all ages.
Benjamin Franklin was a true American original -- an accomplished scientist, athlete, inventor, writer, statesman, diplomat, printer, and philosopher. This classic biography by eminent historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Fleming paints a lively portrait of Franklin, a self-made man blessed with talent and immense curiosity about the world around him. With charm, humor, and a keen understanding of human nature, Franklin guided the American colonies to independence and nationhood. His remarkable career will inspire readers of all ages.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
9 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Fleming
127 books148 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 4, 2012
I loved this book - Ben Franklin was such a genius! This is written in a very engaging way. The narrator is not great but is tolerable since the life of Franklin is riveting.
December 25, 2017
Title: Ben Franklin - Inventing America
Author: Thomas Flemming
Publisher: Quark Publishing
Date of Publishing: October 15, 2016
This book was reviewed for NetGalley and Quark Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
One of America's Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin wore many hats. Inventor, Scientist and Political Activist just to name a few. Thomas Flemming brings Franklin's life story to life. With his easy to read and understand words coupled with the illustrations that depict moment in the life of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Flemming capture reader's attention and bring the adventure and brilliance of the historical figure to life for you ne readers.
I gave "Ben Franklin - Inventing America" a 4.25 out of a total of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760352283/...
B&N Link:
Author: Thomas Flemming
Publisher: Quark Publishing
Date of Publishing: October 15, 2016
This book was reviewed for NetGalley and Quark Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
One of America's Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin wore many hats. Inventor, Scientist and Political Activist just to name a few. Thomas Flemming brings Franklin's life story to life. With his easy to read and understand words coupled with the illustrations that depict moment in the life of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Flemming capture reader's attention and bring the adventure and brilliance of the historical figure to life for you ne readers.
I gave "Ben Franklin - Inventing America" a 4.25 out of a total of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760352283/...
B&N Link:
January 26, 2021
4 Stars! This is a great read if you want to learn a lot about one of America’s most important forefathers, or revisit all the things you learned way back when in school. Franklin accomplished so much he makes me feel like a bum. Lol. Enjoy!
December 14, 2017
'Ben Franklin: Inventing America' by Thomas Fleming is a biography for young readers now with illustrations.
The book tells the story of Benjamin Franklin's life. Every chapter features a role he had in his life. Chapters are titled The Apprentice, Father, The Joker, and Extraordinary Diplomat among others. He was a very interesting man and his contributions to the birth of America are on full display, as are the conflicts he had with his son who sided with the British. At the end of the book, there is a cast of characters as well as a timeline.
Growing up, I loved to read history books like this. The Revolutionary War was my favorite subject. I would have loved to have run across this book then. It was originally published in 1973, but the writing feels as fresh as if it were just written.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Young Voyageur, Quarto Publishing Group, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The book tells the story of Benjamin Franklin's life. Every chapter features a role he had in his life. Chapters are titled The Apprentice, Father, The Joker, and Extraordinary Diplomat among others. He was a very interesting man and his contributions to the birth of America are on full display, as are the conflicts he had with his son who sided with the British. At the end of the book, there is a cast of characters as well as a timeline.
Growing up, I loved to read history books like this. The Revolutionary War was my favorite subject. I would have loved to have run across this book then. It was originally published in 1973, but the writing feels as fresh as if it were just written.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Young Voyageur, Quarto Publishing Group, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
July 29, 2015
Short monograph about one of the USA's founding fathers. Written at high school student level. Good read if you wish to refresh your knowledge of the American revolution. But also a good introduction to the life of an extraordinary human being. Business, journalism, writing, science, politics, diplomacy, the military: being visionary and groundbreaking in all of this areas, I cannot think of anybody else matching this. A true Homo Universalis. One of the main architects of modern democracy and the notion of freedom. Regardless of how you feel about the current state of the (Western) World, it's worth knowing what the origins are.
November 27, 2011
A very good basic introduction to Benjamin Franklin. I probably wouldn't recommend this to someone doing a report on Dr. Franklin, rather the format invites young people who read biographies because they are genuinely interested in the person. It reads more like a story than a reference-type book.
February 4, 2011
A bit dry for a 10 yrs. old. But factual.
October 13, 2014
EXCELLENT! Learned a lot about Franklin without being bored!
February 12, 2018
Fleming’s Ben Franklin: Inventing America details the life and times of a man most influential to the shaping of America. Franklin was a man of many talents, boundless energy, and curiosity worthy of a cat. Better known as an inventor and politician, he was also an eloquent philosopher, and an athlete. This last I had no idea about! Through a brilliant combination of easy to read prose, and photographs/illustrations, younger readers can learn all about this multi-talented man. There's much here about Franklin's personal life too. The fraction and fracture between he and his son was something I'd forgotten. And I had no idea the man had such a playful personality!
If you have any children with a love of history, this is the perfect gift!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
If you have any children with a love of history, this is the perfect gift!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 2, 2018
Terrific overview of one of America's greats, perhaps the most interesting of the Founding Fathers. Franklin defines polymath. Thomas Fleming did a nice job wrapping up his very full life into 200 pages!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews