A Dangerous Engine: Benjamin Franklin, from Scientist to Diplomat

by Joan Dash, Dušan Petričić (Illustrator)

At the time of his famous kite experiment, Benjamin Franklin was unaware that his theories about electricity had already made him a celebrity all over Europe, especially in France, where fashionable circles loved to discuss scientific discovery. Admired by the French court and beloved by French citizens, Franklin effectively became America’s first foreign diplomat, later helping to enlist France’s military and financial support for the American Revolution. A father of the revolution and a
signer of the Constitution, Franklin was a lightning rod in political circles – “a dangerous Engine,” according to a critic. And although he devoted the last twenty-five years of his life to affairs of state, his first love was always science. Handsome pen-and-ink drawings highlight moments in this revolutionary thinker’s life. From the author and illustrator of The Longitude Prize , a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book and winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, comes another story of adventure and invention, of one man’s curiosity and the extraordinary rewards of his discoveries, just in time to celebrate the 300th anniversary of his birth (January 17, 1706).

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 27, 2005

About the author

Joan Dash is a prizewinning author of biographies for young adults. Her early works, including A Life of One's Own: Three Gifted Women and the Men They Married, Summoned to Jerusalem: The Life of Henrietta Szold, and The Triumph of Discovery: Women Scientists Who Won the Nobel Prize, participate in the growing movement to bring to light the achievements of notable women in history. In The Triumph of Discovery, for example, Dash puts the spotlight on four women who have won the Nobel Prize since 1960; at the time of the book's creation, only ten Nobels had ever been awarded to women, including two to Marie Curie. Dash was praised for clearly elucidating the nature of these scientists' contributions, as well as placing their personal and professional life experiences in the context of their times. Perhaps most importantly, "the author communicates the excitement and satisfaction of a life in science," remarked Zena Sutherland in Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Reviews

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read on Franklin, with some facts that I have not previously encountered. A great quote I ran across of his when he encouraged his daughter to continue attending a church she disapproved of is this: She must never miss a prayer day, he said, nor "despise Sermons even of the preachers you dislike, for the Discourse is often much better than the Man, as sweet and clear Waters come to us through very dirty earth." (She, of course, resented his advice to do what it is he did not.)He was clever, and immensely prodigious, and this author does not do him harm.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dangerous Engine by Joan Dash is a classical book. It show cases Benjamin Franklin and his life story. I would say this is a biography and I recommend it to readers who are interested in U.S. history. 5/5🌟

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of America’s most recognizable, formidable and persuasive characters is highlighted in this biography of Benjamin Franklin. His love of science and his desire to prove his theories relating to scientific principles is presented in a captivating format. His drive and passion, for all knowledge, is accomplished through his love of books, a healthy dose of discussion among learned peers and a quest to document theories with statistics, graphs and experiments. And as such, his enthrallment of all principles and theories scientific was his first love. However, he was drawn into the world of politics and policies, diplomacy and differing opinions. He spent much of the last 25 years of his life in France, acting as a go-between for a young and abrasive America and gentile and luxurious France. The French loved him and revered him as a scientist and a scholarly man, while at home his actions were met with skepticism. A signer of the Constitution and a supporter of America’s revolution, he acted as a foreign diplomat, all the while his true love, science, was a constant companion.

[Delshawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is just down right horrible. I can't even look at the front cover! Of course you think I don't like the author, but I do. It's just this book. I hate it, and even though it had facts that are true, the book put me to sleep. I'll leave it at that. It makes my brain hurt and doesn't have any flavor. I couldn't even sink my teeth into it. I feel so sad for the author. This book makes Diary Of A Wimpy Kid look like it won Best Seller In a week.
Comment

[Emory · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dangerous engine was a very fact filled book. But it wasn't very interesting because it mostly facts never stories. Which can make sense because you get a story but you can very know it is true. Unless the person tell you them self. I used this book for my LA essay which it was great for but it wasn't making me want to read it more. I learned that Ben was a skookum man and should be know for it. Not for his discovery, but for the things that made Benjamin Franklin a "dangerous engine".

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can offer electrifying, boredom buster feats. Life with Ben Franklin never lacked punch. He played with electricity producing riveting results. There was the dangling boy and the electrified kite and charged spider. And then there was the first practical use of electricity involving chickens.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally finished this! This book spends a lot of time describing Benjamin Franklin's experiments before entering into public service. I liked it. I also liked the bibliography which is very informative.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

For youngish readers, it is fascinating and easy to read, quick but informative. Makes me think I don't work hard enough seeing what Ben invented and did over his long lifetime. Inspiring for budding scientists from 8 to 80.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good, ben franklin trying to electricute turkeys, being a ladies man, it really is good

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was good information in here, but it was very dry and boring to read.