The Real Benjamin Franklin

by Andrew M. Allison

The Real Benjamin The True Story of America's Greatest Diplomat. There are many Benjamin Franklins -- or at least he has taken on many different forms in the history books of the last two centuries. Some historians have shown us an aged statesman whose wise and steadying influence kept the Constitutional Convention together in 1787, while others have conjured up sensational tales of a lecherous old diplomat. Unfounded myths are now being repeated and embellished in school textbooks and educational television programs. Which of all these Benjamin Franklins, if any, is real? This book is an attempt to answer that question. The Real Benjamin Franklin seats us across the table from the one person who really knew Benjamin Franklin -- that is, Franklin himself -- and gives him an opportunity to explain his life and ideas in his own words. Part I of this book details his exciting biography, and Part II includes his most important and insightful writings, all carefully documented from original sources. Highly acclaimed by many, including Glenn Beck of the Fox News Channel. Published by the National Center for Constitutional Studies, a nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to restoring Constitutional principles in the tradition of America's Founding Fathers. The National Center for Constitutional Studies...is doing a fine public service in educating Americans about the principles of the Constitution. -- Ronald Reagan, President of the United States

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Politics, Historical, Classics

504 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Jessica Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is the will of God and nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living. A man is not completely born until he be dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?

We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes, and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way."

This author really clarifies who Benjamin Franklin was by using Dr. Franklin's own words. He was an intelligent and hard working patriot, who loved science, his family, and his country. He worked hard from the age of 12 and by age 40 he and his wife were out of debt and retired. That was when his political career really started.

He was sent to England for a time to come up with solutions on the problems between America and England. After that he was sent to France for some 25 years to first try and gain an ally and then after the war as the minister to France.

After his health started to deteriorate he was called back home where he became the governor of Pennsylvania until 1788. From 1788 until his death in 1790 he remained active in the American Philosophical Society and the Society for Political Enquiries.

There were over twenty thousand people at his funeral. Thomas Jefferson stated what most Americans felt, "His death was an affliction which was to happen to us at some time or other. We have reason to be thankful he was so long spared; that the most useful life should be the longest also; that it was protracted so far beyond the ordinary span allotted to man as to avail us of his wisdom in the establishment of our . . . freedom."

[Jeff Stockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. I didn't realize how little I knew about Benjamin Franklin until I read this book and discovered so many new things.

Here are just a few things that impressed me about his life:
- He had an incredible work ethic. He worked hard and got out of debt so that he was able to retire in his forties
- He desired to serve others. Most of his life was spent away from his family serving his country as an ambassador to the European nations.
- He was an avid reader. It was said that his personal library was the greatest in the Americas. He read every subject imaginable.
- He had a firm belief in God. He was a Deist in his early life, but later came to believe in God as a loving, benevolent Father.
- He never desired a revolution. His desire for peace was so great that he offered to pay for the tea that was destroyed in the Boston Tea Party if only England would remove the "Intolerable Acts" as they were called at the time.


Here are a few quotes from him that stuck out to me.

On freedom of speech (when he was sixteen years old):
"Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom, and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech...This sacred privilege is so essential to free governments that the security of property and the freedom of speech always go together; and in those wretched countries where a man cannot call his tongue his own, he can scarce call anything else his own. Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech."

On how to please God:
"I conceive for many reasons that he is a good being; and as I should be happy to have so wise, good, and powerful a bing my friend, let me consider in what manner I shall make myself most acceptable to him.
Next to the praise resulting from and due to his wisdom, I believe he is pleased, and delights in the happiness of those he has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe he delights to see my virtuous, because he is pleased when he sees me happy..
I love him, therefore, for his goodness, and I adore him for his wisdom.
Let me, then, not fail to praise my God continually, for it is his due, and it is all I can return for his many favors and great goodness to me; and let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be happy, that I may please him who is delighted to see me happy."

On Marriage:
"Marriage is...the most natural state of man, and therefore the state in which you are most likely to find solid happiness...It is the man and woman united that make the complete human being...Together they are more likely to succeed in the world. A single man has not nearly the value he would have in the state of union. He is an incomplete animal he resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors."

On slavery:
"mankind are all formed by the same Almighty Being, alike objects of his care, and equally designed for the enjoyment of happiness...these blessings ought rightfully to be administered, without distinction of color, to all descriptions of people."

"[I] earnestly entreat your serious attention to the subject of slavery; that you will be pleased to countenance the restoration of liberty to those unhappy men who alone in this land of freedom are degraded to perpetual bondage, and who, amidst the general joy of surrounding freemen, are groaning in servile subjection; that you will devise means for removing this inconsistency from the character of the American people; that you will promote mercy and justice toward this distressed race;"

Overall, this was an excellent book and it helped me to gain a much better understanding of who Benjamin Franklin was. I highly recommend it.

[Tyler Shafer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is hagiography, not biography. A simple list of achievements does not paint a complete or compelling picture of a human, no matter how detailed the list may be. Moreover, the author makes almost no effort to contextualize their subject, which limits the reader’s appreciation of those achievements. More problematic still, there are no vivid descriptions of the time, place, or cultural milieu to invite the reader into the world of the subject. All the biographies I have enjoyed recently - John Adams, Undaunted Courage, The Last Dance - more effectively brought me closer to their subject because I got to “see” the world in which they lived. Indeed, McCullough’s seminal work on Adams is vastly superior to this work in every way. Ultimately this is true because, though it may seem cliche, I feel I came to know (and like) Adams - hard-working, self-reflective, unassuming, stubborn Adams - much more than the seemingly pedantic Franklin, who I could only see at a vast distance through reading this book. Finally, I must admit I may have been biased by this book’s introduction. Though I believe that our founders will forever be relevant and that their great contributions should be celebrated, I also feel that they can and should be understood as imperfect men. Furthermore, I do not believe that, as the introduction suggests, we can alleviate all of our current problems as a nation simply by re-reading the writings of our Founders. Five to ten men that lived nearly 300 years ago do not encapsulate the breadth of American social and political thought.

[Emily Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so refreshing to read a biography that is cemented in scholarship and fact rather than mired in revisionism and opinion. Please see my review of The Real George Washington for further information on this series as, generally, my thoughts are the same and I'd rather not repeat myself. I did enjoy reading The Real Benjamin Franklin more than The Real George Washington simply because Franklin is a more colorful character; his humor, eccentricity, diplomacy and creativity shine brilliantly through the dusty pages of history.

[Daleb. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and delightful book about a very misunderstood and misinterpreted man!
After my second time around w/the main portion of this book, I finally managed to get through the Timeless Treasures portion of it. My attention span isn't what it used to be and reading all the very short letters, notes, etc., on various subjects from his life was very hard for me to get through. Too short to really get into, but too interesting to Not read. This sort of thing makes me wish for an eidetic memory...i could've spent a year just going through and writing down all the quotes that struck me for one reason or another.
Now on to finish the same portion of the Jefferson book.
xoDaleB.xo

[Kristina Seleshanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an accurate, easy to read biography, based on Franklin's autobiography, letters, and publications. It is well footnoted and largely cites original sources. This is a great book not just for adults, but for kids 6th grade and up who want a broad understanding of the man. The author also briefly discusses two prominent rumors about Franklin, sometimes cited as fact in textbooks: that he had an illegitimate child and that he was a ladies' man. The biography is followed by a good compilation of quotes by Franklin on subjects as wide ranging as marriage and family, religion, politics, science, and fashion.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books looks at Ben Franklin through the lens of historical writings, including much of Franklin's own words. It tackles and debunks the many rumors demonizing his moral character that began by his detractors during his lifetime and persist even today. Ben Franklin was an amazing and accomplished man who spent his entire lifetime on a quest to improve humanity throughout his sphere of influence - which ended up to be quite large.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished it! Actually, this was a very well written, exceptional biography of Benjamin Franklin. (It helps that most of it is Benjamin Franklin's words themselves!) I learned a lot more about this incredible Founding Father and think that every US citizen should be required to read The American Classic Series about Franklin, Jefferson and Washington.

[Alan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Words of Franklin - Awesome!

Another treasure from the Center of Constitutional Studies. I love this book and it's quotations from the great man, Benjamin Franklin. I also love the glossary of topics at the ends containing Franklin's words of intellect and wisdom.

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it

[Rob Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and well-cited primer on the extraordinary life of Dr. Franklin. For me, it was a very helpful refresher after close study many years ago.

[Jessica]

Quotes on Pages

41-43
218
182
259

[Mzford]

Do today's leaders even begin to rise to this level?

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned many things about Franklin that I had wither forgotten or did not know. Can't help but respect one of our founding fathers even more.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read! It heavily relies on primary sources, which is always good for a biography. It's also a pretty quick read. (The actual biography is only about half the book; the other half is a quotation dictionary.)

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

November 11, 2016
Book Review #3
Wyckhuyse

The Real Benjamin Franklin is one of the best biographies of Benjamin Franklin. This 504 page book was written by the National Center for Constitutional Studies. From young apprentice Ben to the oldest Constitutional Convention Delegate, The Real Benjamin Franklin will tell the secrets and success of Ben Franklin's life. Benjamin Franklin was an accomplished man, known for his experiments in electricity, his service in the Postal Services and Printing Press, his political views and views on the government, and the impact he made in the Constitutional Convention. Franklin proved to be a real American Hero and Founding Father. Benjamin Franklin is considered “the only great diplomat America ever produced.”(pg. 5)-(Literary Element- Character)


Ben was born January 17, 1706 and died April 17, 1790. Born in Boston, Massachusetts Ben started his heroic life. He traveled all over the world forming and creating a Union. “He eventually spent twenty-five years overseas representing his country, and for his skillful negotiations with England and France.”(pg. 5) Franklin was wise and intelligent for his years. It was Franklin that said, “A penny earned, is a penny saved”, along with, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”(pg. 56) Franklin became an apprentice at age twelve. Knowing his brother would not allow him to write for the paper, young Franklin made the Dogood letters under a pen name, Silence Dogood. Franklin was an intelligent, kind, knowledgeable human being. He is truly an American Hero and Founding Father.(Literary Element-Setting)


I would recommend this biography to anyone looking for a true biography of an extraordinary man. It’s a great way to learn the whole truth about Benjamin Franklin and the extraordinary human he was. Without this exceptional Founding Father, America today would be so much different then we know it today.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read "The Real Benjamin Franklin" I thought there could be no other man who did more for the new American Republic than he. Then I read "The Real George Washington" and realized I had found a man who had equaled Franklin. After reading "The Real Thomas Jefferson" I discovered that the three of them in their own way were indispensable to our country. These books are wonderful. (Each has an alphabetical collection of quotes from the man on various subjects that occupies at least 1/3 of the book.)

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone with even a remote interest in American history. I have to say, I never knew the scope and depth of Franklin's life. I am almost speechless about what to say about him. I have so much regard for him after reading this book and will read it again - which is saying something.

Don't worry about it coming off too text-bookish. It will go down like a spoonful of sugar, so to speak. It is very engaging and informative, also offering differing sides to some matters of debate in regards to Franklin's life. I liked that. You won't be sorry you read this.

[Lindsay Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! THis man was amazing! He made the goal to perfect himself, and to help him accomplish that he made a list of all the characters of Christ and then put forth a full weeks focus on each. He did this for most of his life. Interesting enough, as a missionary you do the same thing as it is outlined in Preach My Gospel. He was a great man. After reading so much about Thomas Jefferson, I wondered why Benjamin Franklin was ordained a high priest and not Thomas Jefferson. I think this goal of Benjamin Franklin's could very well have made the difference. Just a thought ;)

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fascinating.

As I am Canadian, I never learned American history in school. This was a great read. It was well put together with sources from letters written to and from Benjamin, as well as historic facts, and snippets from old documents.

It starts at the beginning of his life, and discusses childhood, education, politics, inventions, and family life all the way to his death.

In the back 1/2, is an index of many quotes directly from Benjamin Franklin sorted by subject.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The picture I had of Benjamin Franklin was so different than what is portrayed in this book. With writings from many friends and political associates, as well as his family's and his own words, the man is transformed from the lacivious, selfish man that other historians have given us, to a tender-hearted, generous, interested, forward-thinking, loving husband, father, friend and citizen. A wonderful book!

[Christy Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I love this man! There are a lot of lies about his character that are explained and proved to be false. He was thrifty, witty, ingenious, and humble; someone who is truly worthy to be set up as a role model. I loved his list of virtues he tried to emulate.

The book is divided into two parts, the second is a collection of quotes.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard so many negative things about Benjamin Franklin, that I really wanted to read this and find out a little more about him. He was a man with faults like the rest of us, but he was an amazing human being. He gave so much to the cause of our freedom and I feel an enormous amount of gratitude for him and what he did for me personally.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the life of a brilliant stateman, scientific genius, and political visionary. Franklin has so many admiraable gifts and qualities, and reading about his life inspired me to be a better person. I felt that the book could have been more thorough and am currently reading Carl Van Doren's history, which seems more comprehensive.

[Rebecca Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually haven't finished reading this yet. I had to return it to the library because it was on hold for someone else, but I'll be finishing it. It is a wonderful history about Franklin and dispels some of the rumors out there.

[Rusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most intelligent, hard working man in American history.

Truly fascinating and inspiring. After reading his accomplishments, I feel a bit inadequate. Oh well, I'm glad he help form our country and not me.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biography about an amazing man. Definitely worth the read. Why not a 5? Mainly because I would like the book to have got deeper into some of his experiments, etc.. Still love the book and glad I own it.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just don't have people like this anymore. At least not as many all at the same time, in the same place, it seems. There are so many people I'll be happy to meet and thank someday one 'the other side'.

[Bernard Doddema Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple read for one of the most intelligent men of his time. It's amazing how his thinking still pertains to this day.

The one thing I didn't know was during his last days he fought to give slaves their freedom.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like "The Real George Washington" this book was made up mostly with Benjamin Franklin's own words. I thought it was well written and researched. It was also a pleasantly short read...took me about two weeks.