Selected Writings

by Benjamin Franklin

Writer, Statesman, World-traveler, Publisher, Inventor, Philosopher, Printer, Diplomat, Newspaper editor, Scientist, Satirist, Pamphleteer, Social critic. Of all America's illustrious Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin was the one who most readily wore the mantle of the Renaissance Man. His interests were remarkably eclectic, and his talents extraordinarily diverse. A signer of the Declaration of Independence, a founder of the subscription library system, inventor of bifocal eyeglasses and the lightning rod, and an originator of the city of Philadelphia's first fire department. Franklin might have gone on to a distinguished career in any of the disciplines for which he showed enthusiasm. Today, we remember him as a writer of some of the wittiest and most stimulating essays and articles published during our nation's Colonial era, all informed by his boundless intellectual curiosity and open-minded spirit of inquiry.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, American History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Benjamin Franklin was a writer, a philosopher, a scientist, a politician, a patriot, a Founding Father, an inventor, and publisher. He helped with the founding of the United States of America and changed the world with his discoveries about electricity. His writings such as Poor Richards' Almanac have provided wisdom for 17 years to the colonies.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather difficult getting through. Although, that may be my fault and not the editors. It is written as Franklin himself wrote each passage. So, the old-English style is prevalent. This did bog me down a bit. That being said, for a serious Benjamin Franklin fan, this book is a must, along with his Autobiography.

[Frank Cardenas · Rating 2 out of 5]

A plain account of all his works, which you don't appreciate much as you go through the book but later when you think of the consequences of these same actions.