Benjamin Franklin [Hardcover]

In slightly more than 300 elegantly written pages, Yale historian Morgan transformed this skeleton into a living, breathing man. Although Morgan based this brief history on a wealth of source documents, he tells Franklin's story effortlessly. I felt as though I had taken a long walk with a very interesting companion, and come away with a whole new understanding of a great and complex figure.

Morgan devotes most of the book to detailing Franklin's central role in the long series of calculations and miscalculations that pushed thirteen loyal and tractable British colonies into revolution and forged them into the United States of America. Franklin, we learn, was there at every step, usually behind the scenes, but always extremely influential, a potent catalyst to change.

It's as fascinating to follow the evolution of Franklin's own thoughts and feelings about the British Empire and the future of America as it is to get to catch a replay of the fateful steps in Britain and the colonies that led to the American revolution. I wish that America were blessed with more statesmen like Franklin; we could certainly use someone like him right now.

Just one caveat--Franklin's scientific accomplishments are mentioned, but really as a side issue. In this, Morgan seems to be following Franklin's own lead; we learn that he viewed the scientific accomplishments that won him universal acclaim as less important than his far-sighted, patient, sometimes personally costly contributions as a politician and statesman.

It's hard to imagine a more readable, edifying or enjoyable introduction to Benjamin Franklin.

Robert Adler
Author of Science Firsts: From the Creation of Science to the Science of Creation (Wiley, 2002).

As Mr. Morgan has been fond of saying, "History can be boring." Consequently, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN not only educates, but I found it entertaining as well, a claim many biographies would loved to be tagged with. Mr. Morgan extolls Franklin's intellectual gifts as well as his place in history. Thus, the reader learns a bit more about the man, Ben Franklin, than just his deeds.

Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston although he soon made his way to Philadelphia, where he began his assent into historic laurel. Franklin's public career was nothing less than extraordinary. An author, scientist, politician, diplomat and inventor, he was a member of the 2nd Continental Congress and was instrumental in the creation and writing of the Declaration of Independence. His achievements were innumerable, from founding one of the country's first volunteer fire companies to his infamous discovery of electricity, a discovery founded on the "kite" legend.

Although an incredible man, Morgan goes to great lengths to ensure that the reader understands Franklin's complicated relationship with England and, at times, poor politics. An ardent proponent of Mother England, his attachment to the country became extremely complex in the winter of his life and caused his stellar reputation to be somewhat tarnished. Hardline American statesmen reminded anyone who would listen that Franklin openly described himself as "an Englishman living in America."

It is obvious that Mr. Morgan genuinely appreciates Franklin, his mind and accomplishments. "Intellectual curiosity is one of the rarest gifts and ... he was just loaded with curiosity. He never took things for granted," Morgan says. "He is the most modern of all the Founding Fathers, the oldest in years but the youngest in outlook. He takes you by surprise."

Mr. Morgan's research for this offering was somewhat unorthodox by today's standards. He indicates that he did not read a biography on Franklin, rather he became enthralled by the existence of Franklin's complete papers on CD-ROM. The Packard Humanities Institute created the CD, which, Morgan says, compelled him to write the book.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is a remarkably "easy" read and one that is quite enjoyable. If I had one gripe, it is Mr. Morgan's depiction of Franklin's personal psyche or, should I say, lack of depiction. In many cases, biographers inundate a reader with a litany of personal information, which, at times, saturates the biography with distracting ideosyncratic nuances. In BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, I believe there was too little description of Franklin's personal life and private persona. This doesn't denigrate the book as a whole, rather it leaves the reader with a "hole" in the inquisitive understanding of Franklin.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in learning more about our Founding Fathers and an incredible man.

Morgan's always been known for the quality of his writing and making history come alive with passion and pathos. An even greater skill of the author is being able to write concisely; each word counts for something.

Anyone interested in learning about the great man, Dr. Franklin, should read Morgan's book and become captivated by the man, the story, and the unique character of our remarkable country.