The first american the life and times of benjamin franklin

Brands is a professor of history and government at the university of texas and a prolific author. Review benjamin franklin may have been the most remarkable american ever to live. As a young man, franklin arrived at a position of what brands called pragmatic moralism p. Brands vividly brings to life one of the most delightful, bawdy. Benjamin franklin, perhaps the pivotal figure in colonial and revolutionary america, comes vividly to life in this masterly biography. Drawing on previously unpublished letters, as well as the reminiscences and anecdotes of contemporaries, this thoughtprovoking biography captures the. Following an introduction by a benjamin franklin reenactor, professor brands talked about his biography the first american.

Brands makes sense of franklin s life story, tells it with verve, and is especially good at elucidating his subjects character and temperament. Drawing on previously unpublished letters, as well as the reminiscences and anecdotes of contemporaries, this thoughtprovoking biography captures the life and times of americas first renaissance man, discussing benjamin franklin s diverse roles as a scientist, businessman, philosopher, writer, inventor, diplomat, politician, wit, and founding father. As the first american makes clear, franklin was, in every respect, americas first renaissance man. The first american paperback the life and times of benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklins life spanned an era of radical change, beginning at a time when witch trials were routine in the colonies. Not only is it as encyclopedic as one volume can be, but. Brands brings vividly to life one of the most delightful. Not only is it as encyclopedic as one volume can be, but the writing style is so engaging that brandss work should supplant carl van dorens benjamin franklin 1938 as the standard franklin biography for the general reading public brands brings to life both franklin and his times. The image of franklin, the first postmaster general of the united states, occurs on the face of u. A much needed reminder of franklins greatness and humanity, the first american is a work of meticulous scholarship that provides a magnificent tour of a. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the first american. In the first comprehensive biography of benjamin franklin in over sixty years, acclaimed historian h.

A summary of the first american in s benjamin franklin. Brands has written an absorbing singlevolume biography of benjamin franklin. Brands 2002, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. This is an excellent biography of one of the, if not the, preeminent colonial personages. Thomas jefferson hailed him as the ornament of our country. From penniless runaway to highly successful printer, from ardently loyal subject of. Brands vividly brings to life one of the most delightful, bawdy, original, and important figures in american history. The life and times of benjamin franklin the males of the hutchinson family that included both religious dissenter anne and immensely wealthy and politically connected thomas were merchants who sought salvation through commerce. Wit, diplomat, scientist, philosopher, businessman, inventor, and bon vivant, benjamin franklin was in every respect. Benjamin franklin and the american revolution benjamin franklins later years one of the leading figures of early american history, benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author. Brands vividly brings to life one of the most delightful, bawdy, brilliant, original, and important figures in american history. Benjamin franklin the first american legends of america. Apr 06, 2020 benjamin franklin is best known as one of the founding fathers who never served as president but was a respected inventor, publisher, scientist and diplomat. May 26, 2010 pulitzer prize finalistbenjamin franklin, perhaps the pivotal figure in colonial and revolutionary america, comes vividly to life in this masterly biography.

Benjamin franklin may have been the most remarkable american ever to live. Brands at times reads like a history of the united states during the 18th century. The life and times of benjamin franklin journal of. He was the foremost american of his day, yet today he is little more than a mythic caricature in the public imagination. W download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.

Benjamin franklin is best known as one of the founding fathers who never served as president but was a respected inventor, publisher, scientist and diplomat. Brands 716 pages anchor books random house published. The life and times of benjamin franklin by brands, h. Brands begins at the beginning, taking us through franklin s life in stages from his birth in 1706 to his death in 1790, in a thorough and balanced biography, the first american. Franklin was extraordinarily active in the life of his community. The first american the life and times of benjamin franklin. The first major biography of benjamin franklin in more than sixty years, the first american is history on a grand scale a work of meticulous scholarship and a thoroughly engaging portrait of the foremost american of his day. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the first american.

Wit, diplomat, scientist, philosopher, businessman, inventor, and bon vivant, benjamin franklin was in every respect americas first renaissance man. Delaware county district library ohio scanned in china. The life and times of benjamin franklin paperback march 12, 2002 by h. The first american quotes showing 15 of 5 ben franklin advises his grandson not to let even the american revolution interrupt his studies, urging of young adulthood, this is the time of life in which you are to lay the foundations of your future improvement and of your importance among men. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of benjamin franklin and what it means. It must have surprised him to realize that americans had grown so hostile to british rule during his time in london. However, for those in the academy who seek a scholarly biography that best sets the man in the circumstances of his time, esmond wrights franklin of philadelphia 1986 remains unsurpassed. Chicago turabian author date citation style guide brands, h. Benjamin franklin is a prominent figure in american history comparable to washington, jefferson and lincoln, and as such he has been honored on u. One of the leading figures of early american history, benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor and diplomat.

Benjamin franklins life spanned an era of radical change, beginning at a time when witch trials were routine in the colonies, and ending in an age when electricity had become the new supernatural force and an independent young nation stood ready to take on its role as an emerging. He earned the title of the first american for his tireless campaigning for colonial unity. Brands about the book he was the foremost american of his day, yet today he is little more than a mythic caricature in the public imagination. The life and times of benjamin franklin, published by doubleday. Brands begins at the beginning, taking us through franklins life in stages from his birth in 1706 to his death in 1790, in a thorough and balanced biography, the first american. Reading benjamin franklin s biography, the first american. Diplomat, scientist, philosopher, businessman, inventor, wit, and bon vivant, benjamin franklin was in every respect americas first renaissance man. Pulitzer prize finalist benjamin franklin, perhaps the pivotal figure in colonial and revolutionary america, comes vividly to life in this masterly biography.

Benjamin franklin 17061790 a leading founding father of the united states, franklin was also an author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. The life and times of benjamin franklin kindle edition by brands, h. Benjamin franklins life spanned an era of radical change, beginning at a time when witch trials were routine in the colonies, and ending in an age when electricity had become the new supernatural force and an independent young nation stood ready to take on its role as an emerging world. Brands 2000, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. The life and times of benjamin franklin was published in 2000 and was a pulitzer prize finalist. In 1762 to 1762, during the brief interlude between his two missions to britain, he had been neckdeep in pennsylvania politics. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, a founding father and a leading figure of early american history. The introduction, discussion questions, suggested reading list, and author biography that follow are intended to enhance your groups reading of the first american, the first comprehensive biography of benjamin franklin in over sixty years. Franklin misjudged american opposition to the stamp act. National bestseller he was the foremost american of his day, yet today he is little more than a mythic caricature in the public imagination. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.

Wit, diplomat, scientist, philosopher, businessman, inventor, and bon vivant, benjamin franklin was in every respect americas first. His life was so sweeping that this comprehensive biography by h. The life and times of benjamin franklin ebook written by h. To discuss franklin s life and legacy, we are joined by h. H w brands the first major biography of benjamin franklin in more than sixty years, the first american is history on a grand scale a work of meticulous scholarship and a thoroughly engaging portrait of the.