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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
salval61's review against another edition
3.0
It seems unfair to rate a book poorly that was written thither, viz more than 200 years ago, so I will give it 3/5 posthaste.
johnnacapitano's review against another edition
5.0
I wouldn’t say a fun read, but I learned so much about Ben Franklin and Philadelphia in the 1700s. Great book for a book club discussion.
jenwehr's review against another edition
3.0
I’m thinking Autobiographies aren’t my thing. I need to read another book about Ben to be sure.
nightsdecay's review against another edition
4.0
Despite being a brief read, I spent a little longer reading this than I would've mainly because it was so well-written and every paragraph held nuggets of wisdom. At this point, a lot of what Franklin wrote and said has become well-known, but I still found bits and pieces that were unfamiliar to me.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in personal growth, or history in general. It's an easy, approachable read.
That being said, I would be mindful of the context in which it was written as there are many areas of the text that don't age well.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in personal growth, or history in general. It's an easy, approachable read.
That being said, I would be mindful of the context in which it was written as there are many areas of the text that don't age well.
warriorfelip's review against another edition
4.0
The beginning of his autobiography is really good. The first half is worthwhile to read, it has some funny moments like his ordeal with his older brother. The rest of the book, given that he was encouraged by others to write it instead of writing it entirely from his own will, felt a bit more rushed. It was condensed, and not as humorous as the first half, and it was a bit of a drag to get through to the end.
I’d still recommend it to read because Benjamin Franklin is an important forefather of American history, and his history to tell is an important one to listen to. Some of the life lessons he repeats for the audience are ones that I feel like more of us should learn.
I’d still recommend it to read because Benjamin Franklin is an important forefather of American history, and his history to tell is an important one to listen to. Some of the life lessons he repeats for the audience are ones that I feel like more of us should learn.
culkin's review against another edition
3.0
Well I found out only in reading that it wasn't complete! That surprised me. The title really should be changed to 'The Unfinished...' or something similar.
Started off so well! An awesome insight into the path this god of industriousness took from adolescence to adulthood. The best part was his account of how he settled his printing business in Pennsylvania, and how he carried out his life in general at that time, and how he learned to deal with people. It petered off half way and became mainly an account of politics and goings-on, still with the backdrop of his ridiculous industriousness.
The first part was 5/5, but the the book is not coherent so 3/5. Looking forward to a biography
Started off so well! An awesome insight into the path this god of industriousness took from adolescence to adulthood. The best part was his account of how he settled his printing business in Pennsylvania, and how he carried out his life in general at that time, and how he learned to deal with people. It petered off half way and became mainly an account of politics and goings-on, still with the backdrop of his ridiculous industriousness.
The first part was 5/5, but the the book is not coherent so 3/5. Looking forward to a biography
janie_at_the_library's review against another edition
5.0
B. Franklin's life never gets old. Highly recommend.
Read both the Penguin and the Yale Nota Bene (because I read ahead to help my highschooler then realized I ordered the wrong edition).
Read both the Penguin and the Yale Nota Bene (because I read ahead to help my highschooler then realized I ordered the wrong edition).
masupert's review against another edition
3.0
Overall an interesting book that details the first fifty years or so of Benjamin Franklin's life. As one of America's most interesting and charismatic founding fathers, this book does outline nicely the methods and reason that formed the personality that he is. Unfortunately the book cuts off in approximately 1755 and does not cover any of the American revolution at all. There really is no fault to be had of that because of how and when this was written, but I would advice to any reader that, that content is no in this volume.
The only other major complaint of the book is that it can be at times difficult to read since there are no chapters. The book is one continual exposition of Mr. Franklin's life which at times jumps around in content. I often found myself lost or confused as to what was being discussed if I took long periods of time between readings.
Overall though this is a nice book to read if you are looking at some background into the life of Benjamin Franklin.
The only other major complaint of the book is that it can be at times difficult to read since there are no chapters. The book is one continual exposition of Mr. Franklin's life which at times jumps around in content. I often found myself lost or confused as to what was being discussed if I took long periods of time between readings.
Overall though this is a nice book to read if you are looking at some background into the life of Benjamin Franklin.