A review by uncommongrace25
The Loyal Son: The War in Ben Franklin's House by Daniel Mark Epstein

4.0

I have read a lot of history books over the years and more than my share of Benjamin Franklin biographies (mainly for kids), but this one kind of blew me away. It recounts most of the big highlights of Franklins life with a light touch on his scientific experiments and more rigorous appraisal of his diplomatic pursuits. However neither this man’s intense grasp of human nature nor his status and power within the rebellion could prevent what must have been the deepest wound he ever felt— his son’s loyalty to the king, arrest and later involvement in crimes against rebels. I really enjoyed this unique biography that shed light on many aspects of Franklins life and that of the nation’s early days that I had no knowledge of. At times poignant and other times maddening, the relationship between this father and son and extended family resonates in the hearts of all who have family and wonder if those bonds could survive the type of challenges these men endured.