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Americanization of Benjamin Franklin
| Our Price |
$ 29.01
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| Retail Value |
$ 34.95 |
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$ 5.94 (17%) |
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| Item Number |
502531 |
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Item Description...
Product Description
Ten years in the making, the new book from Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood reveals Benjamin Franklin's life and meaning.
Why did Benjamin Franklin retire from business and become gentleman? Why did he admire the British Empire--and join the American Revolution? Why did he being writing his Autobiography when he did? And how did the "first American" become an American in the first place?
Renowned historian Gordon S. Wood spent ten years studying a legend. In this untraditional biography, he penetrates beneath 200 years' accumulation of images and representations to find the historical Franklin. He places his subject's amazing life in its 18th century context an shatters forever the comforting stereotypes: homespun patriot, cracker-barrel philosopher, folksy founder, genial self-improver. Groundbreaking and riveting, this book is a must for anyone interested in American history and the roots of American character.
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Item Specifications...
Pages 600
Dimensions: Length: 6" Width: 5.2" Height: 1.1"
Weight: 0.5 lbs.
Binding CD
Release Date May 24, 2004
ISBN 1565118863
EAN 9781565118867
UPC 025024034954
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Availability 1 units.
Availability accurate as of May 30, 2012 03:49.
Usually ships within one to two business days from La Vergne, TN.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | And excellent read for the casual history buff Oct 26, 2008 |
When I began reading this biography, I had only the most superficial knowledge regarding Benjamin Franklin. All I knew of the man was largely based on factoids remembered from high school history. I'm no American History scholar, although I have a strong interest in Colonial America. So when it came time to pick up a book about Franklin, I must have been exceedingly lucky to have grabbed Gordon S. Wood's tome.
I had no idea about Franklin having been initially pro-British before he became our most famous patriot. And while I was aware of the axioms associated with his "Poor Richard's Almanac," learning more about his background by reading Wood's work gave that part of Franklin's character much greater meaning for me. And I was also amazed at Franklin's darker side, particularly how he treated his wife with a coldness and callousness that caused me to feel great ambivalence about this man. Knowing all this, would I ever want to associate with someone like Franklin? The fact that this biography caused such an emotional stir within me is to me a mark of greatness.
This is, indeed, an exceptional and accessible biography.
| | | | Man, Myth, America Apr 28, 2008 |
I, like most, know the ideolized stories of Ben Franklin and use many of his quotes in my email messages, but it was the recent HBO miniseries of John Adams that got me more interested in the man himself. Gordon Wood is one of my favorite historians when it comes to the Revolution and it was a no brainer for me to pick up this book.
Though it lacked with depth in many areas, it was a good starting point for further reading on the man. Where Wood fails is where he actually succeeds. His analysis of certain events did lack depth (his failure), but his use of events as they pertain to Franklin were very good (his success). It gave me a better understanding of the connections Franklin had with England (the working man attempting to become a gentleman in a British world that in many ways refused to accept him as such), his love of France (that truly embraced him), and his at best questionable memory in the American mind throughout the 19th Century. It is the final few chapters of the book that are by far the most interesting aspects of the book. The discussion of the strained relationship Franklin had in the nation he helped to create, his confrontations with Adams, and most importantly the struggles America had in its recognition of Franklin.
Though Wood does lack depth in many areas, this book is well written and should be the starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about a man who has so much myth and legend surrounding him.
| | | | eminently readable Feb 3, 2008 |
| The author does an excellent job of placing Franklin in the context of his time, and explaining his motives. There is an interesting account of what it meant to be a gentleman in the eighteenth century, and its significance to Franklin. The book is highly readable and not overly long. | | |  | Not What I Expected Sep 25, 2007 |
| When I saw Gordon Wood on Ben Franklin I thought look out! It's going to be like Ann Coulter on Bill Clinton. I was almost afraid to read because I adore Franklin so much. Alas, nothing new, nothing. (Spoiler!!!!!) Yes Ben cheated on his wife with numerous women, seduced wives, and may have even sold secrets to the British (that last one cannot necessarily be proven). But all Gordon did was write a GREAT little summary about the life of a great man. So why did I only give him only three stars? Well, when you see Mike Tyson you want to see a Pitbull off its leash. When I read Gordon Wood.... I want history off its leash. Now you know what to expect. Enjoy | | | | Insights on The Character of Ben Franklin Jun 24, 2007 |
| This is a well written story about Franklin with interesting insights on How Franklin evolved from being a lover of England, to becoming "American." The process evolved over Franklin's lifetime. Franklin had to undergo embarassment by England's political elite til he realized that England was not so benevolent to the colonies. There were moments I was wondering if Franklin was a Tory. But like a magician, Franklin changed his tune and became so radicalized that it ended up being an inspiration to others to bring the colonies together and declare independence from England. This was a well balanced biography that pointed out Franklin's warts along with his good points. I was impressed how fast the book read and how packed with info. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking at insights during the early formation of the United States. | | | Write your own review about Americanization of Benjamin Franklin
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