The Benjamin Franklin of this history is both a legendary Founding Father and a man who changes as the circumstances around him shift. He begins as a businessman, becomes a scientist, philosopher, and public servant. He spends many years in London and expresses views in line with British imperialism. Then, as the American colonies move towards revolution, Franklin shifts again - becoming an American and a diplomat. This volume highlights these changes in Franklin's views and makes for a fascinating read on one of the most remarkable founders. ( )

An enlightening glimpse into the life of an imperfect genius of a man and much that he gave to our history and posterity. ( )

This biography of Benjamin Franklin centers around how Franklin came to be viewed as the quintessential American and how he changed his views from a staunch loyalist to become one the key contributors to the American Revolution. It seeks to go beyond the familiar stories of his role as a founding father, writer of Poor Richard’s Almanac, and scientist conducting electricity experiments with kites. It shows Franklin as a man of many talents and experiences, who was decades older than his fellow founding fathers. It is definitely not a hagiography, as it shows Franklin’s foibles as well as his strengths. It provides a well-rounded view of Franklin as an author, printer, scientist, inventor, philosopher, and diplomat.

Franklin was born to a family of modest means and became a printer. He was looked down upon by the “gentlemen” of the era. A gentleman was born into wealth and was not required to work as a tradesman in order to produce income. Ironically, Franklin wanted to transform into a gentleman, a person of leisure who could be a patron to others, a goal which he eventually achieved. He has always been touted as the epitome of a self-made man but Franklin himself wanted to align with the landed gentry and benefitted from the assistance of wealthy patrons. It may come as a surprise to many Americans that Franklin started out as a confirmed British loyalist. He spent many years in England and would probably have stayed there if the British government has conceded to his requests. The narrative shows how his interactions with England’s government, and an attack on his character, changed his views drastically and led him to support the revolution. He was also a controversial figure during his lifetime and upon his death, was celebrated much more in France, where he spent eight of his happiest years, than in his home country.

Wood’s writing is organized, logical, well-researched, and focused. He cites many examples from various letters, journals, and Franklin’s autobiography, and uses them to highlight Franklin’s inconsistencies between what he outwardly stated and what he practiced in his private life. Wood provides insight on Ben Franklin’s character and brings to light many lesser known facts, exploding a few myths along the way.

The audio book is read by Peter Johnson, who does a good job with the performance. It kept me entertained for over eight hours on a driving trip. Recommended to those interested in US history, especially the lives of the founding fathers.
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What I admired most about Wood's writing in this brief so-called biography of good ol' Ben is his research. It's almost as if Wood spent the time reading as many books about BF as were available; then he sat back and gave his overall summation and discerning light on key aspects of BF's life--especially in the attempt to debunk the myths many of us have associated with BF over the 200+ years of our history. I appreciated this wide-scope approach and felt as if I were in capable hands as Wood expertly touched on how this once fervently loyal man to the English crown became as fervently loyal to the revolution against said crown and reemerged as one of our most zealous Founding Fathers. ( )

A brief, engaging look look at Franklin- both his life, and the creation of his legends ( )

Gordon Wood is really one of my favorite historians. What I think he does particularly well is to put the American revolution in the context of wider worldwide events and intellectual movements. The revolution for Wood is not in isolation but to be understood in wider circles of Enlightenment philosophy, European rivalry, as well as post-revolutionary needs for symbols. I'm not a fan of blatant revisionism for revisionism's sake, but I think Wood's original and creative ways of interpreting history adds to our understanding in a solid way. In his book about Benjamin Franklin he seriously challenges the myths that have grown up around the founding father. He's done a great job of both bebunking or at least qualifying some of the mythical characteristics as well as explaining how and why these myths arose in the first place. Wood really tries to dig into how Franklin felt and his ideologies, which are complex and dynamic; this makes the book somewhat speculative at points, but I think that's the nature of historical scholarship. The biography is structured well, focusing on some key moments rather than Franklin's entire life and written in a clear simple matter. One of Wood's greatest strengths is to express complicated ideas in simple language and make academica more accessible to all. A great short read for anyone interested in American history. ( )

Over the past two months I have been reading two biographies about Benjamin Franklin. The biography written by Walter Isaacson is massive and aims for completeness. It describes every step in Franklin's life in meticulous detail. Hence, the amount of information is overwhelming and the whole is rather stodgy. Isaacson is the chief editor of CNN. Good scholarship, but obviously no vision.

The other biography focuses on one aspect of Benjamin Franklin, namely how he became the icon of America. The writing style of this book is much freer, much more enjoyable read. Wood provides a much clearer picture of Franklin, transcending the dusty sources, and doing more justice to other people in Franklin's life, particularly Deborah, his wife, and William, his son. Gordon S. Wood is a professor of history, specialized in the period of the formation of the American republic. His book is a pleasure to read, obviously Wood has a vision.

Obviously, it doesn't harm to read two books about Benjamin Franklin. ( )

An interesting examination of the changing public image of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was a loyal advocate of the British Crown until he became convinced that England would not treat the colonies justly. His major contribution to the Revolution was his diplomacy in France, which was underestimated in his lifetime. Wood explains how Franklin's Autobiography contributed to America's image as a land of hard working, self-made men. ( )

A masterpiece of historical biography. Not only does Wood provide a compelling account of Franklin's life, recreating the rich political and social context of the eighteenth century Anglo-American culture, he explains how and why the subsequent layers of mythology have surrounded and distorted Franklin. ( )

It’s important to understand that this is not a biography of Franklin in the normal sense. It does tell the story of his life and his rise to political influence, but it’s more about how his reputation and image was molded into something different over the years. Wood’s goal was to remove the myths and get to the heart of who Ben Franklin truly was, but answering that question isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Franklin was the youngest son of 17 children. Despite his huge family and low stature, he managed to get a position as a printer’s apprentice and start to learn a trade. He was one of the first truly a self-made men in America. Over the years he wrote columns for his newspaper under dozens of pseudonyms. He was vocal about his beliefs and never shied away from stating an opinion, though he might only do it anonymously.

He was a scientist, political leader, ambassador, inventor, post master, printer, free mason, and a self-made gentleman. He fell hard for London society and then later France, and lived in both places for years. It was interesting to learn that he was a staunch loyalist to the crown until late in life when he felt like he had been passed over for a position in England.

Over the centuries his image has been distorted by historians. He is sometimes painted as prudish, miserly, or as the all-American tradesman. Depending on what the historian decided he needed, Franklin’s legacy was warped to fit a mold. His incredible talent as an ambassador was often overlooked.

It felt like the author admired his influence, but he didn’t like him as a man. Honestly, the more I learned about his personal life the less I respected him. When he lived in England he left his wife and daughter in America, rarely writing them and skipping his daughter’s wedding. He took his illegitimate son with him, but later disowned the son when he was loyal to the country (England) that Ben Franklin had taught him to love.

BOTTOM LINE: Wood paints an honest portrait of Franklin. There are no rosy glasses with which to view his life, but he sticks to the facts and I appreciated the candid portrayal. I am in awe of how much Franklin did for our country, especially since he received little thanks for it. No man is perfect and Franklin’s impact on the founding of our Nation and the alliance that was formed with France was truly priceless.

“‘The players of our game are so many,’ he told a French correspondent. ‘Their ideas so different, their prejudices so strong and so various and their particular interests independent of the general, seeming so opposite that not a move can be made that is not contested. The numerous objections confound the understanding. The wisest must agree to some unreasonable things that reasonable ones of more consequence may be obtained and thus chance has its share in many of the determinations so that the play is more like trick track with a box of dice.’” ( )

I must say this was a tough dose of reality to read; Ben Franklin has been my favorite Founding Fathers for a while now, but I never really knew him in such a three dimensional way until now.

In modern times, the Founders are either lauded or loathed. I generally distrust the lamenting accounts of these men, and to a fault, I trust elevating biographies of our country's founders. Yet Gordon S. Wood writes a book which is flat out honest and does not power the chaff. I underlined two sentences from the book's introduction which illustrate the notion I have come to find from reading so many biographies.

The first line I think best speaks to the honest of The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin reads: "We have more than two hundred years of images imposed on Franklin that have to be peeled away before we can recover the man who existed before the Revolution." Mr Wood speaks to the cyclical pattern of biographical accounts across the centuries since Dr. Franklin's passing. First, authors were approbative over the first couple of generations post-Revolution which slowly evolved to antagonistic writings as in a counterculture vein to discredit his fixation on the monetary, but more recent, the pendulum has swung back to the laudatory, downplaying his shortcomings and misgivings.

This book appears to faithfully whisk the reader along as Franklin's star rises with his success, ingenuity, and industry. He becomes world renown for his science and philosophic works; always involved in politics, he is incrementally prepared for the world stage and falls in love with Europe. In modern times we might consider Dr. Franklin to have become wealthy enough for "early retirement" or a gentlemen. From this point he delves into international politics. This is where the book grows morose only for the reason Dr. Franklin's life becomes less cheerful as well. The best way to describe Benjamin Franklin in London is similar to the son of parents living in an abusive relationship. Franklin, working in a official capacity, continually attempts to maintain and repair relations, trying to smooth over rough patches between Continental Congress and Parliament. Like a child who witnesses abuse between his parents, he doesn't full grasp the climate of America and cannot see the detriment the Crown is causing to its relationship with its transatlantic colony. Trying to not pick sides, the child attempts to involve himself in a situation he does neither fully understand nor sees both sides, yet tries to help anyway. Minister Franklin loses the palpable pulse of America while soaking in the splendor of London and government life. As with a child of the couple who fights and threatens each other, Franklin is distrusted by Americans and later publicly berated by England's government. He will have a similar experience as he fails to understand his reputation is suffering while in France; he will be treated better by France than he was England. Unfortunately, the Americans, as Franklin writes later, will accuse him of something short of treason.

As a scientist he excelled, yet as a politician, he got by on his reputation. Like a book-smart person, who often lacks street-smarts, he greatly failed to understand (or purposely ignored out of indifference) the political implications and feelings most of the time. Mr Wood writes that, while in France, the country was crawling with spies, Dr. Franklin couldn't care less if he was involved with any because he knew personally he was above espionage; in a Pollyanna sense, he let his reputation insulate him from suspicion of being duplicitous in traitorous activity. It really didn't protect him. As the book concludes, it is very sad to realize Dr. Franklin received a less than reasonable eulogy and his legacy was shrouded in a cloud of near indifference.

As I began my review, I primarily had read books that presented Benjamin Franklin as a man who could do no wrong, mentally agile up to the day he died and shrewdly astute in politics just as he was with science. In some sense, he was knocked down a peg for me, but it simultaneously made him more human as well. He still has a great story of success in achieving what he wanted, reaching gentleman status and breaking the birthright barrier. Having labored as a printer to the chagrin of the class he emulated, he strove to become a member of the upper class, once only attainable by birthright and not merely monetary value. As his popularity waned in America he realized work was commendable, and once again championed the laborer just as much as he hailed the gentry.

The second passage I made note of speaks to this: "Consequently, despite hundreds of biographies and studies of Franklin and over three dozen volumes of papers,... we still do not fully know the man." Gordon S. Wood's book is a great start. ( )

A rock solid, brief biography of Benjamin Franklin. Wood goes through great effort to belie many of the common images of Franklin, and really show him for the shrewd statesman he was.

One of my new favorites. ( )

I have never read a biography of any of the founder fathers of the U.S.A. till I read this book by Gordon S. Wood. I’m now inspired to read more.

Gordon S. Wood sets out in his book, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, to strip away our myths of old Dr. Franklin, and create a portrait of who the man really was. He does a decent job.

Despite the fact that the author is a professor, this book is not too academic in nature. There are many references to historical figures and facts (I have to admit that I was unaware of many of them,) however someone who is not as familiar with those facts and figures will still be able to follow along and understand the story.

I did come away from this book with more knowledge of Benjamin Franklin, and I hope a more accurate idea of who he was a man. ( )

Loyalist turned patriot

Hardworking printer turned gentleman (who wasn't expected to work)

Beloved of France - Despised by Americans

But

after his death his early work ethic, his working to better himself and that success inspired many a generation of young people - this was his legacy - though he did do a lot to get our country going - which was mainly seen after his death - many years after ( )

Ben Franklin was not always the ardent patriot history has represented him to be. He loved all things European, and was loyal to Britain for longer than most people realize. This book offers an honest depiction, and tracks his eventual transformation into a proponent of independence and icon of freedom. I found the book engaging and enlightening.

Wood's riveting portrayal of the life of Benjamin Franklin is as engaging as it is sad. Franklin, who grew from a humble printer's apprentice to the hero of France, was discarded by almost every American whose freedom he helped them win. The book glosses over some of the inventing he did and focuses on the political and social aspects of his life. His experiences throughout England and France help to understand the social fabric of each landscape, and how to navigate the course back home in the new country America. A delightful book. ( )

There's nothing wrong with Wood's style (except for perhaps a heavy reliance on quotations), nothing wrong with his thesis (Franklin wasn't as simple nor as American as we like to paint him), nothing wrong with the facts (as far as I know them). And yet reading this was no gift to myself.

Perhaps it waxed too political-science for me (as one who prefers more personal history). Maybe it's my own fault for going into the book with a reasonable understanding of Franklin's biography. What I read here felt like a fleshed out version of what I already knew. And the more I learn about Franklin, the more ambivalent I feel about him. Which gave me an icky feeling. Which made the book less enjoyable yet again.

But I still don't think that this is Mr. Wood's fault. So, I suppose a travesty all around. ( )

A nice, brief and readable volume on one of America's most important and enduring figures. Due to its brevity, one should preferably approach this book with some knowledge of Franklin's life; less than 25o pages of text isn't nearly enough to give Franklin's life the attention it deserves.

The main attribute of Mr. Wood's book is the attention he gives to some lesser-studied aspects of Doctor Franklin's life. And while he clearly admires the man, Wood does not attempt to hide Franklin's shortcomings. My biggest complaint with the book is its organization, as it frequently jumps back and forth between decades, making it a chore to keep track of what events are happening and when.

I recommend this book, perhaps not as an introduction to Benjamin Franklin, but certainly to those who have a foundation and want to learn more. ( )

A wonderful book that I wouldn't have wanted to miss. I felt that I was getting to know a very real, complex and amazing man as he developed his political loyalties and identity. Wood maintained his focus on the title subject and gave me an even greater appreciation for this founding father; for his successes, distresses, and the evolution of his ideas and character. ( )

This is a pretty decent book but I just could not get into it, but that is not because of the writing. Gordon S. Wood is a good writer and historian but a bio of Benjamin Franklin is not my favorite read.

This gives a fairly brief biography of Benjamin Franklin, which for me, was good, but if you are someone who really wants to know everything about this Founding Father then you should pick up a different book.

Overall this book was good. It gave a decent amount of information and I can say I know more now about Benjamin Franklin than I did before. However, I found this book to be a little dull for my tastes but I am sure people who are more interested in the subject would enjoy this. ( )

http://gr4c5.wordpress.com/2008/01/17/americanization-of-benjamin-franklin/ ( )

- My first Gordon Wood book…however, I will eventually take on many more
- Gordon Wood reveals the BJ was much more ambition and complex than I initially believed after initially reading H.W. Brands biography on BF
- Gordon Wood gets into the mind of BF and show how BF transitions from a loyalist in support of British Crown to an American Patriot and from a businessman to a gentleman
- I believe it would be a mistake for readers to make this the first book read on BF…the 248 pages does not fully detail BF life from poor beginnings to printer, author, politician, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. After reading a complete biography on B.F (H.W. Brands book The First American is the one I read) then readers would be well served to take on this book
- I felt outrage with the way BF was ignored on his death…France immediately proclaimed a 3-day morning…in the U.S. it took over 1-year before BF was officially eulogized by the government and the individual who eulogized BJ was sarcastic and belittled BJ achievements
- Outstanding analysis on how BF legacy has increased tremendously since his death…his hero status by individuals to emulate BF life of frugality and hard work and the success of BF as a self made businessman
- Gordon Wood articulately states that BF was second in importance to George Washington in the success of the American Revolution ( )

Philadelphia is one of two American cities that Ben Franklin called home (the other being Boston, where he lived until he came to Philadelphia in his late teens). I don't know whether or not Boston embraces their Franklin connection, but Philadelphia certainly does. Much of the tourism advertising coming out of Philly features ol' Ben, and in the Old City section, where Franklin lived and worked (and where I've worked the last eleven years), it's hard to avoid the Franklin legacy. It's not unusual to even run into the man himself.

Even with all this Franklin history nearby, I still wasn't familiar his story beyond the usual grade-school-textbook profile of him: printer, writer, postmaster, inventor, and sage to our founding fathers. That's why I was interested in reading Gordon S. Wood's book, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. It promised to add the details that are often dropped from Franklin's story.

And the book does just that. Things that I didn't know, like his loyalty to the King (almost right up to 1776), his never fully being accepted into the gentry class because of his working-class origins, and his success in getting the French to repeatedly increase their funding for our war against the British. The book spends a lot of time detailing Franklin's years living in France, and a love of the French that made him consider staying there - and made many American politicians openly question his loyalty. I liked having the details of Franklin's life filled in. I now see him as a much more complex figure than just the hard-working and deep-thinking Quaker.

Unfortunately, as interesting as these new (to me) facts were, I found the book very hard to get through. I don't read many history books, but I did enjoy reading Joseph Ellis' Founding Brothers a couple years ago. I was expecting this book to hold my interest like Ellis' book did, but Wood's writing was so dry it took me forever to get through. I couldn't get myself to want to read it at lunch, in bed, or on the weekends (times when I normally do most of my reading) so all my reading was done during my fifteen-minute ride on the train to and from work. It's a shame, because the book covers interesting aspects of Franklin's life, but it really reads like a high school history book. I would recommend it only if you were really into Benjamin Franklin. ( )

Very good book.

2/16/23