I've always been fascinated by Benjamin Franklin since my school days. No matter which way you look at him, he was a great, smart American. I love the stories and folktales about him, his life and his wonderful words and sayings. This autobiography of his life was written by Ben Franklin when he was sixty-five. It was written in letter format to his son, and it he reminiscences about his eventful early life. Throughout we see Benjamin's powerful literary style and his great humour.
Written in a seemingly desultory manner, Franklin tells about his life from his beginnings in Boston to his contributions to science and the enlightenment. I found the first half of the book (Franklin's account of having come to the colonies as a young man, and his various trials in making his way in the world) quite fascinating. I was a little disappointed later because there was no writing about the American revolutionary war or the drafting and formation of the American Constitution or a detailed account of his discovery of Electricity -three things that Franklin is known for. However, this book does shed light on the American spirit.
If you enjoy history, this Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is still well worth a visit if only to get a first-hand look at a very colourful historical American. Franklin has a way with words, and I recommend a version that is not updated for the modern reader, as the differences in spelling and grammar lend quite a bit of charm.
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