A mention of flatulence might conjure up images of bratty high school boys or lowbrow comics. But one of the most eloquent—and least expected—commentators on the subject is Benjamin Franklin. The writings in Fart Proudly reveal the rogue who lived peaceably within the philosopher and statesman. Included are "The Letter to a Royal Academy"; "On Choosing a Mistress"; "Rules on Making Oneself Disagreeable"; and other jibes. Franklin's irrepressible wit found an outlet in perpetrating hoaxes, attacking marriage and other sacred cows, and skewering the English Parliament. Reminding us of the humorous, irreverent side of this American icon, these essays endure as both hilarious satire and a timely reminder of the importance of a free press.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is truly a fun little book. It's worth having on your shelf when friends come over and peruse your collection. Without fail they'll pull this one out thinking it's nothing but potty humor. Then they see WHO?!?! Ben Franklin?!?!!? WHAT?!?!?
This very small book is a collection of the satire of Ben Franklin. Those of you looking for a good book of fart jokes will be deeply disappointed. Those looking for a good laugh will not be. Those looking to learn more about Ben Franklin will learn a great deal.
A few must-reads are "Rules on Making Oneself Disagreeable" (though farting is not mentioned), "On choosing a Mistress" (again, no farting, but it's hilarious), and the best of all "A Letter to a Royal Academy" in which Franklin makes a suggestion to a group of scientists: throw away all your abstract theory and find a way to make farts smell nice. It is the most subtle and disparaging piece I've ever read, and it rides that line between "is he SERIOUS?!?" and "is this is a joke!??!"
There are actually historically important pieces in this book, believe it or not. Don't let the title throw you. "Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced" is cutting satire from right before the American revolution. It ran in papers of the time and made an impact. "The Speech of Miss Polly Baker," about a woman having children out of wedlock, was reported as fact throughout the colonies until Franklin admitted the joke.
And finally, for those looking for good fart humor, there's "The Dream" from which the book takes its title. Read and giggle 'till you cough.
Something the book does not mention is that many of these pieces were originally published anonymously, as was the custom in the 18th century.
... Read more ›46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Fart Proudly" is a wonderfully hilarious collection of some of Franklin's satirical works. It is a brief but highly enjoyable read. Mr. Japikse's introductions provide a handy frame for many of the articles and letters of one of America's exquisite minds.
One caveat: There is a closing piece written by Mr. Japikse entitled "The Dream" in which he injects his own political agenda into Mr. Franklin's mouth. In this piece I feel he has exceeded his calling to Fart Proudly and has soiled himself leaving us with a small pile of excrement. Be careful that it doesn't stick to your shoe.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a terrific compilation of Ben's lesser known writings. Reading this, I have to say - if I could invite any one person to dinner, past, present or future, it would be Benjamin Franklin. He's smart, funny, rebellious, irreverent, and eloquent.
Every schoolteacher in every elementary school history classroom across America - or the world - should have multiple copies of this book freely available at all times. There's a reason Ben was a hero in other countries besides the states.
That said, the preface sucked. Using Ben to push your own politics? Get over it. I agree, but I dislike being told what to think.
So - definitely buy the book, definitely skip the preface, definitely laugh your musical behind off.
Every schoolteacher in every elementary school history classroom across America - or the world - should have multiple copies of this book freely available at all times. There's a reason Ben was a hero in other countries besides the states.
That said, the preface sucked. Using Ben to push your own politics? Get over it. I agree, but I dislike being told what to think.
So - definitely buy the book, definitely skip the preface, definitely laugh your musical behind off.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Fart Proudly is a collection of Ben Franklin's lesser known but most interesting writings. They cover a variety of subjects but all exhibit Franklin's questioning nature and many show a sense of humor I never guessed present in Ben. The book's title is derived from a letter he wrote to the scholars at the Royal Collages in England, whom he considered petty and constipated. Highly recommended.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have to say that I rather enjoyed reading Franklin's lesser known works/letters. At one point I was even chuckling out loud.
However the book was ruined at the end by the editor's own political agenda. He assumes to many things and discredits his own opinion about the freedom of speech (if it is true that no one is allowed to speak their mind or are afraid - how is it that you got published).
My recommendation is to rip out that section of the book and enjoy what a gifted writer and thinker has to say - Ben Franklin
However the book was ruined at the end by the editor's own political agenda. He assumes to many things and discredits his own opinion about the freedom of speech (if it is true that no one is allowed to speak their mind or are afraid - how is it that you got published).
My recommendation is to rip out that section of the book and enjoy what a gifted writer and thinker has to say - Ben Franklin
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bland history makes great men look great. Bad history makes great men look bad. This makes a great man look great being a 'bad boy' - a tasty bit of irony and accuracy.
Franklin was one of the first printers in the US - he was a material supporter of freedom of the press, and a severe critic of irresponsible press. He was a statesman and clown, when clowning made his point the best way. He was a politician, scientist, and bawd - how else to take in so much of the human condition?
This collection captures some of the contradictions that comprised Benjamin Frnaklin. Maybe it takes some of the sheen off the gold star that history dumped on him, but it adds toughness and flexibility to the steel that he showed as diplomat. Satire is a voice, and this short book shows a few octaves of his.
I have to admit that poor teachers put me quite off American history. Books like this get me reading history again. It shows Franklin the patriot and firebrand defending the mothers without husbands and deflating the learned academies of Europe. This is short but sweet, and even his choices of words show me a lot about how modern English is used.
//wiredweird
Franklin was one of the first printers in the US - he was a material supporter of freedom of the press, and a severe critic of irresponsible press. He was a statesman and clown, when clowning made his point the best way. He was a politician, scientist, and bawd - how else to take in so much of the human condition?
This collection captures some of the contradictions that comprised Benjamin Frnaklin. Maybe it takes some of the sheen off the gold star that history dumped on him, but it adds toughness and flexibility to the steel that he showed as diplomat. Satire is a voice, and this short book shows a few octaves of his.
I have to admit that poor teachers put me quite off American history. Books like this get me reading history again. It shows Franklin the patriot and firebrand defending the mothers without husbands and deflating the learned academies of Europe. This is short but sweet, and even his choices of words show me a lot about how modern English is used.
//wiredweird
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Great book to get my children into history and reading for the summer. My son laughed when he read Ben Franklin wrote about farting.
Published 26 days ago by sweekymouse
5.0 out of 5 stars
A week before open heart surgery...
This book arrived a little over a week before I had a heart valve replaced. I laughed so hard that I sent it out-of-state to my sister with STRICT orders not to return it for two... Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Hintz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who knew?
Of All the things I know about Benjamin Franklin, I never would have suspected his absolute wit! Am considering ordering copies for family and friends. Funny, funny book.
Published 4 months ago by Julie H. Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Odd Title, But Fun Read!
One of the funniest books I've read this year! Good Old Ben...what a genuine sense of humor he had. Buy It!
Published 5 months ago by Classic Movie Buff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fart Proudly
Fart Proudly: by Ben Franklin
It was a great book. My Granddaughter was reading about Ben Franklin, in history and so I ordered
Fart Proudly for her and she liked... Read more
It was a great book. My Granddaughter was reading about Ben Franklin, in history and so I ordered
Fart Proudly for her and she liked... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Linda Wierschke
5.0 out of 5 stars
for my kid
I bought this for my son who enjoy quips and whitty sayings. Skimming though it I think it he'll enjoy it but you have to remember that it is written in an older english style,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Va Farmboy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fart Proudly
I love our founding fathers I purchased this for my grandkids to see their faces light up when they saw this book, the laughs at the title was well priceless. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lisar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Benjamin Franklin - definitely NOT politically correct!
This collection of essays, songs, articles, letters and diatribes is a fantastic look at wit and intelligence of one of the key figures in American independence. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Intention
1.0 out of 5 stars
Carl Japikse needs to learn proper capitalization (or higher...
I started to read this book but was hugely distracted by Carl Japikse's need to capitalize random words in sentences. Read more
Published on April 25, 2011 by Bradley Gessler
2.0 out of 5 stars
Fart Proudly
Not a big fan of this book. There were parts of it that were very interesting. But in eneral, it got old for me very quickly.
Published on January 21, 2011 by Gregg Albright
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