Fart Proudly: Writings of Benjamin Franklin You Never Read in School (Paperback)

by Carl Japikse (Editor) "All the conversation here at present turns upon the Balloons filled with light inflammable Air....Inflammable Air puts me in mind of a little jocular paper..." (more)
Key Phrases: Poor Richard, Poor Dick, Great Britain (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Lively and scandalous--you will probably find yourself reading passages aloud to anyone who'll listen . . ."

Product Description
A mention of flatulence might conjure 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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books (March 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583940790
• ISBN-13: 978-1583940792
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,363 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A strange perfume, March 5, 2004

By	Steven L Bareman (Holland, MI United States) - See all my reviews

"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.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The footnotes your history book skipped., December 2, 2004

By	wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

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

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wicked! , March 8, 2006

By	The Literate Wench (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

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.