Franklin: Writings (Library of America) [Hardcover]

Benjamin Franklin (Author), J. A. Leo Lemay (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Library of America | Publication Date: September 1, 1987

The most complete one-volume collection of ever published of a brilliant public figure and the most powerful writer of his time, including "The Autobiography" in a new edition based on Franklin's manuscript.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA A collection of well-known Franklin writings as well as 57 newly attributed pieces, all arranged by period and place. High-school students of American history and literature will appreciate this comprehensive collection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The Library of America has produced a witty contribution to the celebration of its own fifth anniversary and the anniversary of the United States Constitution. Included are authoritative versions of Franklin's best-known writings (e.g., The Autobiography ), as well as 57 new attributions. Also included are all prefaces and maxims from the full run of Poor Richard's Almanack , plus a generous and prudent selection of other writings, both personal and public. The material is arranged by the eras of Franklin's long life. Lemay's erudite notes, an excellent index, and the volume's acid-free paper all attest to admirable publishing standards. For most libraries. Sally Linden, Wellesley Coll. Lib., Mass .
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1632 pages
• Publisher: Library of America (September 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940450291
• ISBN-13: 978-0940450295
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( F ) > Franklin, Benjamin

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, most comprehensive introduction to Franklin, August 4, 1998

By 

R. B. Bernstein "R. B. Bernstein, Adjunct Pro... (Brooklyn, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Franklin: Writings (Library of America) (Hardcover)

Many of Benjamin Franklin's biographers follow up their treatments of his life and work with an edited collection of his writings, as if to concede that he is his own best presenter. Any reader interested in Franklin should therefore set the biographies aside for a time and turn first to this superb Library of America compilation of Franklin's writings. Spanning his life from his early humorous writings (penned at the age of 16) to letters he wrote in the last year of his life (at 84), it is the single best, because most comprehensive, introduction to Franklin.

Carl Van Doren ended his classic biography of Franklin by describing him as "a harmonious human multitude." The phrase has become shorthand for those who try to encompass Franklin's activities as printer, journalist, polemicist, political thinker, writer, economist, demographer, scientist (or "natural philosopher" in the 18th-century phrase), lobbyist, diplomat, and sage. More recent Fra! nklin scholars, such as Esmond Wright and Robert Middlekauff, concede his complexity, but doubt the harmony holding together his various interests, activities, priorities, friendships, and hostilities; they also note that Franklin's genial exterior cloaked a massive and implacable egotism and an unsuspected capacity for strong and often bitter emotion.

All these facets of Franklin emerge from this superbly-edited volume. J. A. Leo Lemay, one of the nation's leading scholars of Franklin's life and work, has produced a volume fully worthy of Franklin and the Library of America series; it will be indispensable to all future students of Benjamin Franklin, of colonial and Revolutionary America, and of the foundations of American literature, science, politics, and government. -- Richard B. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School; Daniel M. Lyons Visiting Professor in American History, Brooklyn College/CUNY (1997-1998); Book Review Editor for Constitutional Books,! H-LAW; and Senior Research Fellow, Council on Citizenship ! Education, Russell Sage College.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Modern Compilation of Franklin's Writings, March 30, 2001

By 

T. B. Vick "T.B.V." - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Franklin: Writings (Library of America) (Hardcover)

The Library of America should be commended for preserving the works of Benjamin Franklin. This is the finest compilation of Franklin's writings still in print.

The book is organized and presented in chronological order. The first section contains Franklin's writings between 1722-1726. This section contains the famous "Silence Dogood" works. The second section consists of writings between 1726-1757. This section contains the "Busy Body" pieces and the writings from the Philadelphia Gazette, amongst other works. The third section consists of writings which date between 1757-1775. The fourth section consists of writings between 1776-1785. The fifth section consists of writings between 1785-1790. And the final two sections are "Poor Richard's Almanack" and "The Autobiography."

Moreover, the sections contain personal letters between Franklin and other notable men such as David Hume, Lord Kames, John Pringle, Benjamin Rush, etc. Also, religious writings, philosophy, political writings and the like are present in this single volume. In fact, there is about 1500 pages of just Franklin's writings. Additionally, in the back of the book, there is a very detailed chronology of Franklin's life describing notable things which occurred between his birth and death.

This is a great text for those who are wanting a very detailed volume of Franklin's writings. However, it is also a great compilation for those who simply want to sit down and get a sample of the works of Franklin to find out what type of man he was, what he believed, what he taught, his sense of humor and the like.

This book has been one of the best investments that I have made in my collection of American Revolutionary (Founders) history. I highly recommend this work.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Long Overlooked, August 30, 2003

By 

Patrick Gibbons (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Franklin: Writings (Library of America) (Hardcover)

This collection of Franklin's writing display his quick mind, mathematical gifts, great sense of humor, detachment in crisis, and the razor-sharp diplomatic mind which did more than supposed for the American cause (more so than than Adams and others thought). An American genius and a true seer of note. A book to be enjoyed again and again.