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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
- Narrated by: Adrian Cronauer
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
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Editorial reviews
This expansive work follows the rich and varied life of America’s first Renaissance man, from his humble beginnings as a newspaper apprentice, to his command of a colonial militia, to his eventual audience with King George III. Renowned radio host Adrian Cronauer oversees the proceedings in his rich, fluid baritone. Having authored his own autobiography - the award-winning screenplay for Good Morning, Vietnam - Cronauer demonstrates his knack for adroit storytelling, well matched with Franklin’s manifold exploits. Over his lifetime, Franklin watches the colonies grow from wayward outposts to modern metropolises. The author’s pioneering contributions to public welfare are documented here, as Franklin funds libraries, hospitals, and infrastructure. Likewise, Franklin recalls his famous experiments with electricity and the formation, at his behest, of revolutionary militias.
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"...a landmark in world literature." (Masterpiece Library)
"Adrian Cronauer's rich voice is ideally suited to Franklin's autobiography. A skilled and smooth reader, Cronauer never intrudes on the material." (The Washington Post)
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Dr. Johnson may have been correct in saying that “Rousseau was a very bad man,” but none can argue that his ideas are among the most influential in all of world history. It was Rousseau, the father of the romantic movement, who was responsible for introducing at least two modern day thoughts that pervade academia. The Confessions is Rousseau’s landmark autobiography. Both brilliant and flawed, it is nonetheless beautifully written and remains one of the most moving human documents in all of literature.
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Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of America and had an enormous impact on America as it is today. In addition to that, there are many little-known facts about the man who is Benjamin Franklin. Unlike many of the other Founding Fathers, he started out in humble circumstances. From a young age, Benjamin Franklin fought for the rights of America at home and abroad. Yet, he bore the burdens of leadership and never shirked nor faltered in his mission. His greatest asset was his charm and friendliness, but he had his detractors as well and felt the emotional impact of that.
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William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity is the definitive biography of the English statesman who overcame incredible odds to bring about the end of slavery and slave trade. Called 'the wittiest man in England' by philosopher and novelist Madame de Stael, praised by Abraham Lincoln, and renowned for his oratorical genius, Wilberforce worked tirelessly to accomplish his goal. Whether you are an avid student of history, a pupil of prominent leaders of the past, or simply someone who reads for pleasure, you will love award-winning biographer Kevin Belmonte's vivid account....
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What listeners say about The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Heizenberg
- 03-20-05
I wish high school history was this interesting!
Simply outstanding! Never read a history book? Try this one and you'll be hooked. We need a few more Ben Franklin's today!
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5 people found this helpful
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- Larry L. Lane
- 04-04-15
Spoken in Old English Style
Would you try another book from Benjamin Franklin and/or Adrian Cronauer?
Yes, the narrator was very well spoken but I found the story to be a bit dry. I liked some of the verbiage used in the story Old World English.
What was most disappointing about Benjamin Franklin’s story?
Lacked depth other than his relationship with a few characters.
What does Adrian Cronauer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
His cadence was easy to follow, his pronunciation excellent, and his inflections made the story more interesting.
Do you think The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
Yes to fill in the gaps. Perhaps I would be more interested in a Biography instead. My first experience reading an autobiography so I am not an experienced critic.
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- John
- 01-02-12
Good, But Unfinished
Benjamin Franklin was one of the great minds that our country produced. He excelled in business, publishing, science, inventions (the lightning rod, Franklin stove, bifocals), politics and diplomacy. He also founded the first public library, the first volunteer fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania. His life in any one area would have been distinguished, but his life in totality is almost unbelievable. He was a great and prolific writer, and his straight-forward writing style is eminently readable today. Franklin not only lived a long life for his time (84 years), he began working when he was 10 and continued working until the month before his death. His autobiography is a great book, but is unfinished. It covers only about the first 50 years of his life. Although Franklin had achieved a lot by that time, there was a lot more ahead including the most important and interesting parts of his life. If you want to read a more complete treatment, I suggest Walter Isaccson's biography.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Dave
- 08-04-05
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Not really what I expected, it was somewhat interesting, but I am no history buff. I didn't really remember much about him & was interested as I hear a lot of his quotes used. The book opens you up to where the man is coming from but does little to talk about any of what most consider his major acomplishments.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Darwin8u
- 07-25-15
there will be sleeping enough in the grave
Even in death, I can't imagine Franklin resting. There is always just too much to do, too many questions to ask, too many books to read, too much to explore.
My brother recommended this book to me about 30 years ago. I'm not sure why I never read it until now. Part of it must be the feeling that Benjamin Franklin would always just be there. He wasn't going anywhere. He seems to permeate so much of what it means to be an American and our historical narrative. His autobiography, which is divided into two parts, ends in 1757. So all of the Revolutionary War Franklin and Continental Congress Franklin is obviously missing. These are his early years. It is a portrait of a polymath as a young man. It shows his curiosity, his work ethic, his creativity, his risk-taking, his bridge-building. All the things that would later be used as part of the myth-making around Franklin.
After reading this autobiography, I kinda agree with Christopher Hitchen's take about the role of Benjamin Franklin as the Socrates of his day:
"Franklin was also the main man. He was drafted onto the committee that drew up the Declaration (and may well have been the one who imposed the ringing term "self-evident," as against the more pompous "sacred and undeniable" in its crucial opening stave.) When George Washington's horse bore him into Philadelphia for the grueling meeting that would eventually evolve the United States Constitution, it was at Franklin's front door that the president necessarily made his first stop.... -
The thing about reading Franklin is you are never quite sure when he is pulling one over on the reader. His humor was dry and sharp. He could adapt the language of his foes and flail them with it. He was happy to guide and get things done, rather than glory and stay stationary. He was an American original and we are all better for his curiosity, his humor, his readiness to take risks, his ability to learn and adapt. When people talk about standing on the backs of giants, I imagine we all have climbed a bit on the back of Franklin.
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13 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Sean
- 06-19-05
Great American Lit
Franklin's Autobiography is an important work of American literature. He is witty and gives and interesting glimpse into early America. I think the reader does a fine job. I appreciate the unabridged format: great for studying.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- Michael
- 05-11-07
Good Listen
Nice to hear about the other aspects of Frankiln's life I was not aware of.
Recommended.
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- cyberdude
- 02-03-22
Ben Franklin, Life & Times
As a young boy in my early teens I first read this book.
Now in my mid-seventies it's been a wonderful experience to look back on it and refresh my memory of it and it's qualities & insights.
Arian Cronauer, the DJ for Amer. Forces Net. during the Vietnam War who inspired the 1987 film "Good Morning Vietnam" did an excellent narration of this book.
Excellent!
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- Jonathan
- 06-17-15
Fantastic and inspiring.
Loved this audiobook. Ben Franklin was a BAMF. He was such a pioneer and I think everyone can learn from him.
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- Irma
- 02-14-12
What an Amazing Man!
I knew some of the personal characteristics of Benjamin Franklin from other books, but learned much more from this book. He was truly an amazing man.
If you read no other book this month, read this one. History will come alive for you.
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