The Modern Scholar Audiobook By Professor H.W. Brands cover art

The Modern Scholar

The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Modern Scholar

By: Professor H.W. Brands
Narrated by: H.W. Brands
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.19

Buy for $17.19

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel
Early American history is dominated by engaging and iconic figures - none more intriguing than Benjamin Franklin. Chandler, balladeer, poet, printer, writer, humorist, satirist, swimmer, businessman, inventor, philosopher, soldier, administrator, scientist, politician, ladies' man, musician, humanitarian, philanthropist - it's almost easier to list the things Franklin was not than try to explain the pursuits and interests of this multi-faceted man.

In this course, you'll study with noted historian H.W. Brands, the New York Times best-selling author of The First American, which also earned a Pulitzer Prize nomination. Brands is a scholar who truly captures the essence of Franklin and the times in which he lived. This course examines the life of Franklin and his influence on both American and world history. From his early days as a printer's apprentice to very nearly his last days, Benjamin Franklin's thirst for knowledge and his desire to share what he knew brought him to the forefront of a changing world. His contributions through inventions, scientific investigation, and political thought still echo more than 200 years after his passing. He remains the model of the American thinker - a man who was interested in nearly everything, and who pursued those interests with an admirable and contagious passion. To study Franklin's life is to learn not only the history of a single man, but to understand some of the most monumental changes in all of human history.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2003 H.W. Brands (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC Americas Colonial Period Historical History & Theory Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Professionals & Academics Science & Technology United States
Fascinating Life • Thorough Content • Engaging Narrator • Historical Context • Succinct Lecture • Excellent Delivery
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
I hadn't thought much about Benjamin Franklin since I was in high school, but I sought this out after hearing Prof. Brands lecture on a different topic. His lecturing style is so engaging I was immediately pulled in.

I thought the content was very thorough and it reminded me of the best of the Great Courses history offerings. If you like a traditional history lecture series, this can't be beat. Brands does an amazing job going over Franklin's fascinating life, but also puts it in context with the history of the time.

As Brands points out, this is the one Founding Father who we would have known about even if there were no American Revolution.

Wonderful, engaging set of lectures

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is a very good start on the life and time of Franklin; however, the listener should also read The First American by Prof. Brands.

A Good Beginning for Franklin

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
great story, great topic, wonderfully thorough. lecture is far more succinct than the book. one word remaining

lecture not an audiobook

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A very enjoyable and enlightening lecture. It provided me with a personal insight into Doctor Franklin’s life that I didn’t get by watching a documentary.
Professor Brand’s delivery was very relaxed and comfortable.
I highly recommend it.

Ben Franklin a founder of America

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, The most interesting content was delivered via lecture which I enjoyed and which facilitated remembering the details. I learned so much about BF.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Modern Scholar?

Hearing that BF was one of the two "indispensable characters" of the American Revolution and founding of our country. Also that BF was, in the author's opinion, "the great genius of our country."

What about the narrator’s performance did you like?

Loved it. I look forward to buying Professor Brands books and listening to his other lectures. He is terrific!!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I am blown away that one person could do so much. It is essential that our children learn about his life. BF embodies the American Dream, rising through his own efforts from poor beginnings to wealth and lasting greatness.

Fabulous!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I knew little about Ben Franklin other than the popular caricatures. This lecture series taught me a great deal. Lectures were substantive and articulate. First rate.

Outstanding lecture

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narrator in this course series was very engaging and did an excellent job in delivering information on Ben Franklin. He adds an enjoyable amount of personal facts.

Great Course on Ben Franklin

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it is the best history book I have ever read. It is well researched and full of information.

Great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If I'm being honest, I've listened to this lecture series about half a dozen time. It's an easy go to book when I'm in need of something entertaining without app of the plot twist of a novel. I simply have a bad memory. The professor does a great job at keeping the listeners attention and Benjamin Franklin is a fun historical figure to learn about. Love and recommend it to anyone looking to learn as they listen.

Love it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Personal view into this early American character and his views evolving toward the creation of a great nation today. What would he feel about the existence and common use of wifi in life today.

Just another Joe at this time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews