Biography Franklin, Ben: Autobiography v1.1 - 20 May 07

RWood · 05-19-2007, 05:10 PM

I am not happy with this version. (Better I say it first than wait for others to say it.) While the footnotes all seem to work, the chapter titles -- with a few exceptions -- do not work. I will (hopefully) get it right and post a revised version soon. Until then here is Ben Franklin's Autobiography.

While most school children and older in the USA know who he is, some of the MobileRead readers may not. He was one of out founding Fathers and a champion for freedom of the press. As a scientist he confirmed that lightening is electricity, developed the Franklin stove (very energy saving for the day), and was the first to create bifocals (glasses that can correct distance and near vision problems at the same time.) As a business man he ran a successful newspaper in Philadelphia and published Poor Richard's Almanac. As a diplomat he helped secure the French support for our war of independence from the British. As a patriot he helped guide Thomas Jefferson in the Writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Today most people know him as the picture on the $100 bill. (The largest USA currency in circulation.)

Enjoy the book. I have only read it about 20 times since I first read it in my teens. It inspired me then and continues to inspire me to this day.

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JSWolf · 05-19-2007, 07:49 PM

Thank you very much!

Bob Russell · 05-19-2007, 08:22 PM

Thanks! This book also had quite an effect of me when I read it. It makes one think about how often we waste this short life and how much can be done if we just had more discipline and focus on the right things. I'm sure it would similarly effect me if I were to reread it.

And don't forget one of his more interesting contributions... he pushed for the creation of libraries! I don't remember if it was through private book lending clubs or if he was the first to suggest public libraries, or what, but I do seem to remember something along those lines.

HarryT · 05-20-2007, 01:29 AM

A fascinating man. I've always admired him. Thanks for posting this!

RWood · 05-20-2007, 10:30 PM

I have posted version 1.1 that fixes all items cited as wrong in version 1. I did get BookDesigner working again after removing and reinstalling it from the beginning. I still want to change the formatting of the captions under the pictures a bit but the current presentation is quite acceptable on the whole.

If you read nothing else in the book, please read Chapter "IX: Plan For Attaining Moral
Perfection" wherein he sets out the 13 virtues he wants to make a habit of following. And the rest of the book is great. As I have said, I have only read it about 20 times.

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05-19-2007, 07:49 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,561 Karma: 142993688 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Thank you very much!

05-19-2007, 08:22 PM	#3
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Thanks! This book also had quite an effect of me when I read it. It makes one think about how often we waste this short life and how much can be done if we just had more discipline and focus on the right things. I'm sure it would similarly effect me if I were to reread it. And don't forget one of his more interesting contributions... he pushed for the creation of libraries! I don't remember if it was through private book lending clubs or if he was the first to suggest public libraries, or what, but I do seem to remember something along those lines.

05-20-2007, 01:29 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	A fascinating man. I've always admired him. Thanks for posting this!

05-20-2007, 10:30 PM	#5
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	I have posted version 1.1 that fixes all items cited as wrong in version 1. I did get BookDesigner working again after removing and reinstalling it from the beginning. I still want to change the formatting of the captions under the pictures a bit but the current presentation is quite acceptable on the whole. If you read nothing else in the book, please read Chapter "IX: Plan For Attaining Moral Perfection" wherein he sets out the 13 virtues he wants to make a habit of following. And the rest of the book is great. As I have said, I have only read it about 20 times.

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