Benjamin Franklin was an outstanding and interesting man. I just finished reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin for my first time. I enjoyed it very much and found it quite interesting. If anything, I wish it had been written later in Benjamin Franklin's life so that it would also include more of the impact of the Revolutionary War on his life. I couldn't help but wonder what else happened...the book ends rather abruptly.
Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, philosopher, businessman, policy negotiator, scientist, and so much more. I was endeared to him by his apparent humility. He notes in the book that pride was one of his faults, and I can see how that could be. Overall, though, despite his tremendous accomplishments, he struck me more as a person just trying to solve problems than someone trying to make a name for himself. He was instrumental in the creation of libraries, fire departments, open stove tops for heating and other uses, and helped to push the American colonies towards rebellion and ultimately to liberty and sovereignty.
Some things mentioned in the book only in passing made me want to learn more. He noted one of his greatest errors, which he partially remedied, was not moving forward with his fiancé more timely - he took time to travel to Europe for an extended period and almost dropped out of touch with her at the time. She even got married to someone else in his absence. I'd like to know more about their relationship. He also mentioned the untimely passing of a four-year-old son to small pox as one of his greatest regrets, having not gotten him inoculated. He didn't even mention the son's name, though...that must have been devastating and, though I don't want to glorify a tragedy, I am curious of how he managed to move forward in life amidst that tragedy.
The military fortification of the colonies was partially in response to attacks by natives; however, Franklin notes that they were also concerned with Spain being at war with Britain (and Spain, notably, had France's assistance in the same) with aggression from Britain. There were a couple of notable interpretations of expenditure authorization on the part of a governor with respect to this preparation. One law, for example, provisioned resources for bread, flour, wheat, and 'other grain.' The 'other grain' was interpreted to include gun powder since munitions couldn't be explicitly purchased. A similar interpretation was given to a 'fire engine' which, they reasoned, must surely include canons.
Americans are stubborn and resourceful folks.
This was a short and easy read and I enjoyed it. I recommend it for any students of history - particularly those interested in early American history.