Product Description
Learn about science the same way Ben Franklin did--by performing incredible experiments!

Ben Franklin, the famous patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was also America's first great scientist. At a time when science was a mystery to most people, he performed incredible experiments that revealed amazing facts about light, heat, sound, electricity, the weather, and other aspects of the natural world.

Now the enormously popular Franklin Institute Science Museum shows you how to do your own exciting experiments Ben Franklin's way. He used common objects such as cooking oil, a glass bottle, or pieces of colored cloth to chart the Gulf Stream, predict the weather, or measure how much a molecule weighs. Using inexpensive, easy-to-find items, you'll discover how to:
* Build an optical toy shop, including a prism, kaleidoscope, telescope, and periscope
* Make a weather station with a working barometer, hygrometer, and other homemade meteorological instruments
* Create an orchestra with flutes, water chimes, maracas, and a guitar you make yourself
* Build your own printing press and print documents on paper that you make in your own paper mill
* Perform these and dozens of other experiments at home, in the classroom, or as science fair projects--and enjoy the fun of it


The Franklin Institute Science Museum was built in 1934 in Ben Franklin's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first hands-on science museum ever, it offers people a chance to learn about science by experimenting with hundreds of exhibits, including a 20-foot model of the human heart, a 350-ton steam locomotive, and a working weather station. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ben's Experiments Are Great!
This is a wonderful book if you're looking for experiments that the kids can do safely and use household objects to do them with! A few items I did have to go to the store to buy but very few. Each chapter coincided with their own Science books whether it was weather or astrology. The only disappointing thing is the fact that there were no other books to form a series. NOW that would have been wonderful!

The Ben Franklin Book of Easy and Incredible Exp
As a homeschool teacher I find this book a great tool for simple, yet effective experiments.The book contains detailed information about a variety of science subjects, including:weather, electricity, light and sight, paper and printing, etc. ... Read more

Product Description
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
-Benjamin Franklin

Originally published in 1758, Benjamin Franklin's The Way to Wealth gave our country a financial philosophy that has made millions of people wealthy, prosperous and successful. Updated for today's modern economy, Franklin's time-tested secrets to wealth and success are more important to know today than at any time in our history. A wealthy gentleman named Mr. Abraham will be your guide as you learn the secrets to prosperity, success, and financial security.

This special edition contains BOTH the original edition and the new, modern edition updated and revised for today's economy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Benjamin Franklin's The Way to Wealth
Common sense, good advice for any age.Young people would benefit from reading it and I will present it to my grandson on his 20th birthday.

A Powerful Little Book
Jack Vincent has taken Benjamin Franklin's tiny little book, published in 1758, in a number of different languages with millions of copies sold, and turned it into a book that in our modern world, over 250 years later, is just as powerful and relevant to us today.Jack has retained all of the structure and integrity of the book but placed it into today's surroundings in such a seamless fashion that it is only upon reflection that it becomes obvious how it has been adjusted to make sense today. Thank you Jack for making this work so accessible for us today, for it is the wisdom embedded within the book that is important, rather than our getting hung up on the differences between how we use language today rather than how it was used in the past. There is much of value in this tiny book, so my suggestion is to keep it by your bed and read it daily.

This book is a winner
This book is a"winner".It's advice is practical for all ages.After reading the book myself, I bought one for each of my kids to teach them how to manage their finances and gain wealth. In my opinion this book should be required reading for all high school students. Get it,you won't be sorry!

Exactly What I Needed to Hear!!
This rewrite of Benjamin Franklin's how-to get rich book is perfect especially in today's recession economy.

Solid Advice
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3ABFCIW2ZQMXO ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Recommended for research and/or undergarduate studies of BF's background philosophy
I bought this book for a friend. But I truly recommended it more for research and/or undergraduate analysis of Benjamin Franklin's intellectual background philosophy. The book has several in depth examples of his intellectual "cousins" so to say with whom Benjamin Franklin conversed in America, England, and France during the "Age of Enlightenment". Abolitionists - Anthony Benezet of Philadelphia and Granville Sharp of London; British scientists and dissenters of the crown, Joseph Priestly and Richard Price, each of whom challenged Franklin to better understand church and state separation issues; the French Enlightenment genius, Marquis de Condorcet who authored "Historical Picture of the Progress of the Human Mind" and was probably the "greatest French political conceptual thinker and observer; as well as Jean-Paul Marat and Franz Anton Mesmer, each of whom Franklin eventually rejected. This book has a solid perspective of Franklin and defines his American, English, and French contemporaries in a way that shows how those contacts had an interesting influence on the man's (BF) greatest political transformation.

Vivid Portraits of Franklin's Friends and Influences
The fresh approach of this fine series of short biographies of Benjamin Franklin's international collection of friends and influences is an excellent supplement for anyone who has read a book about Franklin and wants a wider point of view. Last year I read Walter Isaacson's bestselling book on Franklin, but realized that the great man didn't exist in a vacuum and I wanted to read more about some of the diverse circle of great minds around the world who helped shape Franklin's genius. This book provided exactly what I wanted.

A time when politicians were honorable
This book was one of the most intriguing, intellectually stimulating, and inspiring that I've ever read.Prof. Fruchtman weaves his profound knowledge of history with entertaining stories, historical facts, and details.The result is a genuine page-turner.

You will read this book amazed at how selfless and societal-thinking the great men and women of the 18th century were.They were true visionaries, and it is a way of thinking that we all must try and return to. ... Read more

Product Description

Take a close-up look at Benjamin Franklin, a jack-of-all-trades who served his country well. Interviews with experts and lively writing deliver the accurate reporting you expect from TIME For Kids®. Historical reproductions and contemporary photographs capture the life of this ingenious man and show how he made life better and safer for Americans today.

Customer Reviews (4)

find another resource
Although the description says this book is for 9-12 year olds, I would put it more at a 3rd grade reading level with large print and simple sentences.My 12 year old would be offended if I assigned her this book.Although it does present good information, I'm annoyed that the author devoted space to telling us how Franklin fathered a child out of wedlock, and then shacked up with another woman and had a few more children (the woman's husband had left her and she didn't know where he was so she couldn't legally get a divorce, so she couldn't marry Franklin).Is that really necessary to include in a book that only has room for the most important parts of his life-a book which is aimed at 3rd and 4th graders?There are better resources.I like Poor Richard by Dougherty.Although that book isn't one that 3rd graders could read, it's an excellent read aloud.

nice book
I am very pleased with this biography series.I found the information to be in a format that is very usable for young people.There is a lot of good information, in a nice format, at a good price.

Great!
Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents is well written and easy to read. The book quickly covers many of the important events from Franklin's life. The artwork is relevant and colorful. This book will make a great addition to any family's or school's history library!

Ben
Ben Franklin was a very talented man. His inventions were great!I think everyone should read this book.It has great information and illustrations too.All kids can learn a great deal from this most accurate information of Benjamin Franklin's greatest accomplishments. ... Read more

Product Description
Printer, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, scientist, librarian, diplomat, inventor, philosopher, self-aggrandizer, and social wag, Benjamin Franklin is one of the most fascinating characters in all of American history - a quality that was not lost on the man himself, as his autobiography makes plain.

Avoiding the strife of the American Revolution entirely, Franklin focuses his incisive wit on the culture and society of colonial Philadelphia, weaving a mostly true mythology of humble origins and hard work that created the concepts of "The American Dream" and "the self-made man."

Originally published in French in 1791, and translated into English and published in London in 1793, this is considered the great autobiography of life in colonial America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Awesome book
I bought this book because I checked it out from the library and liked it so much that I wanted a copy for my library. Excellent book. Ben Franklin was truly a amazing man. Even if you aren't interested in business like me, this book has so many lessons to be learned relating to all aspects of life that it is well worth it. I really think it is well written and I like the brief introductions that are given at the start of each chapter. Well organized too. ... Read more

Product Description
Statesman, scientist, entrepreneur, inventor . . . Benjamin Franklin is synonymous with American ingenuity and achievement. It's no coincidence that his face is on the hundred dollar bill. In "The Way to Wealth," Franklin reveals--through his wise and witty sayings--the fundamental principles for a prosperous life. Originally published in the 1757 Poor Richard's Almanac, this work was America's first financial advice book. Widely read throughout the Colonies, Franklin's wisdom guided our nation during the Founding era--and it is just as relevant today. This beautifully-designed volume also includes Franklin's other writings on success, "Advice to a Young Worker" and "The Path of Virtue." Visit www.bestsuccessbooks.net to view our other new, inexpensive editions of the greatest success books of all time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Just Be Tight Wad and Wear Old Garments.
There is not much to the book.

Don't go into debt.
Work Everyday.
Save your money.
Stay away from the Jones.

O yea when you need a new jacket...wait another year to buy it.

15 minute read I wish I had save the 3 dollars the book cost.

Not the actualbook
The book was actually not the one I wanted. It is the same title from the same author but did not contain the material that was supposed to be the book content.

Good Advice; Hardly a Book worthy of Ben Franklin

Had brevity been among Franklin's chief virtues, he would have indubitably been pleased with this work.The Way to Wealth accounts for approximately fifteen minutes of reading from cover to cover.Franklin's celebrated wisdom shall never diminish, yet this book merely accounts for a tiny element of Franklin's true sentiment.

Among the good points, Franklin illustrates the amusement found in those who complain of the hindrance of taxes when idleness takes a far bigger piece of productivity.He stresses the importance of controlling your vices, watching expenses, and avoiding all forms of personal debt.

As this was merely a segment from one of Franklin's Almanacs, it was clearly never intended as a full book.I recommend passing on this and seeking out some of the superior books on Franklin's principles such as "Benjamin Franklin's: The Art of Virtue" which covers significantly more thoughts from Franklin including the entirety of this book.

Short but Powerful.
This book is a short story that gives you numerous practical tidbits that lead you to wealth. I really liked the presentation style and enjoyed reading this book. My only complaint was the length, I wish it was longer. The book was done before I realized it.

Great Gift for Anyone Going Into Business
Note: Amazon has grouped together reviews of several different editions of this book; this review is for The Way to Wealth (Little Books of Wisdom).

This essay, arguably the first American business book, was first published in 1758 as the preface to that year's edition of "Poor Richard's Almanack", compiling a quarter century's worth of Franklin's adages and advice that had been scattered throughout the previous editions.

As Benjamin Franklin later put it: "And observing that it was generally read, (scarce any neighborhood in the province being without it,) I considered it as a proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who bought Scarcely any other books. I therefore filled all the little spaces, that occurred between the remarkable days in the Calendar, with proverbial sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality, as the means of procuring wealth, and thereby securing virtue; it being more difficult for a man in want to act always honestly, as (to use here one of those proverbs) It is hard for an empty sack to stand upright."

Though over a quarter of a millennium old, these most famous of Franklin's quotes have stood the test of time and are as relevant today as they ever were.Framed in the form of a speech by the fictitious "father Abraham" given in response to a solicitation of his advice regarding the then bad economic times and heavy taxes, it amounts to a rebuke of them for their own actions that are worse than the taxes they are complaining about: "We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly."The remainder is arranged topically into four different sections.

The first is herein referred to as "Industry" i.e. hard work, the opposite of laziness.In today's entertainment filled world this is a harder sell than ever, but every bit as necessary.Of course this doesn't mean work yourself to death in a life of never ending drudgery, but it does mean to be aware of all these little time wasters and to ration them carefully.

The second is herein referred to as "Care" i.e. mind your own business, literally.This is arguably the toughest sell of all in today's widely flung enterprises too vast for any one person to personally oversee, but the concept still has merit.You are still your own most trusted employee, the one you should turn to when the situation demands.The problem with micromanaging is usually not the micromanaging itself, but rather the micromanaging of the unimportant while the more important gets delegated or ignored.President Carter famously micromanaged usage of the White House tennis courts while his economic and foreign policies went to Hell in a hand basket.

The third is herein referred to as "Frugality" i.e. mind your spending, and not surprisingly takes up the most space.This is the easiest sell but the hardest to put into practice.Of course this doesn't mean to never spend a penny on yourself but rather to carefully monitor that spending.If certain expenditures are absolutely essential to your happiness and wellbeing, that's perfectly fine, but you should then be all the more willing to ruthlessly root out the nonessential expenditures.

The last is herein referred to as "Knowledge" i.e. learn something from all of this.Good advice not applied is useless.

It makes for interesting comparison and contrast with B. C. Forbes' more recent collection of business maxims available from the same publisher: Teamwork, Stick-To-Itiveness, Opportunity, & You.

Note: Some reviewers have complained that this book is available online for free.Well, yes, what part of in the public domain do you not understand?However, trying to get away with giving someone a printout as a gift will earn you the nickname of cheapskate.If all you want to do is read it yourself, then by all means stick to the free sites.However, if you are looking for a way to get through to someone else, you are better off buying a copy, and a solitary sawbuck for this sturdy pocket-sized reprint is going to be tough to beat.The chief virtue of it being online is your ability to read it first and make sure that this is the book you want to give before ordering it.

Note: Applewood Books has produced a nice looking inexpensive series of sturdy pocket-sized reprints of important American books, documents, speeches, pamphlets, and poems, the Little Books of Wisdom, uniform with this volume, that are ideal for gifting to doctors, lawyers, teachers, business professionals, and students of same: George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, The Constitution of the United States of America, On the Art of Teaching, The Poems of Abraham Lincoln, The Strenuous Life, The Bill of Rights with Writings That Formed Its Foundation, The Path of the Law, The Constitution of the Confederate States of America, The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, A Message to Garcia, A Declaration of Sentiments, Robert's Rules of Order, Good Citizenship, On Being Human, A Discourse Upon the Duties of a Physician, The Declaration of Independence with Short Biographies of Its Signers, The Wants of Man, George Washington's Farewell Address, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Speech of Chief Seattle, Common Sense, The Articles of Confederation, The Emancipation Proclamation, and The Gospel of Wealth.

Some selected volumes are also available in boxed sets: Books of American Wisdom Boxed Set, CEO's Gift Box of Wisdom, Doctor's Gift Box of Wisdom, Lawyer's Gift Box of Wisdom, New Citizen's Gift Box of Wisdom, and Teacher's Gift Box of Wisdom.

And some have been published in Spanish: Un Mensaje a Garcia and Constitucion de Los Estados Unidos. ... Read more

Product Description
Pursuant to your lordships order of the 25th May 1770, we have taken into our consideration the humble memorial of the honourable Thomas Walpole, Benjamin Franklin, John Sargent, and Samuel Wharton, Esquires, in behalf of themselves and their associates, setting forth (among other things) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

very inspiring
This book is basically a collection of quotes that Ben either said or used, and I find most of them to be very inspiring for every day life purposes. Some are even funny while being serious. I think it's a great book to have, especially if you're a fan of either Ben Franklin or just great quotes.

Love Old Ben
I'm a nut for Ben franklin and this book did not disappoint. I've read lots of stuff on him and I'd rank this as among the best. Of course many of the quotes I was familiar with, but they were still presented in fine form.

If you like Franklin's wit and whimsy, this book is a keeper. ... Read more

Product Description
The true story of Ben Franklin, as told by his closest friend and advisor, Amos the mouse. According to Amos, it was really he who was responsible for Ben Franklin's inventions and discoveries. Written and illustrated with great wit and charm.Amazon.com Review
In A New and Astonishing Life Of Benjamin Franklin AsWritten by His Good Mouse AMOS, young readers will discover thatwhile the good Mr. Franklin got considerable credit, many of his mostimportant contributions really originated with Amos, aless-than-humble rodent. Oh sure, his manuscript was found byauthor-editor Robert Lawson and published first in 1939, butdiscerning readers ever since have figured that it's the mouse who'sthe fellow with the ... tale. (For ages 10 and up with a sense ofhumor) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

A Kid's Review (Yeah, It sounds pretty lame)
I'm reading this book for school.I think it's a little bit dumb because it's basically saying that Ben Franklin was a big-nosed moron who's obsessions were beautiful French ladies and electricity.I think it makes more sense to read this for language arts than for social studies, since it is less factual.I find the side effect is that whenever I read about Ben in some other context (not this book) I think, well, naturally he's not as big a genius as this says because obviously his mouse invented that.But of course, that never happened.This whole book is pure poppycock.It's cute, and I understand that it's imaginative, but it just doesn't make sense that Ben was not at all shocked that this scrawny little mouse comes up to him and talks.The fact that is was written from the mouse's point of view was interesting because it was negative.That makes it more interesting.That's why you are reading my review now.You almost never read 5 star reviews.It's always one star, once your done with all those two star, and so forth.See?And all though the mouse was very intelligent and inquisitive and I liked his train of thought, it was boring and poorly written.Well, not poorly, but think about all the great and fascinating things you could write from a mouses point of view.Why this?Although, I would like to give credit that it DOES talk about fact and history, and it is relatively educational, and more interesting than reading straight out of the social studies book.So, don't get me wrong, I LOVE creative writing and fantasy and all that, I just wish this book were better written and made more sense.

Don't bother reading
It was a complete waste of time reading this book.

I found it to be totally unimaginative and poorly written.

There are much better children's books about Ben Franklin out there.

Save your money and time.

Wonderful Story!
I read this to my first and third grader.I planned to read a couple of chapters a day, but they had me reading several.It has fifteen chapters and a large font size that would be very friendly to a child just starting chapter books.

As far as the story itself, it is charming.We'd been studying Ben Franklin and this was a great story to add to the mix.It also generated lots of discussion as to what was true and what was fiction in the book.My son volunteered to read another Ben Franklin biography to help sort it out.

And, of course, after reading it, they enjoyed the Walt Disney mini-version, but agreed that the book was much better because the cartoon had left so much out.

If you'd like a very readable, but not dumbed-down, children's book, buy it.You won't be dissapointed.

Good Book
Ben and Me is a good book for the beginning reader.It also goes into some of the achievements of Ben Franklin. The humor in this book would delight all readers.

Not really history
Ben and me is written in first person as though written by a mouse named Amos, who claims to have been the guiding influence or intelligence behind each of Benjamin Franklin's inventions. If that had been true, I'm sure old Ben would have built an awesome mousetrap and eliminated the pest.

Robert Lawson is a good writer, and I have thoroughly enjoyed some of his books. This book, though, has a main character that I just found annoying. I would have tossed that mouse overboard, if I'd been Ben Franklin.

Would a 3rd or 4th grader read this? They might try. I don't know if any of them would finish it. Give them The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary instead. ... Read more

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Focuses on Franklin's creative ideas and inventions while also referring to his accomplishments as a writer, publisher, government official, and patriot. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Middle School Science Wizard
I purchased this book for Hanukkah for my 12 year old grandson. He is a science lover and adores experimenting. The book incorporates English usage as well as history so it is a multi-learning experience. That's always good. I think other than for buying supplies and being on hand, these are experiments that he can do by himself.
I'll need to do another review after he works with the book.

Ben Franklin Rules!!!
Being a teacher of gifted and high achieving students, I'm always on the look out for ways to tie Social Studies and Science together.My class loves hands-on projects, so I thought this might be a good fit for us.Boy, was I right!The projects are easy to follow, the steps and supplies are well planned, and most importantly, the kids LOVED the projects.Wave bottles were a major hit, and we'll be making Bubble Bath next.

The historic details about Ben's life were not only great additions to the descriptions of his inventions, but there were lots of quirky details about him that my kids loved (although they're going to skip the air baths!).

I'll definitely pick up more of Ms. Van Vleet's project-based books to use with my class!

REDISCOVER BEN!
Ben Franklin's creativity and ingenuity has always amazed me.His fingerprints are all over American history.He was a statesman, an inventor, an author, and a scientist.Now we can get to know Ben and recreate some of his greatest triumphs with Amazing Ben Franklin Inventions You Can Build Yourself.

The inventions are either replicas of actual Ben inventions or they represent a concept of an invention or contribution.The projects range from making a Feather Pen (five minutes) to making a Long Arm for objects out of reach (35 minutes plus drying time for glue).Projects which require adult supervision are clearly marked.Other projects include a Solar-Powered Oven and a Street Light (powered by a flashlight).

As creative and entertaining as the projects are, this is more than a classroom project book.Ben's personality shines through, whether he's powering himself across a pond with kite power at age ten, or proposing as an adult that the streets of Philadelphia be paved with bricks to ease travel and keep the city cleaner.The author includes a glossary, a timeline of Ben's life, and dozens of his Poor Richard sayings.The book is a pleasure to read, thanks to Van Vleet's lively writing and her careful research.Bonus--some Almanac-style fonts and many pictures.

So whether you want to get crafty or whether you just want to rediscover Ben Franklin, Amazing Ben Franklin Inventions You Can Build Yourself is an excellent choice. ... Read more

Product Description
Benjamin Franklin Morris' monumental work on the Christian roots of America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Not a quick read
If you are looking for a quick read and light entertainment, find another book. If you are looking for reference material and incredible amounts of data on the religious background of the founders and signers of the Declaration of Independence, here it is.

I have always enjoyed delving through pages loaded with many infomational, enlightening and entertaining tidbits, but this book has such rich content that it is impossible to skim off the cream. This is a book that requires concentration, and pays off with information.

Highly recommended. Every Christian Pastor should have this book in his library.

We ARE a CHRISTIAN nation!
It's important for us to remember that our foundations are as a Christian nation.The beauty of this book explains how and why we are.There is information in this book that has either been edited or deleted in most history books over the past 40 years.

The liberals don't want the information in this book to get out.Anyone found with this book should expect or be mocked or ridiculed for reading such "trash."The thing of it all is, it puts history back in perspective and reveals what has been going on with our country since the late 1800's.Yes, as early as that CHANGES were taking place that have brought us to this point.When you read this book you will see for yourself how it has been happening.

I do not say what has been happening is a "CONSPIRACY."But what has been happening has a long history and has been progressive.As time has gone on the people have gotten louder and stronger.This book will open your eyes and understanding to what is going on.

Delivery Disappointment
My package tracking still says it will be delivered today.It is now 7:40pm and no package!This is not Amazon's fault but they need to register a complaint with UPS!I really don't think my book(s) will arrive today.

This is a MUST READ & BUY!
In plain terms.....Buy it, Share it, and Distribute it! Nothing explains the foundation of America more clearly, specifically and truthfully. America's survival as a sovereign free nation depends on knowledge from this book entering every household, school and library in the United States. This is THE book that brings the ACLU (american criminal liberties union), left-wing anarchists/atheists, United Nations, Socialists, Communists, and Marxists to a screeching halt.
Save YOUR LIBERTY/FREEDOM and your country. Time is running out, just look at Congress and the White House.

If you're a staunch atheist or are affiliated with the ACLU you're not going to like this book AT ALL.
An outstanding read that sheds the light of truth upon the lies & propaganda being pushed upon young Americans. Read it and share it with your loved ones.

Benjamin Franklin Morris' book has been out of print for over 100 years. "This volume is committed to the American people, in the firm assurance that the invaluable facts which it records will be grateful to every patriotic and pious heart. In it, as from the richest mines, has been brought out the pure gold of our history. Its treasures have been gathered and placed in this casket for the instruction and benefit of the present and future. We have a noble historic life; for our ancestors were the worthies of the world. We have a noble nation, full of the evidences of the moulding presence of Christian truth, and of the power and goodness of Divine wisdom in rearing up a Christian republic for all time. That this was the spirit and aim of the early founders of our institutions, the facts in this volume fully testify."
-- Benjamin Franklin Morris

Organizations like the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State have done their best to ignore the content of the massive compilation of original source material found in this book. If Americans ever become aware of the facts assembled by the author in this historic encyclopedia of knowledge, arguments for a secular founding of America will turn to dust.

Reprinted by American Vision for the first time in over 140 years in 2007, we can't keep this book in print!

It is already in it's eighth printing, again in a beautiful high-quality smythe-sewn hardback version with an updated cover and several formatting improvements.

Don't miss out on the fantastic wealth of information this 1000+ page book has in store. Your children and grandchildren are not being taught the truth of history in public school, and this book will correct that travesty!

Christian Life and Character could very well be responsible for the rediscovering of the truth of America's foundation in Christianity." Excerpt from [...] ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

The Tragedy of the American Empire

The chances are that when the reader picks up to read this tiny book,he will wonder or be in doubt whether it is possible to write about such an enormous subject concerning the theory and practice of American Imperialism in less than 250 pages of text.However, this impression will soon evaporate.
Richard Immerman's new book is one of those few that can present an argument in a very concise and precise way.In his introduction,the author explains that his purpose"is not to judge the American empire in terms of good or bad....Rather, it seeks to persuade the reader that America is and always has been an empire"(p.4)By picking up six different individuals who influenced U.S behaviour in a variety of ways,the book shows the "trajectory of the rising American Empire from its inception to the present,analyzing waht the phrase means and how the meaning has evolved".
It was Thomas Jefferson who famously labeled the United States the "Empire of Liberty".What the meaning of "liberty" entails is even more difficult to define than "empire".Broadly speaking,Immmerman's view is that by building an empire the United States has frequently done evil in the name of good.In the times of George Washington the empire was responsible for the expansion and security of a large expanse of territory that inluded many peoples of diverse races and nationalities.In the nineteeth century, the meaning of empire changed;after 1850,white Americans,blacks,Native Americans,Mexican Americans and others challenged the central governmen's authority to deny them self-rule.The empire that America created in the twentieth century was the most powerful empire in world history.Its rival Soviet empire,and the antecedent British one,pale in comparison.Its global leadership,the technological innovations,the manufacturing gross domestic product far eclipse all competitors.The military superiority and its growth,the commercial muscle and the world organizations the US helped to establish provided potent mechanisms for global management.
Benjamin Franklin is the first individual to begin the list of individuals who shaped Amerian imperialism.Franklin was "the foremost believer in an expanding American empire" and the one who consciously articulated the "first conscious comprehensive formulation of 'Manifest Destiny', and he personified the link between the American and British empires expressed in the reciprocal principles which allowed the empire to function properly.
John Quincy Adamn follows.This Secretary of State was the one who insisted that America had to be an empire of,and not for,liberty.He turned his back on what he judged to be an empire of slavery and he also pronounced himself against the notion that Americans must go abroad in order to destroy various monsters.Adams identified slavery as an "evil that perverted human reason and tainted the very sources of moral principle";he wanted it banned everywhere and hoped,for the sake of Union,that the Peculiar Institution would die a natural death.He was a firm believer in George Washington's caution against international political entanglements,although we are told that Adams was far from being an isolationist.America's purpose was to cement liberty within the United States.Thus,the priciples he advocated became the famous Monroe Doctrine.Adams did not hesitate to condem and indict Anrew Jackson for the extermination of Indians whom " we have been driving like swine into a pen west of the Mississippi".He was the most resolute and celebrated opponent of the Mexican War waged byPresident Folk.One of his disciples was William Henry Seward,who strongly believed the United States could exercise political control of foreign territories without bearing the costs of establishing colonies.He proposed to negotiate reciprocal treaties,acquire scattered startegic outposts across the Pacific and purchase Alaska in order to facilitate the Chienese market.
The next in line is Henry Cabot Lodge,who accepted Webster's dictum:"Liberty and Union now and forever".He was responsible for supporting an aggressive policy exercised by Mckinley and Roosevelt in the 1890s and the first decade of the twentieth century.Lodge believed that US imperialists were agents of international reform and did not care very much about the anti-imperialists like Mark Twain,the industrialist and magnate Andrew Carnegie or the Democratic presidential aspirant William B.Bryant,even when the horrible nes about the crimes in the Philippines reached the American public.Lodge's arguments rested on racial premises and he did not believe in the equality of races.It came as no surprise to anyone that Lodge also strongly supported s a policy of restricting immigration in the name of keeping America's racial purity. He bitterly resented Wilson's ideals and ideas as well as the famous Fourteen Points which formed the foundation of the peacemaking process after WW1.John Foster Dulles combined Wilson's crusading moralism with Lodge's faith in force and wrote a damning indictment of the traditional European empires.He was agaisnt America's colonialism and was a Cold War zealot who regarded the USSR as the Evil Empire or,to put it in his words, "the empire against liberty".
The last chapter is about Paul Wolfowitz,who extended the Manichean view perpetuated by the Bush administration.Wolfowitz is,rightly in my view regarded as the "Ugly American",who had influenced the Bush policy makers into adopting a policy of lying,cheating and truth-twisting-a thing for which the American people are still paying the price these very days.
This book is a brilliant synthesis and analysis of the ways the American conceptions of empire came to fruition and the way this empire is going these
days.It is a provocative and riveting book that should be read by anyone who wants to learn about the American foreign policy and its tragedies.

The whole of the American Empire in six brief biographies
"Empire for Liberty" is on the ROROTOKO list of cutting-edge intellectual nonfiction. Professor Immerman's book interview ran here as the cover feature on April 28, 2010.
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Product Description
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, originally named the Delaware River Bridge, was constructed to connect the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden, New Jersey. For a time after its opening on July 1, 1926, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 1,750 feet. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge contains many rarely seen images of the bridgeÂ’s planning and construction, the individuals who helped make the concept of the bridge a reality, and the workers who built it. The bridge has undergone many changes in the decades since its opening, and these vintage photographs trace its evolution, illustrating the bridgeÂ’s endurance as a symbol of the Philadelphia-Camden metropolitan area. ... Read more

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First printed in 1758, The Way to Wealth is one of the most practical books on money management ever published. This special edition also includes "The Art of Making Money Plenty," "Advice to a Young Tradesman," "Rulers Proper to Be Observed in Trade," "The Art of Virtue," and "Poor Richard's Quotations on Wealth and Character"-all of Franklin's most important financial advice in a single volume. Newly designed and typeset for easy reading by Boomer Books. ... Read more

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Before the world understood that lightning was electricity, Ben Franklin set out during an electrical storm with a kite and a length of wire. At the time of this experiment, Franklin was unaware that his theories about electricity had made him a celebrity all over Europe, esp. in France. Admired by the French court and beloved by French citizens, Franklin effectively became America s first foreign diplomat. A father of the Revolution and a signer of the Constitution, Franklin was a lightning rod in political circles -- a dangerous Engine, according to a critic. And though he devoted the last 25 years of his life to affairs of state, his first love was always science. This is the story of adventure, of one man s curiosity and the extraordinary rewards of his discoveries. Illus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Terrific read for "children" of all ages
I'm one of the "children 10 and up" (I'm 70, actually) who thoroughly enjoyed this perfectly rounded biography of perhaps the most fascinating American ever.The author captures not just Franklin the statesman, the scientist, the family man, the unique personality, but also the interplay of Revolutionary-era political figures--American, British, and French (who played a surprisingly bigger role than I'd ever known)--that led to the successful founding of our nation.

For anyone who enjoys biography but not 800 excruciatingly detailed pages of it, this book will delight: all the important facts, overlaid with colorful personal descriptions that bring the characters to life, all pulled together with style and an occasional bit of tongue in cheek. The charming illustrations merit a mention, too, as they match the style of the text and add to the reader's pleasure.

My library stocks this book in the Teen section. It strikes me as more of a preteen book, perhaps to be shared by child and parent as a springboard to discussing interests the child might want to pursue.Franklin's life proves that there are always opportunities for those willing to seek and work for them. We're never too young--or too old--to explore a new path.

Giving Franklin's life a Dash of color
There are certain historical figures with whom I wouldn't mind being pals with.I always thought that Teddy Roosevelt would be a great buddy.Ditto (and don't ask me why I think this) Abe Lincoln.But let's go even farther back in time.Who's the Founding Father you'd love to shoot the breeze with?The guy who could hold his end of a conversation but still have time to found a nation?Not Washington.He had his points but charm and wit were not amongst them.Maybe Sam Adams, though you'd have to figure out whether you liked him better drunk or sober.Nope, I'm thinking of one feller and one feller alone.Ben Franklin.Everyone loves Ben Franklin.And of course, aside from helping birth our little nation, Ben was a diplomat and scientist extraordinaire.I would daresay that aside from Rosa Parks, Harry Houdini, and Helen Keller, children's biographies of Mr. Franklin are among the most prolific.Now we've a new take on Ben's life in, "A Dangerous Engine" by Joan Dash.Definitely intended for those scientifically and politically minded children (in short, kids like Benjamin Franklin himself), the book is not really going to go over too well with large swaths of the child reader population.It's an in-depth story that fills a definite gap in children's libraries everywhere but it's written for one in ten children, at least.For some kids this will be dull stuff.For others, it's a beautifully penned, insightful, meticulously researched and truly informative treatise on everything from "Where does electricity really come from?" to "Did John Adams really have it in for Ben?".

Born, as we all know, in Boston in 1706, Ben Franklin was his family's fifteenth child and last boy.He went into printing with his brother, then took off to find his fortune when he was in his late teens.In his life he wed, created a newspaper, performed experiments, became a diplomat for America, and died.Sounds simple, yes?But the life he led was a complex and remarkable thing.Dash explains Franklin's early scientific discoveries, during the course of which she is able to basically explain how our ancestors began to play with and discover electricity.We see Franklin's family members and how his relationship with others changed over the years.We see him in England for at least a decade and then in France where he was loved and adored.We see his flaws, his successes, his triumphs, and his shattered pride.In-depth, extensive, and engaging, Dash has given us one of the more amazing biographies of this great man and required reading for anyone truly interested in his life.

As I mentioned before, this is not a book for every child.I admit that my supremely unscientific mind would waver, swoop, and wander about when the discussions of electricity got too technical.Dash is simplifying everything as well as she possibly can, of course.In the book's excellent Bibliography she writes of discovering a rare book entitled, "Ben Franklin's Experiments, A new Edition of Franklin's Experiments and Observations on Electricity" by I. Bernard Cohen.Cohen's book contains an introduction that was intended to, "make Franklin's experiments, and eighteenth-century electricity in general, understandable to nontechnical people, a group I belong to". I was a little surprised to hear this as I found myself repeatedly rereading the sections of this book pertaining to electricity.Obviously, older child readers of the scientific persuasion are going to have an easier time with this than myself.Still, I suspect that for a large swath of the young `un population, this book will bog down in the experiment sections, then pick up again when it returns to Ben's life.

And what a life it was!Illegitimate children cropping up not only from Ben but from his own illegitimate children as well.His persnickety intentions towards controlling his family members.His multiple feuds, fights (though he was a passive fellow), and methods.There were lots of facts about Franklin I never knew and learned from this book.Seemingly at odds with his personality in some ways was the fact that he never patented any of his inventions.I also never knew he invented a brand new instrument called the armonica (try Googling it for fun).Most impressively, Dash is able to tie in Franklin's continuing influence today.She at one point mentions a federal interagency group that came to the conclusion, "That Franklin, or conventional, lightning protection systems ... are highly effective in preventing lightning damage".

For the most part, "A Dangerous Engine" is split into two parts.One looks at Franklin's scientific life.The other, his diplomatic life.On the diplomatic side we see Franklin playing the French off their fears that America would join once more with England unless they received more aid.It is also necessary to note that the book, for the most part, doesn't downplay Franklin's many faults.On slavery the man was less than holy.Says the book, "Franklin took a cool and slightly scornful attitude toward the institution of slavery; the slaves themselves, he said, were lazy and unreliable".And, of course, he owned two.Later he would join with the abolitionists, "not on humanitarian grounds but because it made white people lazy and proud".

In terms of research, this book exceeds any and all expectations.The Bibliography, as I have mentioned, is superb.Better still are the Source Notes. Dash even takes time to mention that, "Readers will notice that some quotations retain the eighteenth-century spelling and punctuation, while others have been modernized.This is because I have followed the style used by my sources".Does she cover her bases or what?

If I were to try and find a companion for "A Dangerous Engine", the book I would pair this title with would have to be the recent and remarkable "The Real Revolution: The Global Story of American Independence" by Marc Aronson.Both titles are different takes on figures from the American Revolution, to say nothing of the Revolution itself.In Dash's case, she is helped in no small part by the obscure book on Franklin's experiments found while she was browsing the Physics Library at the University of Washington.Should you know of a scientifically minded youth with a penchant for history (and they do exist) hand over "A Dangerous Engine" forthwith.Charming and extensive.

Loved it
This book provides a fascinating overview of Ben Franklin without reading like a history book or a timeline. Knowing about Franklin's life did not prevent me from getting caught up in the suspense and humanity of the story. Dash does a good job portraying Franklin as a master of politics and scientific curiosity, but also discusses his weaknesses freely - so I was able to get a real sense of Franklin as a person, not just as a historical icon.

The science explainations were clear, though a few diagrams of his experimental set-ups would have been useful. I was quite impressed by this book and found it entertaining and educational. I'd highly recommend it to students and adults alike. Also, the pictures were fabulous.

The book is best read straight through. The division between Part I and Part II is mildly helpful, but it's worth the extra couple hours to read through the first half even if your primary goal is learning about Franklin as a statesman. The foundation for so much of "Franklin the person" is laid in the first half that the reader may well miss some of the main themes by reading only part of the book.

An entertaining and informative book that will grab the young reader.
A Dangerous Engine by Joan Dash and with terrific pen and ink illustrations by Dusan Petricic will provide the young reader with loads of great information about one of our last unblemished founding fathers.Joan Dash has manageed to cram a great deal of information in a book that is just 226 pages long.Ad to that a bibliography and a few pages of source notes, and you have a balanced and wonderfully complete acount of Franklin's life.The tidbits of facts thrown in to the mix by the illustrations will give the young reader much to think about.For example, on page 28 we find that Franklin had a small group of helpers (a club perhaps) of "Franklinists" that helped him do his experiments.Then on page 90 we find out that Franklin spent only six years, from 1746 to 1752 as a ful-time scientist.

Attention is given to Franklins years as a diplomat and politician in the last half of the book.While Franklin never wished to become a diplomat it is lucky for us that he did.Dash does a wonderful job exposing these more public years for the young reader.

A Dangerous Engine is a wonderful read for children 10 and up. ... Read more