Written by H.W. Brands
After reading this book, I mentally scolded myself.
Why have I been ignoring this titanic figure of history for so long? Why have I been neglecting his fascinating life story, his literary and scientific genius, his ability to negotiate and compromise, to observe and experiment, to satirize and editorialize? Why have I been sticking my head in the sand for so long regarding Benjamin Franklin?
Perhaps I haven’t actually been ignoring Ben Franklin, but I have fallen into the trap that I believe most historic observers find themselves in: the warm glow of caricature. Somehow, history and popular culture has taken a great man and made him into a loveable cliche, all lightning-and-kites, fixing-wood-stoves, and old-man-observer better known for an ABC Saturday morning cartoon history lesson, side by side with conjunction junction. He’s the quietest of the great American figures…almost like a kindly uncle or grandfather, looking down on the tectonic forces of revolution and nation building that created the United States in the late 18th century.
Reading this book completely disabused me of this notion. H.W. Brands has written a compelling, sedate, quiet reflection — a biography that carefully, methodically, and wonderfully manages to explore Franklin’s background, genius, and contributions with a light rarely shed on this great man. It’s shameful neglect that today’s historians aren’t mentioning his name in the company of Voltaire, Burke, and Rousseau. After reading The First American, we all need to massively re-evaluate Franklin’s accomplishments and his legacy. Powerful men of thought and conscience once strode the Earth, and I’m beginning to believe that Franklin tends to be left out of such company mainly because of his gentle, avuncular nature, and his impressive ability to bring opposing parties together, and his fantastic insight into people, places and events…and insight that seems long gone from the political leaders and pundits of our modern age. Franklin was one of these long-lost giants…and after reading this book, I’m wondering why he’s not mentioned more often, especially in the company of Americans such as Washington & Lincoln…perhaps the only other two worthy of standing in his company. And yet he’s the nicest of men…and don’t the nicest of men usually finish last?
The First American is a wake-up call — never again will I ignore this fascinating-yet-gentle giant of intellect and words. H.W. Brands crafts a sumptuous biography that does great justice to a great man…and it should be shared far and wide. Drag Ben Franklin out of the the realm of cliche and the fog of forgetfulness, and force him back into the spotlight he so richly deserves.
