Finally finished reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
Overall I'm pleased with my decision to read it. He was very inspiring considering his education was cut short due to lack of funds and he was sent to be an apprentice. His desire to be at sea had his father worried so his father sent him to be an apprentice with different trades until they settled on being a printing apprentice for his brother. Ben had a love for reading, learning and growing. He learned from his mistakes and craved knowledge so much he'd rather study on Sunday's than go to church!
I was intrigued how Ben could take an idea such as the stove and fix its flaws into "Franklin Stove". The "Franklin Stove" could heat a living quarters much more efficient that the original stove. Even with the stove being successful he refused the patent. He accessed the issues in his part of the city and went to the Assembly about getting roads paved and then took it ever further to keep them clean.
Knowing the importance of education Ben developed and followed through with a plan to create a library and an academy in Philadelphia. He helped put a plan together for building a hospital. Creating a treaty with the Indians and devising a plan for the impending war with the French are also under his belt along with many held political offices. His scientific ideals linked the connection between lightening and electricity. No wonder he is a founding father of our country! I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting more accomplishments that I read but these are the few that I jotted down as I read.
He practiced frugality, thought that one should be working or studying not drinking in a tavern and practiced a practically debt free life.
His newspaper was extremely successful due to his writing and ideas. The Poor Richard Almanac was also successful at communicating ideals to citizens all over. In the copy of my book it included excerpts from The Poor Richard Almanac. Some of them were just lines like, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man health and wealth and wise". Good reminder when you're working towards a goal and need to be inspired.
What threw me off about this book was, I didn't realize it was written in pieces before being published after his death. When I was reading parts of it I felt disconnected and I couldn't figure out why. I also had a hard time staying awake because of the writing style.
Ultimately what I got from this autobiography is you can be successful if you work hard and study hard, live simple and turn your ideas in to the physical.What a great book to start off with the new year.
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