This book is a take on Ben Franklin's philosophy and teachings about virtue by........
George L. Rogers- Editor (though compiles, commments, and injects enough in the book that he's practically the offer; though definitely based on teachings and references to Ben Franklin.)
The premise is this; suppose Ben Franklin wanted to write a book on virtue (as he pretty much did, given that Ben Franklin was one of history's more notable philosophers). I am less impressed by (Ben Franklin, even more than Jefferson strikes me as more of a synthesiser of previous thought than an innovative philosopher) Ben Franklin as a philosopher than Jefferson.
George L. Rogers ends chapters with Sonnets about the topic (presumably by him and not Franklin). Thus, perhaps there is too much Rogers in this book, and not enough Franklin.
Yet another mediocre book. I am not all that impressed with either Franklin or Rogers as a writer. Rogers himself relies too much on Ben Franklin' autobiography and does not seem to have known Franklin's aphorisms like the back of his hand; instead trying to summarise an overrall premise (though of course Franklin is frequently quoted), to the point this comes across as more of a rehash of Ben Franklin's biography and a summary of his points than a truly deep understanding of what Franklin had to offer.
Though summarising Franklin's ideas and combing it with is biography seems like a good idea; I think George L. Rogers inserts himself too much in the book when I think the chapters should either have had more refined summaries, or a more interesting elaboration of Franklin's ideas, instead of the "poems" at the end of each chapter.
For a good biographer and history check out Plutarch
For another book on Ben Franklin check out Autobiography of Ben Franklin on project Gutenberg.
George L. Rogers- Editor (though compiles, commments, and injects enough in the book that he's practically the offer; though definitely based on teachings and references to Ben Franklin.)
The premise is this; suppose Ben Franklin wanted to write a book on virtue (as he pretty much did, given that Ben Franklin was one of history's more notable philosophers). I am less impressed by (Ben Franklin, even more than Jefferson strikes me as more of a synthesiser of previous thought than an innovative philosopher) Ben Franklin as a philosopher than Jefferson.
George L. Rogers ends chapters with Sonnets about the topic (presumably by him and not Franklin). Thus, perhaps there is too much Rogers in this book, and not enough Franklin.
Yet another mediocre book. I am not all that impressed with either Franklin or Rogers as a writer. Rogers himself relies too much on Ben Franklin' autobiography and does not seem to have known Franklin's aphorisms like the back of his hand; instead trying to summarise an overrall premise (though of course Franklin is frequently quoted), to the point this comes across as more of a rehash of Ben Franklin's biography and a summary of his points than a truly deep understanding of what Franklin had to offer.
Though summarising Franklin's ideas and combing it with is biography seems like a good idea; I think George L. Rogers inserts himself too much in the book when I think the chapters should either have had more refined summaries, or a more interesting elaboration of Franklin's ideas, instead of the "poems" at the end of each chapter.
For a good biographer and history check out Plutarch
For another book on Ben Franklin check out Autobiography of Ben Franklin on project Gutenberg.
No comments:
Post a Comment