Life lessons, large and small

Not a conventional biography, this is about living, as Ben Franklin did, with curiosity, diligence, and the elusive goal of self-improvement. Following Franklin from Philadelphia to Paris, Boston to London, we learn how to improve a relationship by inducing someone to do a favor for you—a psychological phenomenon now known as The Ben Franklin Effect. We learn about the printing press (the Internet of its day), early medicine, diplomatic intrigue and, of course, electricity. And we learn about ethics, persuasion, humor, regret, appetite, and so much more.

The author argues we have much to learn from the past and that we’d all be better off if we acted and thought more like Ben did, even if he didn’t always live up to his own high ideals.

Review Quote

“As Benjamin Franklin would say, ‘There is nothing so improving to the mind, soul, heart, and funny bone as another book from the sharp quill of Eric Weiner.’” —Christopher Buckley

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