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Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father Hardcover – February 29, 2016

by George Goodwin (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 59 ratings
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An absorbing and enlightening chronicle of the nearly two decades the American statesman, scientist, author, inventor, and Founding Father spent in the British imperial capital of colonial America

For more than one-fifth of his life, Benjamin Franklin lived in London. He dined with prime ministers, members of parliament, even kings, as well as with Britain’s most esteemed intellectuals—including David Hume, Joseph Priestley, and Erasmus Darwin—and with more notorious individuals, such as Francis Dashwood and James Boswell. Having spent eighteen formative months in England as a young man, Franklin returned in 1757 as a colonial representative during the Seven Years’ War, and left abruptly just prior to the outbreak of America’s War of Independence, barely escaping his impending arrest.     
 
In this fascinating history, George Goodwin gives a colorful account of Franklin’s British years.  The author offers a rich and revealing portrait of one of the most remarkable figures in U.S. history, effectively disputing the commonly held perception of Franklin as an outsider in British politics. It is an enthralling study of an American patriot who was a fiercely loyal British citizen for most of his life—until forces he had sought and failed to control finally made him a reluctant revolutionary at the age of sixty-nine.
 
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  1. Part of series
    The Lewis Walpole Series in Eighteenth-Century Culture and History
  2. Print length
    400 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Yale University Press
  5. Publication date
    February 29, 2016
  6. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0300220243
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0300220247
  9. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“An enthralling biography.”—BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week ― BBC Radio 4

About the Author

George Goodwin is currently author in residence at the Benjamin Franklin House in London and is a 2017 international fellow at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, Monticello. He lives close to London’s Kew Gardens.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press (February 29, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300220243
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300220247
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.64 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 59 ratings

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
59 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

j. coop
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016
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I just finished this book, having purchased it after hearing an interesting interview with the author on a history podcast. The book more than lived up to expectations. Even if you already possess a number of Franklin-themed books and wonder why you would want or need another, you will want to read this for the very detailed narrative of Franklin's time in England, both in his political role in serving as a colonial agent for a number of colonies, and for the extensive social and political relationships he developed with all segments of British society, particularly scientific. You get a real sense of Franklin as a person, warts and all. On that note, the author doesn't spare illuminating some of the darker aspects of Franklin as husband and father. I was not aware of the level of personal contact Franklin had with the English ruling class, and the author does a great job of highlighting the great differences of opinion regarding American amongst the British governing elites, which Franklin worked so hard to influence. The book is also extremely well-written and is an easy read. Overall, very highly recommended.
6 people found this helpful
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Ronald H. Clark
4.0 out of 5 stars Diplomat Ben Franklin at work in a hostile London
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2016
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This book has a good deal to recommend it to those interested in the American revolutionary period. First, it adds valuable detail to our understanding of Franklin the man and his contributions to the birth of the American republic. The frustrating situation that Franklin faced in London trying to negotiate on behalf of Pennsylvania and other colonies for fairness in economic issues and appropriate divisions of authority between the Crown and the colonial legislatures, makes it abundantly clear why these issues could not be resolved peacefully and required a bloody revolutionary war to settle them. A classic escalation model if there ever was one. Second, it demonstrates how when faced with intractable opposition, with both the Penn family and the British government unwilling to seriously address important issues, the resourceful Franklin relied instead upon social skills, his massive reputation as a scientist of the first order, and charm to open up pathways to important governmental personages and deliver the American message. While some have criticized Ben for later fooling around and having a good time when Ambassador to France, a deeper view reveals how he utilized a variety of personal techniques to carry on negotiation and do his duty. Finally, the author paints a rich portrait of the British ruling class, their backgrounds and attitudes toward America, and how they could be so absolutely uncompromising in dealing with serious problems involving their empire. Beautiful color paintings of some of these characters are included.

The author also devotes some chapters to Franklin's early life, including the period before becoming a colonial agent in London and an earlier brief period in Britain working in the printing industry. Then the focus shifts to his return to Pennsylvania and his successful business and political careers. His impact on Philadelphia was enormous. His scientific achievements are discussed, including a rare American membership in Britain's Royal Society, which proved invaluable when he undertook his mission to London in 1757. The more I learn about Franklin's pre-London early life and achievements, the more I realize how significant a figure he was--very different from his playboy reputation. Moreover, Franklin along the way spent much time with important members of the Scottish Enlightenment, particularly Lord Kames, and this is another virtue of the book.

But the primary focus of the book is on the endless struggles, humiliations, defeats, and embarrassments Ben underwent as he stuck it out in an inhospitable environment for nearly twenty years. His job was not made any easier by events such as the Boston Tea Party, American boycotts of British good, resistance to the Stamp Act and the Navigation Acts, and other signs of growing American impatience with the dictatorial British administration. The capstone was the hour long public dressing down of Ben by the Solicitor General before the all powerful Privy Council. His cheerful countenance apparently was hiding a will of steel as well as a very sharp political operator.

The text is supported by impeccable research reflected in numerous notes and a solid bibliography. The author has chose to include a unique section: "SELECTED LIST OF PLACES TO VISIT AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS" in both the UK and Pennsylvania. A valuable addition to the literature, both interesting to read and informative, and a true service to Franklin.
12 people found this helpful
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Andrew Desmond
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing but a Place to Begin
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2022
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It’s probably not widely known that Benjamin Franklin, the man on the $US100 note, spent a substantial period of his life in London. Indeed, he only shifted to the cause of American independence comparatively late in life. Until this time, he always thought that Britain and America would be a combined and mighty force for good.

Franklin led a long and interesting life. He was unquestionably a polymath. Yet, given the richness of his life, George Goodwin’s “Benjamin Franklin in London” does not do the subject proud. The book is often dry and only rarely provides new or interesting insights.

This book was my introduction to Benjamin Franklin as a reader. I was disappointed. Having said that, my appetite has been whetted to locate more reading material on Franklin. His life was extraordinary and his impact on the formation of the America republic substantial. My search will begin here.
5 people found this helpful
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Philip Brantingham
5.0 out of 5 stars The amazing fact learned from this superb book is that Benjamin ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2017
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The amazing fact learned from this superb book is that Benjamin Franklin at one time considered living permanently in England. He had made many friends there and had many happy experiences in the city--but this was with personal contacts. His experiences with members of the British government were not pleasant. The Crown looked on him as an interloper, representing the rebellious colonies. Author Goodwin's narrative relates all the details of Franklin's life in London--a bit tediously at times but always to the point. Nor much is said about his scientific interests, which is s pity, but the focus of the book is his diplomatic activities and his shrewd actions in representing the colonies. He was a skilled negotiator, but in many ways it was to no avail. His Majesty's government plunged willfully into a no-win war with the American colonies. Quite readable and authoritative it remains the best book so far on this part of Franlin's life. .
4 people found this helpful
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KingSonal
5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to read, but entertaining nonetheless
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2016
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The structure of the sentences makes this a difficult read. The author mentions 3 or 4 characters, different titles and different time periods all within a single sentence. When the next sentence starts with "he" you have no idea who that "he" is. The book is also overpriced, but I'm guessing that is standard for books from academic institutions.

Nevertheless, the content is very good. I learned things I hadn't read elsewhere. The author was thorough and provides good background information for the time period. Had the usual needless psychological analysis in many places, but it wasn't enough to distract from the greatness of Franklin and his accomplishments.
12 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars History under a microscope
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2016
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Well researched and informative, the book paints a vivid picture of his life in England and of the amazing brilliance of Ben Franklin. What this book lacks is a story, it doesn't read like a novel but more like a textbook. Glad I read it, but equally glad that I made it through.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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debayac
1.0 out of 5 stars Mauvaise biographie de Franklin à Londres.
Reviewed in France on August 14, 2017
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Mauvaise biographie de Franklin à Londres. Aucune perspective. Noyé dans les détails. Le personnage n'apparait à aucun moment comme important
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A music lover
5.0 out of 5 stars A major addition to knowledge about Benjamin Franklin
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2016
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My husband, who has a strong interest in the scientists of this period, has thoroughly enjoyed this well written account of a gifted, though at times difficult, man. The focus on Franklin's London period gives scope for a more detailed study, both of the socio-political landscape and of the man at that stage of his life and with those specific interests, than would have been possible in a full biography.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A vibrant insight to life in Georgian Britain
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2016
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A well written account concentrating, as the title indicates, on Franklin's visits to London. He was a loyal British subject and sought to obtain British sovereignty over the proprietorial colony of Philadelphia which had been granted to the Penn family. From Franklin's point of view and the view of many of those who lived in the colony the governance was too arbitrary and it was felt that if the rule passed directly to the British government Pennsylvania would greatly benefit. The Pennsylvanian Assembly sent Franklin to London to negotiate directly with the government. The ups and downs of his dealings with the various ministers is told in detail, often through recourse to Franklin's correspondence to his wife Deborah. The story is revealed in a personal manner describing the problems that Franklin faced. But the whole is leavened with descriptions of his relationships tempered by a remarkably clear insight to his contacts with several of the leading figures of the English and Scottish Enlightenment and his dealings with the Royal Society. Goodwin succeeds in providing a rounded personality, 'warts and all' (as Cromwell said to his portraitist).
The coloured portrait illustrations of so many of the key players adds materially to the pleasure and interest of reading the text which is well-researched enhanced with a fine bibliography and good index.
I only wish publishers would return to the practice of inserting footnotes on the relevant pages instead of clustering them as endnotes - this appears to have become universal and has little to recommend it.
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FloridaDino
3.0 out of 5 stars They don't make them like that anymore....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2023
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I would give this a 3.5.
Although packed with the most minute detail ( the author should be hugely commended for his research) this felt just a little too dry. At times it was an endless parade of names, facts and figures to the exclusion of all else.
Although the political scene of the 1750's and 1760's is interesting, I would have liked a bit more about Franklin the man, the father, the husband. Also, a bit more about what Franklin actually did in London outside of his political duties. I feel we barely skimmed the surface.
A fascinating man no doubt, in a fascinating city, at a fascinating time.
Not quite, though, the fascinating book this could have been.
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MARGARET THORNTON
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2016
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Enjoyed the Radio 4 serial and have purhased books written previously by George Goodwin
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