Fleming has found a great little piece of history about Jefferson and Franklin. A great story about writing. Highly recommended! Look for Fleming's story BIG CHEESE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE by DK Ink!

"It's true! The great Benjamin Franklin really did steal lightning right out of the sky! And then he set out to tame the beast. It goes to figure, though, because he was a man who could do just about anything..." So begins Rosalyn Schanzer's engaging introduction to one of colonial America's most fascinating men. Ben Franklin was a man of many talents and accomplishments. He was a writer, politician, soldier, musician, inventor, and entrepreneur. He helped lead our country to independence, and traveled the world as a statesman. But he often best known for his inventions and boundless curiosity. This of course leads to his interest in electricity and the well known kite and key experiment..... Ms Schanzer's entertaining text is written in an easy to read, conversational style, and is rich in history, trivia, fun facts, and wit. Her playful illustrations complement the text beautifully and are filled with bold color, humor, and captivating, eye-catching details. Together word and art provides a clever and appealing history lesson that is sure to whet the appetite and send kids out looking for more. With a marvelous Author's Note at the end to further enlighten and augment the story, How Ben Franklin Stole The Lightning is a masterpiece of fun-filled learning, perfect for kids 7-11, that shouldn't be missed.

Benjamin Franklin was a very interesting man. He invented the first public library, the franklin stove, bifocals, discovered that electricity and lightning came from the same force, and founded the first college. He had the biggest funeral in Philadelphia.

This was a simple overview of Benjamin Franklin's life and his contributions to the United States. When Ben was born in Boston, his parents knew he was special because he was curious, had a sense of humor, and read a lot. He always tried different ways of doing things such as making paddles to swim faster and holding onto a kite while he swam so it could pull him. Ben was sent to live with his brother, James. James was a printer, so Ben wanted to learn to print also. Ben wrote letters for the newspaper without his brother's permission. When James discovered Ben's dishonesty, Ben decided to move to Philadelphia. Benjamin worked hard at printing until finally he bought his own shop. Benjamin married and had two children. His contributions to Philadelphia are tremendous, such as starting a reading club called Junto, starting the first free library, fire department, hospital and school, and even proved that lightning was electricity. Before Benjamin Franklin died at age 84, he helped free America through signing the Declaration of Independence and writing the Constitution of the United States.

Mr. Cooling's book presents a chronological evaluation of the events that preceeded and occurred after the Battle of Monocacy. Starting with why Lee ordered the last gasp invasion of the north, to the modern efforts to preserve the battlefield. All aspects of these events are presented but not evaluated. For example, why didn't Washington believe the people of the area when they reported that Jubal Early was in Maryland? Mr. Cooling also presents a wonderful driving tour for people who want to see and expirennce the places of the Battle of Monocacy. The appendicies go into great detail about the Ohio National Guard which fought at Monocacy, and the issues all the govenor's of the various Union states had to face when called to defend Washington. Perhaps if Jubal Early had not stalled outside of Washington, Monocacy would be celebrated as one of the greatest Confederate victories of the war.

This is an excellant book on the private life of Benjamin Franklin. You see, Ben retired in his early 40's and this book tells, quite eloquently I might add, the story of his personal life. I would highly reccomend it.

Douglas Anderson has managed to produce a rich and extremely stimulating intellectual biography of Benjamin Franklin. He traces Franklin's ideas as reflected in his various writings throughout his life, with special focus on his literary and philosophical influences. For instance, he shows that Franklin, even in his teenage years, managed to produce a work of rather impressive learning and erudition, viz. Silence Dogood. This work quotes extensively from the popular English Republican work "Cato's Letters," and reflects explicitly the philosophical ideas of the great moral philosophy Lord Shaftesbury. Anderson ably demonstrates how his ideas changed and evolved with time and experience, as Franklin moved from being a poor apprentice to a publisher, scientist, politician, and revolutionary diplomat. He analyzes the full range of his thought on a myriad of subjects, including politics, religion, and science. In the end, this work is a major accomplishment that offers the interested reader a vast amount of enjoyment and education.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well written... even young children could enjoy the stories. Franklin was a remarkable man, he was a man of character. He excelled in many areas as a scientist, inventor, and politician. There are many lies being told about him today to defame his character, and this book will help you understand the REAL man!

I bought this book for my students reading about the American Colonies and Revolution. I didn't feel that I knew enough about Ben Franklin and needed to learn more. My students were facinated about him because he was an inventor and did the experiment with the key and the kite to learn about electricity. I learned so much from this book that I had never known before and the readabilty level is perfect for my students. I can't wait to share this book with them!

I treasure this book! Not just a book of quotations -- in a series of annectdotes, mouthwatering morsels, that leave you hungry for more, this is a literary feast. It presents Ben Franklin in a way that few books can. The reason? It shows you the Franklin you want -- when you want him. The topics -- prejudice, slander, or party loyalty -- to name some, are clear, well-organized, and often witty. But these are not the main reasons I treasure the book. You might have excellent access to short squibbs on Warren Harding. The book draws its delight from the greatness of Franklin and the authors abiding appreciation of the First American. A possessor of the earlier edition, I promise you an inexhaustible treasure.