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The Modern Scholar

The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

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The Modern Scholar

By: Professor H.W. Brands
Narrated by: H.W. Brands
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About this listen

 Early American history is dominated by engaging and iconic figures - none more intriguing than Benjamin Franklin. Chandler, balladeer, poet, printer, writer, humorist, satirist, swimmer, businessman, inventor, philosopher, soldier, administrator, scientist, politician, ladies' man, musician, humanitarian, philanthropist - it's almost easier to list the things Franklin was not than try to explain the pursuits and interests of this multi-faceted man.

In this course, you'll study with noted historian H.W. Brands, the New York Times best-selling author of The First American, which also earned a Pulitzer Prize nomination. Brands is a scholar who truly captures the essence of Franklin and the times in which he lived. This course examines the life of Franklin and his influence on both American and world history. From his early days as a printer's apprentice to very nearly his last days, Benjamin Franklin's thirst for knowledge and his desire to share what he knew brought him to the forefront of a changing world. His contributions through inventions, scientific investigation, and political thought still echo more than 200 years after his passing. He remains the model of the American thinker - a man who was interested in nearly everything, and who pursued those interests with an admirable and contagious passion. To study Franklin's life is to learn not only the history of a single man, but to understand some of the most monumental changes in all of human history.

©2003 H.W. Brands (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC Americas Colonial Period Historical Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Professionals & Academics Science & Technology United States Technology American History Royalty
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H W Brands is a superb writer, lucid thinker and historian.

He is a also an effective lecturer and communicator but the production of this Modern Scholar course is not up the usual standard of most other Audible recordings.

Brands' delivery, whilst enthusiastic and impassioned it is inconsistent - he frequently drops his head to read from documentary sources with an associated drop in the volume of the recording.

I would much prefer to hear a well produced version of his original book: The First American. Amazon, please try to get this book, as well as his more recent book on FDR: Traitor to his Class released in Kindle and/or Audible versions.

BTW I am currently reading his Reagan: The Life which is also excellent.

Good Audible but please produce the original book

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