References

Literary Publications used:

Suggested Reading: These books were most extensively consulted in the creation of this web page. All books on the this reading list are rated on a scale of 1-4 "Franklins."

Benjamin Franklin by Carl Van Doren (Garden City Publishing Co., NY 1938)
Van Doren's biography is the BEST and final authority on the life of Benjamin Franklin. Written by the esteemed Columbia Professor in 1938, the 845 pages of the book provide an extensive and thoroughly comprehensive analysis. Although the reading is rather complex and the text is lengthy, one thing is for sure. Reading Carl Van Doren's Benjamin Franklin will allow you to not only know the accomplishments and traits of the venerable Franklin, but to understand their purpose as well.
Reader Level: Advanced Rating: 4 Franklins

The Man Who Dared the Lightning-A New Look at Benjamin Franklin by Thomas Fleming (William Morrow and Co., NY 1971)
Fleming's biography offers a refreshingly different perspective on the life of Benjamin Franklin. Rather than being chronologically ordered Franklin's life is portrayed dramatically an in an entertaining matter. Included are some beautiful photographs and portraits from Benjamin's family and life experiences. The reading level is intermediate and very detailed but it comes nowhere near Van Doren's work.
Reading Level: Intermediate Rating: 3.5 Franklins

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Vintage Books, NY 1987)
Indeed, nothing serves as a better learning tool than primary source material. As one reads about the life of Franklin in his own words, one begins to realize how his experiences have shaped his personality. Originally, the biography was intended as a legacy to Franklin's family. Consequently, the reading is sometimes dry and irrelevant. However, the language is masterful and extremely dynamic.
Reading Level: Advanced Rating: 3 Franklins

Ben Franklin Laughing by P.M. Zall (University of California Press, Los Angeles CA, 1980)
This wondeful work presents the lighter side of Benjamin Franklin through original source material. Thousands of anecdotes and tales are compiled in this volume to celebrate Franklin's wit and humor.
Reading Level: Intermediate Rating: 3 Franklins

Benjamin Franklin: Founding Father and Inventor by Leila Merrell Foster (Enslow Publishers Inc., Springfield NJ, 1997) Intended for a younger audience, this concise biography is ideal for all children. Although it does not concern itself deeply with the life of Franklin, it does cover his entire life and a great deal of his accomplishments. The easy reading for beginners allows them to realize the impact Benjamin has had on modern civilization.

Reading Level: Beginner Rating: 2 Franklins

Other Literary Sources:

AUTHOR Meltzer, Milton

TITLE Benjamin Franklin : the new American

PUBLISHER New York : F. Watts, c1988.

 

AUTHOR Fay, Bernard

TITLE Bernard Fay's Franklin, the apostle of modern times ..

PUBLISHER Boston, Little, Brown, and Company, 1929.

 

AUTHOR Block, Seymour Stanton

TITLE Benjamin Franklin : his wit, wisdom, and women
PUBLISHER Hastings House, [c1975]

 

AUTHOR Lopez, Claude Anne.
TITLE The private Franklin : the man and his family
PUBLISHER Norton, [c1975]

 

AUTHOR Adler, David A.
TITLE A picture book of Benjamin Franklin
PUBLISHER New York : Holiday House, c1990.

 

AUTHOR Asimov, Isaac
TITLE The kite that won the revolution
PUBLISHER Boston, Houghton Mifflin [c1963]

 

AUTHOR Burlingame, Roger
TITLE Benjamin Franklin, envoy extraordinary
PUBLISHER New York, Coward-McCann [1967]

 

AUTHOR Tourtellot, Arthur Bernon.
TITLE Benjamin Franklin : the shaping of genius : the Boston Years
PUBLISHER Garden City, N. J., Doubleday [c1977]

 

AUTHOR Wright, Esmond, ed.
TITLE Benjamin Franklin : a profile.
PUBLISHER Hill and Wang [c1970]

Media resources:

Gerhard Finkenbeiner and Company (http://www.finkenbeiner.com) - Glass Angels, GLASSHARMONICA, The Passionate Quest. Sound Clips. (August 1998)

Michael Miller and David Rowe (http://www.miller-rowe.com) - The Ash Grove · Soldier’s Joy · The Water Is Wide · The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Sound clips. (August 1998).

Electronic Mail Correspondence:

Nickerson, Tim. gfiglass@erols.com "permission to use glass harmonica music clips" 22 August 1998. Personal E-mail.

Rowe, David. dlrowe@miller-rowe.com "permission to use colonial music clips" 26 August 1998. Personal E-mail.

Beckett, Elizabeth. ebeckett@alaska.net "info on cgi-scripting" 29 August 1998. Personal E-mail

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