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Closer to Home

I've been an avid reader my entire life. One of my resolutions for the new year is to devote at least an hour each day to reading as a recreational pursuit. Boring stuff I know, but humor me anyway. I've gone so far, this week, to put aside whatever I happened to be working on during the business day to open a book at my desk.

Presently, I'm about two thirds through Walter Isaacson's voluminous study of the life of Benjamin Franklin. The book, which shares the name of it's biographical character, is one that I highly recommend to everyone. Franklin was made of an energetic fiber that has fueled the imaginations of generations of Americans and mankind in general. His spirit, it seems to me, is destined to motivate eternally.

I didn't realize that Franklin was responsible for constructing the monument to democracy that is "Federalism." Because of him we enjoy a unique system of government that clearly defines the authority of the federal government versus that of individual states. It's a shinning tribute to our nation's ingenuity that's portrayed beautifully in Isaacson's book.

Most surprising to me was the revelation of Franklin's humanness. During the course of his lifetime, Franklin sparked unusual bonds of affection with any number of young woman, girls really, still in their teens. While the book clearly rejects any notion of physical impropriety, the scenario in general seems highly inappropriate to me. Let me put it this way: if Franklin were alive today, and I had a teenage daughter, she wouldn't be sitting on Uncle Benny's lap ... if you get my drift.

When finally finished with this book, I'm thinking about moving onto David McCullough's highly acclaimed Truman. I picked it up this summer at one of two used bookstores in Havre de Grace after it was suggested by Carole Cohen.

Until next time ....

Posted by Ed Rybczynski on 01/11/2008 07:23 PM

Comments (25)

25 Comments on Closer to Home

JAN

2008

Indeed. I have little patience with folks who keep trying to turn this great Federalism into a Democracy.

Rather like folks who keep trying to turn this wonderful real estate network into a social network.

Ed, Ben Franklin is responsible for more innovations than most people realize. He invented bifocals, ran the first post office, and organized the first volunteer fire department, among many other accomplishents. Thank goodness the country was not dominated at the time by political correctness...

I thought he just invented 5 & 10 stores.

(good for your for reading recreationally)

Lenn - For the time being, I've decided to remain neutral in regards to the rumblings on this site. I've been fighting a cold for the last couple of days and didn't feel like thinking about business this evening so I wrote off topic. My next post,I promise, will reflect hard core real estate doctrine.

Brian - Originally, I was going to compile a list of Franklin's inventions, but the project proved daunting. He even invented a musical instrument, the glass armonica, that was extremely popular in his time. Mozart and Beethoven composed pieces specifically for it.

Chris Elizabeth

Thank you for the heartwarming comment and the enthusiastic approval of recreational reading.

Hi Ed I will be doing that with the Franklin book. Both he and Jefferson have always intrigued me with their creativity. The truth is many women got married at 13 so........ while it's a bit icky now, maybe not so icky then? Since you are tackling Truman I will do Franklin at the same time lol

Recreational reading that starts at work! Sounds innovative I will have to try it!

It is just amazing what some of our counties founders accomplished. I just wish we could get people of their intelligence in goverment.

Ed,

I'm glad to see you're attempting to get some culture...:^) Put this book on your 'to read' list: "God And The Astronomers" by Robert Jastrow...pay particular attention to the last paragraph...but don't jump ahead to read it!!! Thanks, Fran

Good for you taking and making the time to read recreationally, seems like that's one of those things that's so easy to neglect some days

JAN

2008

When you get around to it, write about the debate about "hard core real estate talk" vs. social network. It might stir some interesting conversation if it gets featured.

I may take a shot at it today.

Carole

I think that responsible reading at work is fine as long as it doesn't get out of hand. However, reading and driving is purely reckless. Unprotected reading is another matter entirely.

I'm glad you've decided to read Franklin. It's truly an exceptional book. I understand what your saying about children becoming emancipated at a very early age during the 1700's, yet there seems to be more to the story in this case. Franklin had a very unusual relationship with his own wife and daughter that contrasted starkly with his outside "dalliances." As you know, much historical perspective is gleaned through the content of letters written by, or to, biographical figures. Franklin's correspondence with his young feminine friends are just a little too possessive and emotional not to raise questions in my mind.

I'll let you know when I finish the book.

So you are saying they sell latex covers for books? :-)

Can't wait to read it and await your full review!

Carole

If I didn't know better, I would have thought that the quick, spicy comment originated from Bonita Springs.

You've exposed an entirely new side of yourself and possibly sparked a new business. I'll bet high-school students would buy into the idea in a big way.

LOL :-)

Chris, Fran, Diane

Thanks for stopping by.

JAN

2008

Ed, This isn't your same old fare, is it? The comments reflect the difference too.

Bill Roberts

Bill

Cut me a little slack. Last week I was laid up with a cold. The radical rhetoric that you've come to anticipate should be back soon, possibly this evening. Not to worry!

Yeah Bill, go read a book :-)

That's what I'm talking about. I know who has my back. Someday I'll share a story about something that happened to me in a prison bakery.

I will be all ears!

Carole, If you read my blog you would know that I have read a few books lately.

Ed, I can't wait for more good stuff from you.

Bill Roberts

JAN

2008

Ed.... Ben Franklin was a very interesting person and figure, I think more so than many know. I am not a big book fan, but I might have to get this one. I know some of what you are talking about because I did a series on Philly when I first joined AR and I learned a lot. The City of Brotherly Love: Part 2 of 6 - The Historic Sites & Famous People of Philadelphia......A series of Blogs Thanks for sharing this....

Jeff

I highly recommend this book. It's been something of a project to read, but I have learned much about the origins of our nation from Isaacson, a historian with a unique perspective,

JAN

2008

Ed, you and I are opposite on a number of issues, but I really enjoy "talking" with you here (and your Title-Opoly site). And I just figured out why - we have a number of similar tastes. Some years ago my new years resolution was 1 book and 3 magazines a month (Natl Geo, Smithsonian and Scientific American). It began a habit that I enjoy to this day (its nice to at least be able to list one good habit!)
I read Franklin some time ago and put it into the company library with a recommendation that everyone read it. I've read Issacsons Einstein this year, and another excellent bio of J Robert Oppenheimer "American Prometheus" - can recommend both to you. Nothing beats exposing yourself to great minds like good biographies.
All in all, I think Jefferson/Hamilton created the American Ideal, and Franklin created the American Dream.

Sorry - that one above was me... :(

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