Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father (The Lewis Walpole Series in Eighteenth-Century Culture and History)

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.

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. .

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.

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.

This is like the 4th book on this topic I have read, so it is getting muddied in my head, but I think if I recall this, it was good and detailed/

While Dr. Franklin is always interesting, this effort, I think, will strain a general reader's attention when it comes to the murky ends and outs of high British politics of the mid- to late-18th century.George Goodwin writes well on a number of subjects concerning Dr. Franklin's lengthy stay in the Great Wen, including about his varied friendships,diet, home life, and scientific connections.Provided is a useful bibliography and a nice list of places to visit for those desiring to know more about Benjamin Franklin. I, for one, will be investigating the website of the "London Historians."

This is a very good account of the history leading up to the Revolution. I was looking for more insight into Franklin's friendship with Dr. John Fothergill, especially as it might pertain to the early history of abolition and18th c. Quakerism.

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.

The book is a very serious and detailed look into the several multi-year stays of Franklin in London as a printer apprentice and, in later years, as the representative of the Pennsylvannia assembly trying to break free from proprietary rule of the Penn family. I particularly enjoyed several detailed passages discussing his failures in his dealings with the establishment. The author could have written more about then London itself, although there is a considerable effort to discuss social, dietary norms, etc. I do recommend the book for all interested in the London perspective on the unfolding of the war for American independence.

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.

I chose the rating because it seemed well researched. It gave a good account of the period of its time. The politics of those times not so different from to day.

very interesting and enlightening, had no idea he did so much work for the link between the two countries,