Benjamin Franklin and His Enemies
“Benjamin Franklin and His Enemies” by Robert Middlekauff is a First Edition published by University of California Press in 1996. This biography delves into the complexities of Benjamin Franklin’s character, particularly focusing on his passionate anger and the challenges he faced in his relationships with political adversaries and family members. Through a careful examination of archival sources, Middlekauff presents a nuanced portrait of Franklin, highlighting both his remarkable achievements and the emotional turmoil that accompanied his life.
Readers will find a narrative that intertwines Franklin’s personal struggles with significant events in colonial and Revolutionary history. The book explores his interactions with figures such as the Penns, John Adams, and his son William, who sided with the British, revealing how these dynamics shaped his experiences. With 255 pages of insightful analysis, this work provides a comprehensive look at the emotional landscape of a pivotal figure in American history, making it a valuable addition for those interested in biography and the historical context of the United States.
Official synopsis Publisher
00 In this engaging study of the much-loved statesman and polymath, Robert Middlekauff uncovers a little-known aspect of Benjamin Franklin’s personality–his passionate anger. He reveals a fully human Franklin who led a remarkable life but nonetheless had his share of hostile relationships–political adversaries like the Penns, John Adams, and Arthur Lee–and great disappointments–the most significant being his son, William, who sided with the British. Utilizing an abundance of archival sources, Middlekauff weaves episodes in Franklin’s emotional life into key moments in colonial and Revolutionary history. The result is a highly readable narrative that illuminates how historical passions can torment even the most rational and benevolent of men. In this engaging study of the much-loved statesman and polymath, Robert Middlekauff uncovers a little-known aspect of Benjamin Franklin’s personality–his passionate anger. He reveals a fully human Franklin who led a remarkable life but nonetheless had his share of hostile relationships–political adversaries like the Penns, John Adams, and Arthur Lee–and great disappointments–the most significant being his son, William, who sided with the British. Utilizing an abundance of archival sources, Middlekauff weaves episodes in Franklin’s emotional life into key moments in colonial and Revolutionary history. The result is a highly readable narrative that illuminates how historical passions can torment even the most rational and benevolent of men.
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