Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur

The most versatile Founding Father was a husband, a father, a writer, an inventor, a statesman, a fundraiser and a military leader. But in his mind, he was first and foremost a businessman. Franklin's captivating adventures include his almost single-handed responsibility for establishing the first media empire, the first public library, the first fire brigade, the University of Pennsylvania, the first book club and the first franchise all of which are detailed within these pages with Franklin's characteristic mix of humility and pride.

Franklin chronicles his own story, from his early days growing up in colonial Boston to his retirement from printing and growing involvement in national politics. It was during these years that he honed his management and leadership skills, acquired a fervent distaste for tyranny of all types, embraced a strong set of morals, and developed an uncompromising work ethic. From the moment he fled his tyrannical master and set himself up as a printer in Philadelphia, all who came into contact with Franklin recognized his destiny.

His wisdom transcends the ages and his life lessons are insights are as compelling today as ever.

This special hardcover commemorate edition was published to mark the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth. It includes Franklin's signature, a map of Franklin's travels, photographs and drawings.

What People are Saying about Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur
"Franklin's autobiography is America's first great self-help book. It teaches in a delightful way how to win friends, influence people, and succeed in business. Professor McCormick makes this great work more accessible and adds his own insights."
- Walter Isaacson, author, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
"One of the most fascinating and least examined aspects of Franklin's life is that of his entrepreneurship and great success as a businessman. Amazingly, the skills he developed are still relevant to the business world today. Blaine has captured the essence of Franklin's model for success and shares it in a way that allows all of us to examine, learn from, and prosper by Franklin's wisdom. Read this only if you want to energize your life."
- Ralph Archbold, official Ben Franklin for the city of Philadelphia
"After reading this book, you'll understand why Ben Franklin means business. McCormick conveys the essence of American entrepreneurial spirit embodied by one of America's most skillful citizens."
- Roy Goodman, acting president of Friends of Franklin and member of the American Philosophical Society, America's first learned society, which was founded by Franklin
"Statesman and inventor are the first images that come to mind when we think of Benjamin Franklin, but as his autobiography will remind us, he was also a very successful entrepreneur and a most fascinating individual. Dr. McCormick brings the story of Franklin's entrepreneurial spirit alive for today's audience in his adaptation of Franklin's autobiography."
- United States Congressman Michael N. Castle (Delaware), Fifth Generation Franklin Descendant
"Anyone who's got the bug and drive to become a great leader and innovator can only be inspired by the life of Benjamin Franklin, who quite literally wrote the book for getting the most out of himself and bringing out the best in others. His genius - scientific, entrepreneurial, diplomatic, and literary - was sui generis. His Autobiography is a classic of American letters, and he emerges from the pages of Professor
McCormick's version not only as our contemporary, but also as a
21st century visionary, not to mention a wise companion."
- Dr. Judith Rodin, President Emerita, The University of Pennsylvania and President, The Rockefeller Foundation
BusinessKnowHow.com
"Sometime during the last 50 years most of us stopped reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin even though it's one of the greatest success stories in American history.
"Contrary to perceptions people might have of him, Franklin fully expected his autobiography to be more useful to young businesspeople than to, say, budding diplomats or scientists. Franklin clearly wanted the book to be useful to those interested in a career in business, and it is in this spirit that I have modernized his original text."
So says Blaine McCormick in his Introduction to Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur, and McCormick does indeed achieve his objective in this splendid and spellbinding adaptation.
McCormick, Ph.D., and nationally recognized scholar on the business practices of Benjamin Franklin, seamlessly applies and joins together Franklin's eighteenth century business principles to our twenty-first century business world. In addition to the written word, the book itself draws you in with its "weathered" pages and shadow image of Franklin himself gazing upon you from many of its pages.
A Business Know-How poll of a small number of modern day entrepreneurs found that nine out of ten have never read the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Knowledge of Franklin -- one of our greatest Americans -- was often limited to "signer of the Declaration of Independence, the 'face' on the 100-dollar bill, and the discoverer of electricity with the famous key on the string of a kite." In McCormick's pages, Franklin's actual accomplishments and beliefs leave one awed and inspired.
Although Franklin's most celebrated achievements came after he had already established himself as a successful businessman, it is his early years of poverty, struggle and strife -- and Franklin's impressive self-made journey to success -- that leap out of the pages and stir one's soul.
Considering our recent corporate scandals rife with dishonesty, greed and negligible regard for the "little guy," every business person today would do well to read about Franklin's personally crafted self-improvement program which he claimed "contributed more to the quality and happiness of my life than anything else I tried." For years, he kept a daily record of his success and failure in developing habits of 13 moral virtues.
According to McCormick's Franklin, "Wrongdoing is not harmful to yourself and others because it's forbidden; it's forbidden because it's harmful. As such, it's in everybody's best interest to live a virtuous life if they want to be happy and successful. This is the way the world works. The young people reading this should take special note: nothing will make a person's fortune like simple goodness and honesty."
Surely, certain Enron executives would have benefited had they heeded this advice.
Franklin himself was not without faults, but masterfully used his mistakes and failings -- particularly in his younger years - as a true learning tool and stepping stone to greatness. At the age of ten, young Franklin led a group of friends in the building of a fishing pier along with the pilfering of a considerable amount of stones to build their pier. Their wrongdoing was soon discovered and, through the wise and convincing words of his father, Franklin cemented his belief in the necessity for honesty in all endeavors.
Possessing an affinity for universal truths and wisdom-guided beliefs, Franklin -- at the age of 26 -- created the character and witty sayings of "Poor Richard" Saunders in his Poor Richard Almanacks. McCormick cleverly sprinkles throughout the margins of his book many of the still-famous sayings and proverbs of Franklin's Poor Richard; things like, "Eat to live, and not live to eat" and "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
It is no accident that Benjamin Franklin is on the top of virtually every list of any poll showing this country's greatest Americans. After reading "Franklin's autobiography for modern times," it becomes evident that this great statesman, inventor, scientist, printer, musician, economist and philosopher possessed a unique brand of intelligence that resonates and relates to the common man.
Every business student, every business owner, every corporate giant would be well served to read and explore the pages of Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur. Here they will witness -- in Franklin's challenging struggle from poverty to the fulfillment of the "American dream" -- that truth, authenticity and integrity in all business dealings are the foundations to real success.
Read the original review here.
Publishers Weekly
Although this modernized version of Franklin's autobiography achieves its goal of sharing business lessons, it also serves as an accessible�if abbreviated�portrait of the entrepreneur, statesman, scientist and inventor. The author, associate dean for undergraduate programs at Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business (and a Franklin scholar), has updated Franklin's 300-year-old text, revising the language and syntax and rearranging some stories so they appear in chronological order. He divides the work into three chunks: Franklin's first 20 years; his years as a Philadelphia printer through his retirement from business in 1748; and his move into the public sphere, as he applied his business know-how to civic, military and diplomatic projects. Each of the 82 short chapters features an introduction contextualizing the events. Some lessons are of the moral variety (honesty is a necessity in all endeavors); others pertain to development (expose yourself to a wide variety of jobs; Franklin worked for his father's candle business, enjoyed watching talented craftsmen at work and toyed with small machines for his science experiments); many are more traditionally business-minded (on partnerships, for example, Franklin advises "clearly defining the roles and expectations of each partner at the very beginning"). History buffs with business interests will enjoy this entertaining, informative account.
Library Journal
Of Benjamin Franklin�s many legacies to posterity, the one highlighted here by McCormick (assoc. dean, Hankamer Sch. Of Business, Baylor Univ.; Ben Franklin�s 12 Rules of Management) is the wealth of practical advice that he left for aspiring business professionals in his Autobiography. McCormick adapts Franklin�s own prose to make his messages more accessible and focused for today�s general business readers. In addition to updating Franklin�s language, he rearranges the work (with some cuts) into 82 short and highly readable chapters. What shines through is Franklin�s business advice, for example, that more can be achieved through cooperation than competition, which communication techniques can be most influential and advantageous, and that people must continuously manage their self-image to be effective in business. Also included are over 100 sidebars, the majority of them containing quotes from Franklin�s earlier work, Poor Richard�s Almanack, and used here as headings for additional business insights by McCormick for today�s audience. This enjoyable book is highly recommended for public libraries and undergraduate business collections, and may e usefully read in combination with McCormick�s previous title on Franklin, cited above.
--C. Geck, Kean Univ., Union, N.J.
Daily Times, Salisbury MD
Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur covers both the founding father's life and the formation of his business acumen from 1706 through 1757. It clearly presents Franklin's observations and experiences in the business world in ways that modern readers can appreciate and apply. The book details Franklin's upbringing, explaining the lessons he learned on his way to owning his own business, and shows how Franklin applied his business knowledge in the public arena. It links concepts introduced in Franklin's autobiography with today's business environement.
Tami Brady, TCM Reviews
Ben Franklin: America�s Original Entrepreneur is the modernized version of Ben Franklin�s autobiography. Though extremely intriguing and interesting in its own right, the original biography was written in a rather disjointed way in the natural language and voice of the times. These aspects make reading the original autobiography difficult while reducing the powerful messages contained in this important man�s life. I believe the author has done a tremendous job of reorganizing Franklin�s musings and updating the text into modern English so that Franklin�s true messages are clearly understood.
As I read this book, I keep thinking that this was a man who would have been interesting to meet. He was steadfast in his values of integrity, humbleness, thriftiness, and a strong work ethic. Yet, he continually tried to better himself and the world around him.
I was also surprised at the number of interesting things that Ben Franklin had accomplished that I didn�t even realize he was involved in. For instance, I hadn�t realized his part in setting up the first public library, fire department, and militia in Philadelphia. I also hadn�t realized that this man�s talent for gently but firmly guiding projects to completion without being in the spotlight. I think that says something extremely important about his character both in his daily life and business affairs.
Read the original review here.
Jeremy Hoover, Hoover Reviews
Read the original review here.
Ben Franklin, Entrepreneur Par Excellence
This book is billed as �Franklin�s autobiography adapted for modern business� on the front cover. It does, of course, like Franklin, live up to its billing and is a fascinating read in updated, modern language that illuminates the essence of Franklin and what he was about.
Blaine McCormick, in the introduction, extols Franklin�s experience as an American model of excellence in business. He notes that bookstores are saturated with titles built on Sun Tzu�s The Art of War and the works of Machiavelli. The market for such titles is those who are engaged in cutthroat business and seek a psychological angle for their own betterment. Yet McCormick believes that we do not need to look to old world Europe or the East for business advice: Americans can look to one of their own home-grown heroes.
It is in this vein that he presents the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. The autobiography is written in updated, modern language, and each chapter contains two sidebars: one, an insight from McCormick showing how Franklin�s writings pertain to modern business, and two, a �proverb� from one of Franklin�s alter egos, �Poor� Richard Saunders. While Franklin�s writing is very personable, and, in updated form, very enjoyable, the sidebars do much to contextualize the writing and leave the reader with something more to ponder.
Perhaps the genius of Franklin�s autobiography is how his work stands in contrast to other writings that would encourage a person to be somewhat to deceptive in business, to hold their cards close to their chest and reveal nothing more about a transaction than is absolutely necessary. Franklin�s pursuit of honesty and forthrightness in all his dealings, coupled with his famous thirteen-point checklist in pursuit of pure morality, is a refreshing antidote to much of what passes for modern business �acumen.�
In short, for someone looking for a primer in good, solid business, this autobiography will answer the challenge and inspire the reader to success. But this book may find a wider and more agreeable audience outside of the business world: Because of his focus on morality and living as a good citizen, Franklin�s book sounds a clarion call for responsibility in a world that isn�t always easy to navigate.
Let this book be used in the service of Franklin�s favourite virtue, good.
Midwest Book Review
Ben Franklin's autobiography has been adapted and edited by Blake McCormick to showcase one of the best business stories arising from America's colonial period. Ben Franklin was a superb entrepreneur, inventor, and writer who influenced not only the political, but the cultural, social, and business climates of his day. In "Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur " the reader is provided with insights and illustrations as applicable as business models today as they were more than two hundred years ago. Enthusiastically recommended reading -- especially for anyone aspiring to success is the business world whether as an individual entrepreneur or as a member of a corporate team.
Books On-Line
Like a lot of successful businessmen, Ben Franklin looked back in his later years and wrote a book aimed at telling young people how to succeed as he had. We tend to forget that in thinking of Franklin as a statesman in France during the American Revolution that he was first and foremost a businessman. When we think of him in business, we think of him as a printer. We forget that he invented the Franklin stove (reducing the heating cost of everyone). He started a college, now called the University of Pennsylvania. He started other businesses, too many to mention in this short review. And he started public service organizations like the Union Fire Company.
His book, now three hundred years old makes for fairly difficult reading. His language has aged more than has his sentiments. Dr. McCormick has taken his original book and re-written it in more modern english, re-organized it a bit for consistency. And put Poor Richard's bits of wisdom in little side panels.
I've read a lot of business books, and this one ranks among the very best. It doesn't have a lot of technical details like how to form a corporation or deal with the IRS. It's about the fundamentals of finding a need and putting together a business to meet that need.
One last point. This is a book. If you order it through the mail, it typically ships Media Mail. It is an interesting point that Frankin was a printer, producing books; Franklin was also the first Postmaster General of the U.S. Pure coincidence, I'm sure, that books ship at a favorable postage rate.
Midwest Book Review
You may think looking into a historical figure's theories and words-to-live by for entrepreneurship is the last place to look, yet not when examining Ben Franklin. His wisdom is as relevant today as it was when first created. Franklin's written balance and accomplishments are just as influential in these writings as his writings are in the foundation for the democratic republic, embodied in the constitution.
Professor McCormick explores the views and wit of Ben Franklin. Our founding father had an impact on the American national character. His extraordinary and complex life as a printer, entrepreneur, postmaster, and diplomat, among other activities had a profound impact on the development of the United States. The inventor enjoyed reinventing himself and disliked everything that tended to debase the spirit of the common people and his opposition to arbitrary authority, made him a trusted figure. So, if you want to be a better business person read this translation of one of the smartest and most humble man ever. And, to learn more about Franklin's life read the book's last chapter 'The Rest of the Story.' It's a timeline of events describing the rest of the man's life.
The book has been written to make Franklin's amazing story accessible to the modern business reader. It is the only modern translation of Franklin's autobiography.
Franklin wrote 'Poor Richard's Almanac' that contained witty sayings. Scattered throughout the book are boxes filled with his counsel. "Poor Richard once said, '"The noblest question in the world is What Good may I do in it?"' and '"Poor Richard once said, '"Gifts burst rocks."'
Franklin encourages readers to be the best they can be. His theme is one of virtues, humbleness, honesty, and of thriftiness - old fashioned yes, but if it works, what does that matter?
This book deserves a wide readership, but is especially for those looking to aide their business and themselves. Any serious student of entrepreneurship will want to keep this authorative volume close at hand.
Christina Francine Whitcher, Reviewer
BookPage
Blaine McCormick's clever book, Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur, entices the entrepreneurial muse by mining the good doctor's autobiography for the business lessons it contains. McCormick, a Franklin scholar and an associate dean at Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business, has shaped a unique adaptation of the original work, revising its often abstruse language and syntax, and reorganizing the narrative into a three-part chronology that traces the beginnings, development and maturation of this successful 18th-century entrepreneur. The result is a solid business primer and intriguing portrait of America's foremost businessman, statesman, scientist, inventor and diplomat.
Franklin's life story, full of common sense, creative genius and psychological insight, has been distilled into palatable chapters, embellished with McCormick's trenchant analysis of Franklin's business acumen and peppered with apt quotes from his incomparable Poor Richard's Almanac. McCormick also includes informational tidbits about current business leaders and practices that relate to the lesson at hand: a young Franklin, motivated primarily by thrift, extols vegetarianism. Is it any wonder that Corn Flakes inventor W.K. Kellogg and Apple Computer maven Steve Jobs would follow suit?
McCormick views Franklin as the "founding father of American business," and notes that the great man clearly intended, as proven by a letter written shortly before his death, that his autobiography "will be of more Use to young Readers; as exemplifying the Effect of prudent and imprudent Conduct in the Commencement of a Life of Business." The models are many and all are useful in today's business vernacular, whether they involve a moral lesson, like the one learned after a youthful indiscretion involving minor theft, or a strategic maneuver, as when Franklin gains community cooperation for public projects by using the power of advertisements and contracts (both, of course, printed for profit by Franklin's own press).
This book's streamlined approach holds much for history and business buffs and, in accordance with McCormick's dearest wish, may sufficiently pique readers' interest to "return to Franklin's original text to study it with greater appreciation."
Read the original review here.
NASE - National Association of the Self-Employed
Entrepreneurial inspiration sometimes comes from surprising places, such as the new book Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur (Entrepreneur Press, 2005). The book is the first modern-day translation of Franklin's 18th-century autobiography. Produced by Blaine McCormick, associate dean for undergraduate programs at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University and a noted Franklin scholar, the book is as much a story about American business as about Franklin's life. McCormick cites as examples of Franklin's influence his almost single-handed responsibility for establishing America's first media empire, public library, fire brigade, book club and franchise, as well as the University of Pennsylvania.
Read the original review here.

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Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur