01/20/2020
Pepperdine University history professor Larson (To the Edges of the Earth) offers a lean and accessible dual biography of “the two indispensable authors of American independence”: Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. He traces their “close bond” to the French and Indian War, when they served as colonels in the Pennsylvania and Virginia militias, respectively, and met to discuss securing the frontier against hostile forces. According to Larson, “despite the war’s ultimate outcome,” both men learned that “the British were beatable in New World combat.” Dispatched to London in 1757 to represent Pennsylvania’s interests to Parliament, Franklin spent 15 of the next 17 years abroad, while Washington took on a “rising role” in Virginia’s House of Burgesses. Larson disputes the “simplistic” notion that Franklin and Washington were “reluctant revolutionaries” at the Second Continental Congress in 1775, and chronicles their complementary roles during the Revolutionary War and their collaboration on the Constitution. He contends that their only significant difference of opinion was over the issue of slavery. Though Larson draws on correspondence between his subjects, the book suffers somewhat from a lack of drama and intimacy—Washington and Franklin were only in the same place a handful of times. Nevertheless, colonial history buffs will appreciate this focused perspective on how the two founding fathers worked together. (Feb.)
"In 1790, John Adams joked that the history of the Revolution would eventually boil down to Washington and Franklin doing pretty much everything. This was not as much of a joke as Adams imagined: Edward J. Larson's elegantly written dual biography reveals that the partnership of Franklin and Washington was indispensable to the success of the Revolution." — Gordon S. Wood, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History and the Bancroft Prize, and author of Revolutionary Characters and Empire of Liberty
“Franklin & Washington does ample justice to its subjects’ achievements. ... Larson lays down a pairing that has hitherto been neglected. Few would quibble with Mr. Larson’s verdict that George Washington and Benjamin Franklin rank as the pre-eminent Founders: Without the former’s determined leadership of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and the latter’s assiduous cultivation of the French support that ultimately secured victory, there would be no United States." — Stephen Brumwell, Wall Street Journal
"Essential reading. ... Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Larson writes a dual biography of two founding fathers, shedding light on a special partnership and decades-long bond that made America possible." — USA Today, "A Best Book of 2020 so far"
“America has always been a team project, and its Founding co-captains are Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. But until now, curiously, there has not been a joint biography worthy of these two great Captains America. Edward J. Larson finally delivers just what we need: a crisp narrative crackling with great stories and deep insights. Equally fun and wise—a rare combination—Franklin & Washington is an indispensable book about our two indispensable Founding Fathers.” — Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science, Yale University, and author of America's Constitution: A Biography
“Larson brings together the lives of these titans, showing how their backgrounds and joint interests made them ideal partners. … An inspired approach for considering the lives and legacies of these two founding fathers.” — Booklist, STARRED Review
"Laudabl[e]. ... A leadership study showing how two different personalities can forge a partnership. ... Well-written and interesting. ... Great leadership teams generally are not composed of people with matching personalities. ... As Larson shows, Franklin and Washington brought two different sets of traits." — Walter Isaacson, Washington Post
"Larson presents a concise yet engaging narrative that illuminates how individuals can have as much impact on events as broader societal or economic forces." — USA Today
"Excellent." — Valdosta Daily Times
"In 1790, John Adams joked that the history of the Revolution would eventually boil down to Washington and Franklin doing pretty much everything. This was not as much of a joke as Adams imagined: Edward J. Larson's elegantly written dual biography reveals that the partnership of Franklin and Washington was indispensable to the success of the Revolution."
Franklin & Washington does ample justice to its subjects’ achievements. ... Larson lays down a pairing that has hitherto been neglected. Few would quibble with Mr. Larson’s verdict that George Washington and Benjamin Franklin rank as the pre-eminent Founders: Without the former’s determined leadership of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and the latter’s assiduous cultivation of the French support that ultimately secured victory, there would be no United States."
Larson brings together the lives of these titans, showing how their backgrounds and joint interests made them ideal partners. … An inspired approach for considering the lives and legacies of these two founding fathers.
"Laudabl[e]. ... A leadership study showing how two different personalities can forge a partnership. ... Well-written and interesting. ... Great leadership teams generally are not composed of people with matching personalities. ... As Larson shows, Franklin and Washington brought two different sets of traits."
America has always been a team project, and its Founding co-captains are Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. But until now, curiously, there has not been a joint biography worthy of these two great Captains America. Edward J. Larson finally delivers just what we need: a crisp narrative crackling with great stories and deep insights. Equally fun and wise—a rare combination—Franklin & Washington is an indispensable book about our two indispensable Founding Fathers.
"Essential reading. ... Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Larson writes a dual biography of two founding fathers, shedding light on a special partnership and decades-long bond that made America possible."
"Excellent."
"Essential reading. ... Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Larson writes a dual biography of two founding fathers, shedding light on a special partnership and decades-long bond that made America possible."
Larson lays down a pairing that has hitherto been neglected. ... An ambitious undertaking.
Larson lays down a pairing that has hitherto been neglected. ... An ambitious undertaking.
"Larson laudably tries to counter the tendency of historians, especially biographers, to focus on individuals rather than teams...[A] well-written and interesting biographical narrative."
"Larson laudably tries to counter the tendency of historians, especially biographers, to focus on individuals rather than teams...[A] well-written and interesting biographical narrative."
The working relationship and friendship between George Washington and Benjamin Franklin are given an excellent narration in this audiobook. Andrew Tell’s deep, versatile voice splendidly relates this partnership to the listener. Throughout the relationship, which began during the French and Indian War and ended with Franklin’s passing, not long after the Constitutional Convention, the two individually had notable achievements and were also great and positive influences on each other. Tell narrates the entire work at a pace that is quite easy to follow. His expressive inflection is spot-on with both narrative and quotes. Quotes are given a slightly different tone from the narrative and are done to near perfection. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
The working relationship and friendship between George Washington and Benjamin Franklin are given an excellent narration in this audiobook. Andrew Tell’s deep, versatile voice splendidly relates this partnership to the listener. Throughout the relationship, which began during the French and Indian War and ended with Franklin’s passing, not long after the Constitutional Convention, the two individually had notable achievements and were also great and positive influences on each other. Tell narrates the entire work at a pace that is quite easy to follow. His expressive inflection is spot-on with both narrative and quotes. Quotes are given a slightly different tone from the narrative and are done to near perfection. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
2019-10-19
The latest addition to the relatively new genre of dual biographies of Founding Fathers.
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Larson (History and Law/Pepperdine Univ.; To the Edges of the Earth: 1909, the Race for the Three Poles, and the Climax of the Age of Exploration, 2018) writes that both Benjamin Franklin and George Washington rose to prominence in the 1750s during the French and Indian War. Already in his 50s, Franklin had grown wealthy in the printing business, retired to make a worldwide reputation as a scientist, and become a power in Pennsylvania politics. Three decades younger, Washington used family connections to obtain a Virginia military command. More through luck and self-promotion than competence, he became a nationally known military figure. During this period, the two met in Philadelphia several times and exchanged letters relating to the war. There followed nearly 20 years apart. Sent to England in 1757 to represent Pennsylvania's and then the Colonies' interests, Franklin traveled back and forth until 1775. Washington married a rich widow, became a wealthy planter, and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Franklin returned to join the second Continental Congress in May 1775. During the six weeks before Washington left to command the army, they worked together, but details are scant. Franklin sailed to France, where he remained until 1785, lobbying for French aid. He and Washington exchanged a few letters. Their closest interactions came during the 1787 Constitutional Convention where they (with James Madison) were the most influential figures. Larson's Washington is not the traditional passive father figure but rather an energetic proponent of a strong presidency. Franklin believed the final product gave the president too much power, but he supported it anyway. Despite Larson's efforts, few readers will fail to note that the pair were never a close-knit team (à la Washington/Hamilton or Jefferson/Madison) or rivals (à la Jefferson/Adams or Jefferson/Hamilton) but national icons who knew and respected each other. To call them partners is a stretch.
Few original insights but fine biographies.
