Townsends Book Club Episode 1 - Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

[@townsends]

Full Playlist of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin kzbin.info/aero/PL4e4wpjna1vyDCIco5sdKIPllF90y8eeV

[@Blurb777]

My father was a Greek immigrant, and the Autobiography of Ben Franklin was his favorite book. He read it at least once a year. He was always amused by how witty and brilliant Franklin was. Happily, Ive inherited that old book - and keep it right next to The Letters of Thomas Jefferson, the Letters of Abraham Lincoln - and the Letters of John Keats. Because - such English was just pure poetry.

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

is it the tiny blue hardcover copy? that's the one i have. so tiny, but i adore it.

[@robbinallan3767]

Wow. What a prize.

[@wolin289]

@Artemis A, I hope you keep the tradition alive and read it annually too. There is so much there. What a great legacy.

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

Wow

[@KristinP-zi2dj]

wtf how many times have read that sh*t?

[@heidim7732]

I am joining this late, but enjoying it very much. As I listen, I am stitching on a quilt stretched on a wooden quilt rack; re-living the old skills in my own way.

[@joshschneider9766]

It is most pleasing that the ancient art of needle craft survives.

[@Diniecita]

We would be great friends. As I am later than thee and am working on my quilt as well.

[@timl.b.2095]

I love that you guys are willing to experiment and take chances!

[@TiffanyHallmark]

I love how much "humble bragging" Mr. Franklin does in his autobiography. It is a real delight.

[@marvinbrock960]

What a wonderful idea! The more I watch your videos the more I enjoy what you have to offer! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@SardaukarQC]

I'm in for the ride. I've always been fond of footnotes, and this is like an audiobook with footnotes. Keep it up ! Thank you!

[@kathypreston4280]

I am loving this! To be able to get an interpretation from you with regard to these writings is very invaluable. Please continue with this in the same style. Thank you again.

[@marlavan7973]

I really enjoy it when you read. Also like the genealogy part of the book. Their DNA are within us. I see how that also Influences our interest. History is so interesting now I'm older!!!

[@josephbenson4413]

I think, especially Americans, don't feel the connection to our ancestors that the people of other nations might. We tend to miss just how much effect the decisions of those who came before still effect our lives.

[@boomerkobold3943]

@@josephbenson4413 maybe for some of us. I’m keenly aware of our ancestors and their deeds that built our country.

[@josephbenson4413]

@@boomerkobold3943 I'm actually referencing even farther back. What decisions were made by your ancestors, just say, 200 years before the ancestors that first came to America? How did those decisions lay the groundwork for eventually leaving the "old world" (wherever that happened to be)?

[@ShawnBlairME]

A great choice. I've never had the opportunity to read the Franklin book, but am enjoying it greatly. A lot do do with my love of history and genealogy. My roots go deeply back into early New England. Thank you.

[@joshschneider9766]

His twenties were wild lol

[@nickdirienzo2849]

@@joshschneider9766 So were mine!😅

[@acornwillows7995]

I just ordered your seconds version of the book. My kids and I are looking forward to the book club!

[@CrystalBbyUSA]

Very nice thing to do w your kids! 👍

[@chrisrogers8033]

Franklin’s father adored him. As the 10th son, he hoped Ben would be his tithe to the church as a clergyman. When that didn’t work out, he let Ben try out many different trades until Ben discovered printing, the work most meaningful to him. Can’t wait for James drama!

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

a solid argument for unschooling.

[@jamieboylan641]

I can’t express to you guys how much I appreciate what you do. I’ve enjoyed your channel for years, but especially more recently over the past year or two. For a couple reasons: 1. I homeschool my 5 children, and as they’re growing up a bit more, I’ve been able to use your videos for educational purposes particularly for my oldest boy whose almost 13- he loves history and all things “old fashioned”, he’s really enjoyed so many of your videos. And 2. All the mess and garbage going on in the world and our country, your content on this channel is like a breath of fresh air. So thank you. I’m so grateful for all you do, and for how encourage your viewers to enjoy American history and become more self sufficient. Homeschool hugs from California ❤️☺️

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

Make sense

[@ljb8157]

I'm so jealous! Sending my kids to public school guts me. I tried a year of homeschooling last year with my son (13 at the time) and we struggled a lot. He went back to regular school this year along with my daughter (12) and the stories they come home with make me so angry and depressed. Unfortunately, my husband and I both work full time, him; days, me; overnights, and homeschooling just didn't work for us. Math specifically. Homeschooled kids seem to be more successful and more grounded in life. Congrats to you for following through! Public schools today are nothing more than indoctrination centers!

[@FinleyHills]

I watched this live, and I thought it was great! You asked for viewer feedback, but honestly, the way you did everything - reading bits, pausing to explain parts, elaborating on different references - was perfect. I'd happily watch another livestream (or another hundred!) just like this one.

[@zeening]

i completely agree with this 100%, extremely well done live stream and amazing how he stops to explain everything and elaborate, such an incredible channel always makes my day brighter!

[@LynxSouth]

We now use the Gregorian Calendar instead of the Julian calendar. In October 1582, they skipped 10 days ahead. Protestant countries didn't switch at first, so people gave both Old & New Style dates for a few centuries. Wiki has a short, clear explanation.

[@TheRedleg69]

They skipped 11 days in September 1752 in England (and the colonies) and Spain if I remember right

[@Atlantya]

A book others might be interested in, Book of Ages by Jill Lapore, is about Benjamin Franklin’s sister Jane Franklin. It’s a very interesting perspective of the life of women in the 1700’s and another point of view of a part of Ben’s life.

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

True

[@sanderiggs8916]

Really enjoyed grammar school and education. Also the family history. I am to be notified when the next set of books come into the store. This is a great idea, Jon.

[@132west2]

I think its a great idea. The reading during Christmas time a couple years ago was awesome 👍.

[@CrystalBbyUSA]

He read this during Christmas time before?

[@132west2]

@@CrystalBbyUSA Not this one, he read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It was splendid.

[@violetopal6264]

Been a great thing to listen to while brushing the dog. She's not happy but I am. Thanks 🙂

[@dianenorkus9906]

Been waiting for this to kick off. Have finished first reading. Will need to go back as Jon works his way through. Good start.

[@ritaloy8338]

This is sure very interesting to watch and listen to you John Townsend. Your explanations to understand what is being written is being a great assistance. I will be watching this every Wednesday.

[@nickdirienzo2849]

I watched this live, and still enjoy coming back to it every so often. Like how I read the Dune series every couple years when I need a reason to go on living...

[@mikeorville8258]

I really enjoyed this stream. It was interesting to hear about his family but also about the customs of the day that you explained. Thank you for doing this. I look forward to up coming weeks.

[@nickdirienzo2849]

I will always appreciate how you have brought history back to life and make it fun too! Keep up the great work.

[@angrychileh308]

I ABSOLUTELY love this channel is makes history interesting, and entertaining. I wish schools invested into the channel or teaching like this .

[@clwest3538]

Thank you for this! I love that it is an American founder within 'your' time frame - expounding the life time and thoughts of the era. I love your insights - grammar school, etc. - Spoken footnotes for the modern reader! I will be following this to its conclusion!!

[@janerainsford8996]

Thank you SO MUCH! Can’t wait to hear this! I’m born and bred in Boston. All four grandparents came to Beantown from Ireland in the late 19th century.

[@deangerlach127]

Started reading this book a year ago, got 3/4's through. I set it down (too busy), but I'm dusting it off now to listen you speak on it. Thank you, so glad you for your channel!

[@yuantheblue]

first townsends stream in the new house :) It was grand and a nice way to unwind while learning something new!

[@haroldconner2645]

I began listening to your Franklin’s audio autobiography today on my commute to work. Excellent commentary and looking forward to listening to all the episodes.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us Jon and Ryan. Stay safe, Fred.

[@DeadpoolNJ]

I'm listening to this while at work. These book club streams will def help pass the time. Thank you

[@gma5587]

Just catching up on Townsend aftr a busy week. I like this book club idea. And I agree it's Jon's insight that makes it the more interesting 👍🏻

[@joshschneider9766]

My friend Angela's family has a Welsh language Bible from 1692 which is unbelievably stored in a bank lol

[@joshschneider9766]

@Pippi Bernstein evidently welsh language bibles were very restricted in the uk and a major contributor to why freedom of religion is such a big deal in our constitution

[@jackiec.7632]

I have you on in the background while I work. Thank you and your company for the interesting yet entertaining videos. I love them all. My favorite is your laundry one.

[@robbinallan3767]

I am So late to this party. Huge fan of your shop as well as your videos. It is so rare to find thought provoking, historical, enriching topics in today's society that you have to search for such as this. Wonderful. I'll catch up.

[@cheris5265]

This is just wonderful! I'm throughly enjoying listening and learning. You all are so inspiring and informative. I'm looking forward to hearing the remaining biography of such a great man

[@BlaneMcGill]

I was telling my wife that I wanted to read the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin just a couple days ago. Coincidence? Divine providence? I don't know, but I'm definitely following this!

[@ShinigamisBlade]

This is a great idea! Getting the extra context while also listening to you narrate is great

[@dakotatwilight]

I absolutely love this. Of course I would want a word by word read, but I most likely can find it online to be read to me, I have always loved reading rather old books even as a child. I love your commentary.

[@tylerlarowe7345]

I am whole heartily enjoying your historical sociological interpretation of what’s going on. I just started watching as I have been quite busy. I really appreciate your knowledge on this part of history. Have a wonderful day.

[@nanhayden8438]

I didn't think I'd really like this - but totally enjoyed it. Plan on following on - thanks!

[@7drunkenmermaids431]

Sad I missed this live.. I LIVE for this stuff💕💕💕

[@kimmcdonagh6756]

This is available free online of anyone wants to read it. (Besides Townshend's website) I read it a while ago. Really enjoyed the part written for his grandson?? More interesting than the portion written for the public.

[@leonardticsay8046]

I’m a cheapskate. Thanks, friendo.

[@rbsamar]

How to get it free plz? I was on Libby app looking for it but there is a lot of them? Thk u.

[@kimmcdonagh6756]

But, don't forget to maybe make a donation to Townsends for all their hard work

[@kimmcdonagh6756]

@@rbsamar I use Project Gutenberg

[@MercyMinister]

Thank you.

[@SongbirdCollageArts]

So interesting to see how your forefathers viewed the world. We could learn a lot from their wisdom and experience.

[@etuckedfg]

this is incredible!!! I love reading aloud and having the book and the history explained is so wonderful!

[@robertcurns3845]

enjoyed very much. like the way your doing it, not word for word, but pulling out particular things and touching historical notes. thanks

[@wolin289]

One summer in college, I took the autobiography of Ben Franklin and read ALL the books and treatises and such that he reported in the biography. OH WOW, what an education!! I learned more that summer than I did in years of study. The autobiography was awesome enough, but when you read what Franklin commented on, it's an amazing thing to have read what he read. And from that one an see what shaped his philosophy. I especially liked Thomas Tryon's books on vegetarianism...not that I liked the subject so much, but to see the reasons behind it all which involved even the movement of the solar system. I can't remember how many books it was, but I was able to get all through microfilm or in hand from a university library. What a great project that was!

[@ggsipaper]

What a great endeavor!!! I thought about doing the same but never did. I will try to do the same, at least in part. Thanks for the great comment.

[@tomcede6428]

I enjoyed this very much. The addition of your comments makes it even more educational. It is a great escape from today's news. I have referred several people to your web site. I could see the wheels turning when you were figuring out how to explain something.

[@Denise00700]

I’ve tried reading this book, but didn’t understand it, even though it’s in English. I’m glad you’re discussing it a little at a time, and every Wednesday! Now, Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week!! 📕👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@matthewreedy4731]

Absolutely wonderful

[@WulfRanger]

Couldn’t watch it live, but happy to hear this

[@AmandaS18]

I ordered the book and notebook, looking forward to this, exciting ❤️🇺🇸🤗

[@nilo70]

I have watched this channel from the very beginning morph into an amazing place to learn and sometimes see how things were in the 17 /18 century and the beginnings of our country . Thank you all so very much !

[@Nytephyre]

Absolutely fantastic! Thank you for this!

[@mycologymadeeasy5585]

Definitely like how you come in, and give your point of view, it's hard for me to read books and understand them. My mind wanders, and makes me have to re read and re read parts of a book. Wonderful.

[@generalg1946]

Love this! Thank you! Looking forward to the upcoming episodes!

[@phynnlessimaging]

Oooh I'm always late. Just discovering this, and quickly getting the audiobook so I can catch up! Thanks for doing this!

[@karincervantes8998]

Thank you very much for this reading! Loved it,and really looking forward to more!

[@lyra2112]

This is awesome! I got my book in time for episode 4 catching up now!

[@dbach7051]

Since I have no time to read the book and really like learning about him. Thanks for the talking about the book. I learned a few things I had not heard about in the other book I did read years ago.

[@maryreddell6529]

Good day to you! I enjoy learning from you. I like the Book Club and look forward to continuing book club.

[@susant9750]

It sounds like they didn’t have a lot of money, but his father still wanted him to have a better living than he had himself. That’s a good father!

[@jjpetunia3981]

Very enjoyable. I like how you did it. Appreciate what you guys do.

[@annies8835]

Love this! Keep 'em coming!

[@magickladycj]

Thank you so much for taking time and reading this book and the wonderful interpretation.... You are wonderful.

[@NicoleCB]

I'm glad I took a listen to this. I enjoyed it!

[@hannahcrossett3415]

Thank you so much for doing this! I love this so much and could not be more excited that you're doing this book club with us. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is one of my favorites! Please do more 18th century era books like this, too. 18th century is fascinating, especially thanks to your videos.

[@crusecrew]

We are really enjoying this! Your insight and commentary on the book are extremely interesting. This format is great!

[@lolitatexan4838]

I missed the live but I am here to watch it.

[@tamarakosusnik2090]

I really enjoy this John learning about Benjamin Franklin!

[@Solhai]

Watched live and after - very helpful to go over what I've read beforehand and have some context to certain parts. Enjoying this Book Club - thank you. I also didn't read before the live stream and it was quite easy to follow along and enjoyable. Now that I've read up to where was covered and re-watched it's even better.

[@sjfiet]

I loved this! I recently listened to this book as an audiobook and found it fascinating. I appreciate your insights and background information. It adds a lot. Please keep going. Thanks so much!

[@tripleS1906]

I'm really enjoying your reading! Thank you for reading small sections at a time and explaining in what context it is written.

[@edcox6784]

Thanks so much, both of you. I wasn't expecting it, just looking for something to watch and saw this (Something from Townsends I haven't seen yet.) guess I'll watch it. Could not be more pleased. Really like the format. Keep it up.

[@awrensgarden3754]

Love this and your format is excellent- you make history interesting and the kids love it! Thank you, thank you!!

[@imissyoujimmy]

Your enthusiasm inspires me to be better at my job

[@heden1460]

I've always liked learning about Benjamin Franklin. He was quite the character. I think they all were...they had to be in order to do what they did. I've read biographies of him but didn't know there was an autobiography. Your giving us the context of things is helpful.

[@jilliemc]

Got my corrected copy over the weekend. Catching up now, and looking forward to it. :)

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Been waiting on this!

[@lkywyfable]

Thank you! Love this.❤️

[@Jared-Brubaker]

I’m loving this! Thanks

[@gibsonaloha]

The writings & letters of WASHINGTON offers a great study & enlightenment of the his life, wisdom , colonial America & the Revolution .

[@TheMilkmaidFarm]

Finally getting a chance to take a break from the chaos of now to listen through this. Benny boy was a wise man. I should order this book to preserve for later generations

[@TheMilkmaidFarm]

And make notations in the margins, probably…

[@chuckbaker7909]

Ben Franklin badly wanted to be a sailor. He loved the sea but his father did not approve, because an older son, Josiah, had gone to sea and never returned. Yet Ben invented a pair of swim fins for his hands at age 11, and he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1968 for his many contributions to the sport.

[@kimfleury]

I appreciate this format! As it goes along I might think of suggestions, but for now I'll let it soak in and develop. One correction to the history you gave -- if I may gently correct you. I've heard even Catholics repeat the same mistaken history, as it's become mythologized in American culture. The claim is that the Catholic Church didn't want the ordinary faithful to be able to read the Bible in their own common language. Usually the reason given is that the Catholic Church wanted the faithful to have to go to the priests for the interpretation. However, this doesn't make logical sense for a few reasons, backed up by the historic record: 1. The Bible was slowly being translated into vernacular languages prior to the Protestant uprising. The translation work focused on one book at a time. As the Church wishes to be extremely careful with accuracy, the work was checked by multiple layers of reputable linguists among the clergy. 2. There had been renegade Bible translators long before the Protestant uprising, notably the English _priest_ Lollard. They weren't reputable linguists, to put it mildly, and mistranslated due to their lack of fluency in ancient Latin or Greek, if not out of malice. Often, their mistranslations led to their extreme misinterpretation of theology and doctrinal concepts. They weren't really very intelligent, nor qualified to assert their opinions on complex doctrinal matters. 3. Even after the invention of the printing press, all translation work was done by hand. Then the work had to be sent to appropriate expert linguists in other places. In the pre-Protestant era, postal mail was even more difficult than it was in the American Colonial era. In the post-Reformation period, people were killing each other over which Bibles they had in their possession, so the exchange of translations in progress was hazardous. 4. The English Bible in the Franklin family was likely one of the mistranslations, possibly a Wycliffe. There's a mythology surrounding the Wycliffe translation of the Bible that's possibly the source of the myth that the Catholic Church wouldn't allow the laity to read the Bible in their own languages. Nowadays people point to the Church's condemnation of the Wycliffe translation as the proof that Catholics are forbidden to read the Bible on their own. Yet Protestants reject the Wycliffe translation because it's rife with errors. I think there was a project to correct the errors, or maybe it was a project to deny the errors. Whichever it is, the original Wycliffe isn't used by Protestants today, having been condemned by a number of early Protestant religious leaders. 4. All of almost all the unauthorized English translations were done by not-well-trained secular priests (serving a parish flock that would presumably go to them to interpret the Bible). The English monastic tradition of scholarship was a big deal, even with corruption of behavior creeping in where the Monastic Rule was lax. The scholarship tradition is one reason why Henry VIII took possession of the monasteries, in addition to simply making a land grab. I do hope you'll correct this mythology in the future.

[@Osentalka]

Wouldn't a Franklin family bible be a Calvinst Geneva Bible?

[@townsends]

I'll have to do a deeper research on this sometime, Thanks

[@jennylynn82173]

This is wonderful! Thank you!!!

[@Whammytap]

I'm in this for the long haul! Can't wait for my favorite part, which I refer to as the "three great Rolls incident." :D

[@kdavis4910]

I did read ahead to like page 80 in one of the versions and it felt like my brain was melting from the controversy of the versions of the autobiography. I like when you read Jon because you explain things and that helps stretch my brain into greater understanding.

[@thepockethaven]

Love this! I'm really looking forward to future videos! =)

[@MrOffTrail]

The average life expectancies were lower then because of high infant mortality. As John said, if you survived childhood, you could expect to live long. The main change is that infant mortality is much lower now. In fact, lifespans for adults have not substantially changed in the last thousand years.

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

The best bookclub about B.Franklin on KZbin！

[@Yt-hb4wh]

I'm so looking forward to this new edition to your channel!

[@anthimatter]

This is awesome. I'm so into this. Unfortunately, being in Australia I'll rarely be able to watch live but that's ok. Benjamin Franklin has always been a bit of a hero of mine and one of the most important people in the world.

[@classiccuisine7001]

I love reading as much as I love cooking. Well almost. I do like to read old books nobody reads anymore. Ben Franklin is one. I have read Poor Richard's Almanack.John could you to read some Sir Frances Bacon?

[@redchandler]

Enjoying this. On to part 2 now. Maybe I can catch up by the 4th installment.

[@joshschneider9766]

The Shakespeare folks in the UK have what they call Original Pronunciation or OP. Not sure how they did it but evidently they have a close approximation of the play rights time period accent. Not sure if we could do that to Franklin's period here in the North American colonies? Could be really useful if possible.

[@kimfleury]

Linguists do that. There are huge books of collected pronunciations in university libraries Out East. By "huge" I mean 2'4" top to bottom, 1'6" side to side with the cover closed, and a good 4" thick. They have to be kept on reading stands. It's quite something to go through them -- I could be there all day!

[@Amanda-kw1vi]

@@kimfleury there is a KZbin channel that does something like that, interesting stuff but I wish he would read something in the pronunciation of the languages.

[@Amanda-kw1vi]

It's funny how when I think of old time early settlers I don't think of English accents... But if course that's what they had!

[@kimfleury]

@@Amanda-kw1vi yep, there area few linguists on KZbin. One of the guys is an archaeology student who began dabbling in linguistics and has developed some expertise, but makes it known that he's still a student.

[@LynxSouth]

Inculcate? Meaning to stamp down, to press in, as the word for teaching that you couldn't think of ? I really like your "annotated" reading. I've always found Benjamin Franklin highly interesting, almost quixotic, and I'm very happy that I checked my notifications almost at the right time. If one of your assistants notices that listeners have made pertinent comments, maybe you'd care to pause reading and mention them, but only if they're good cases of two heads being better than your knowledgeable one. It's never a bad time to learn how much mental and emotional adjustment must be done to look at another time or another culture clearly without modern prejudices and baggage. You'll be great, as you're already so good as a time-travel guide. Edit: Would you please set this up so comments from chat remain during replays? I know it's possible, as other channels I watch do so.

[@heidim7732]

The comments made during the live stream are viewable by clicking on "Live Chat" under the video. I believe it is the third option.

[@zeening]

this is incredible John really love this series, super interesting and awesome to listen to while playing some video games, and learn some history while I'm at it!