Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Amazon Prime includes:
Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
- Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
Learn more
1.27 mi | ASHBURN 20147
Returnable | Yes |
---|---|
Resolutions | Eligible for refund or replacement |
Return Window | 30 days from delivery |
Refund Timelines | Typically, an advance refund will be issued within 24 hours of a drop-off or pick-up. For returns that require physical verification, refund issuance may take up to 30 days after drop-off or pick up. Where an advance refund is issued, we will re-charge your payment method if we do not receive the correct item in original condition. See details here. |
Late fee | A late fee of 20% of the item price will apply if you complete the drop off or pick up after the ‘Return By Date’. |
Restocking fee | A restocking fee may apply if the item is not returned in original condition and original packaging, or is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to Amazon or seller error. See details here. |
Return instructions
Item must be in original condition and packaging along with tag, accessories, manuals, and inserts. Unlock any electronic device, delete your account and remove all personal information. |
Returnable | Yes |
---|---|
Resolutions | Eligible for refund or replacement |
Return Window | 30 days from delivery |
Refund Timelines | Typically, an advance refund will be issued within 24 hours of a drop-off or pick-up. For returns that require physical verification, refund issuance may take up to 30 days after drop-off or pick up. Where an advance refund is issued, we will re-charge your payment method if we do not receive the correct item in original condition. See details here. |
Late fee | A late fee of 20% of the item price will apply if you complete the drop off or pick up after the ‘Return By Date’. |
Restocking fee | A restocking fee may apply if the item is not returned in original condition and original packaging, or is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to Amazon or seller error. See details here. |
Return instructions
Item must be in original condition and packaging along with tag, accessories, manuals, and inserts. Unlock any electronic device, delete your account and remove all personal information. |
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Audible sample Sample
Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder's Formula for a Long and Useful Life Hardcover – June 11, 2024
Purchase options and add-ons
Ben Franklin lingers in our lives and in our imaginations. One of only two non-presidents to appear on US currency, Franklin was a founder, statesman, scientist, inventor, diplomat, publisher, humorist, and philosopher. He believed in the American experiment, but Ben Franklin’s greatest experiment was…Ben Franklin. In that spirit of betterment, Eric Weiner embarks on an ambitious quest to live the way Ben lived.
Not a conventional biography, Ben & Me is a guide to living and thinking well, as Ben Franklin did. It is also about curiosity, diligence, and, most of all, the elusive goal of self-improvement. As Weiner follows Franklin from Philadelphia to Paris, Boston to London, he attempts to uncover Ben’s life lessons, large and small. We learn how to improve a relationship with someone by inducing them to do a favor for you—a psychological phenomenon now known as The Ben Franklin Effect. We learn about the printing press (the Internet of its day), early medicine, diplomatic intrigue and, of course, electricity. And we learn about ethics, persuasion, humor, regret, appetite, and so much more.
At a time when history is either neglected or contested, Weiner argues we have much to learn from the past and that we’d all be better off if we acted and thought a bit more like Ben did, even if he didn’t always live up to his own high ideals. Engaging, smart, moving, quirky, Ben & Me distills the essence of Franklin’s ideas into grounded, practical wisdom for all of us.
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAvid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
- Publication dateJune 11, 2024
- Dimensions6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
- ISBN-10150112904X
- ISBN-13978-1501129049
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
Similar items that may ship from close to you
- The Geography of BlissPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
- The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original MeaningHardcoverFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
- The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead PhilosophersPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
- The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old ManHardcoverFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
- Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and TriumphsHardcoverFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
- Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse AmosPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A warm combination of homage and introspective memoir . . . Franklin still inspires, with a lifelong ‘sense of wonder,’ respect for virtue, and lively curiosity.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Throughout his life Benjamin Franklin constantly strove to improve himself, master self-control, and most of all live a useful and virtuous life. As the author reflects in this quick and quirky read, this is not a bad formula for modern Americans who are on a journey of self-discovery.” —New York Journal of Books
“As Benjamin Franklin would say, ‘There is nothing so improving to the mind, soul, heart, and funny bone as another book from the sharp quill of Eric Weiner.’” —Christopher Buckley, author of Has Anyone Seen My Toes?
PRAISE FOR THE SOCRATES EXPRESS:
“Part travelogue, part soul-searching memoir and part intellectual matchmaker, [The Socrates Express] packs an extraordinary amount into 287 pages of text. Erudite, funny and frequently self-deprecating, Weiner serves as your interpreter and guide along the way. Bursting with amusing trivia, insights and cultural references, he is on a quest to make even Schopenhauer relatable. . . . It is entirely possible to read this book just for pleasure, but it is so much more. . . . Each chapter is like a chocolate truffle — tasty and dense. . . . Space them out and savor the ideas to see which ones suit you.” —The Washington Post
"Eric Weiner's The Socrates Express rekindled my love for philosophy. A smart, funny, engaging book full of valuable lessons, The Socrates Express is not an explanation—it's an invitation to think and experience philosophy filtered through Weiner's words. . . . The structure of this book is brilliant. . . . An engaging read . . . With plenty of humor and straightforward prose [Weiner] engages with deep thought and encourages us to focus on questions instead of answers. . . . A fun, sharp book that draws readers in with its apparent simplicity and bubble-gum philosophy approach and gradually pulls them in deeper and deeper until they're contemplating desire, loneliness, aging, and death." —NPR
“Delightful . . . There are so many reasons to love this book . . . . If you are planning summer travel or a staycation, this book will take you places intellectually and humorously.” —San Francisco Book Review
"With signature clarity and humor, [Eric Weiner] picks up where The Good Place left off. In a rare philosophy book that’s a delight to read, he illuminates what deep thinkers through history have known about a life well lived." —Adam Grant, bestselling author of Originals
“A delightfully entertaining, practical guide to navigating life . . . Weiner crafts a seamless, engaging study of condensed knowledge crafted in graceful prose.”—New York Journal of Books
"[Weiner's] writing is fresh and even revelatory as he pulls together seemingly disparate notions and asks meaningful (and often unanswered) questions. His tone alternates between informative and insightful to cheeky and challenging. . . . Readers will enjoy Weiner's unique approach and ultimately satisfying conclusions." —Booklist (starred review)
“Such a globe-trotting tour of philosophy can only be as good as its guide, and Weiner proves to be a curious, sincere, and generous companion. His good cheer alone serves as a model for how to live, and many readers will appreciate his method of taking what’s useful for him and leaving what’s not. . . . ‘The world needs more philosophical enthusiasts,’ Weiner writes. This book is sure to generate its share.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A pleasant surprise. Part high-level survey of the central ideas of a diverse group of philosophers, part memoir, part 'how to' book and part travelogue, [The Socrates Express] is an invigorating introduction to some of philosophy’s eminently practical uses. . . . A serious man of ideas . . . refreshingly free of prescriptiveness.” —The Book Reporter
“Weiner makes a convincing and winningly presented case for the practical applications of philosophy to everyday existence in the 21st century. With humor and thoughtfulness, he distills the wisdom of thinkers from throughout history . . . into ways to slow down, ask questions, and pay attention. . . . His book offers an appealing way to cope with the din of modern life and look at the world with attentive eyes and ears.” —Publishers Weekly
“Equal parts vivifying travelogue and Philosophy 101 crash course . . . Weiner’s gift is his lively ability to unearth fresh insights about their ideas that relate to the chaos of the present day.” —Boca Mag
“Weiner offers bubble gum philosophy that provides a quick, sweet taste. . . . Those looking for lite insights will be drawn in gradually from the shallow (getting out of bed and walking) to the deep end (aging and death).” —Library Journal
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster (June 11, 2024)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 150112904X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1501129049
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #16,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #18 in Travel Writing Reference
- #36 in U.S. Revolution & Founding History
- #62 in Traveler & Explorer Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Eric Weiner is author of the New York Times bestsellers The Geography of Bliss and The Geography of Genius, as well as the critically acclaimed Man Seeks God and, his latest book, The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers. A former foreign correspondent for NPR, he has reported from more than three dozen countries. His work has appeared in the New Republic, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, and the anthology "Best American Travel Writing." He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and daughter. For more information, visit: www.ericweinerbooks.com
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Originally, Weiner’s editor suggested he do his next book on aliens and a UFO encounter, but, ironically, it was the initial research on aliens that led Weiner to the unlikely topic of Franklin, since Franklin himself entertained the idea of a “chorus of worlds.” Choosing then to explore more about Franklin, Weiner became convinced that, whom he called the “least dead” of all the founding fathers, was the more intriguing topic to write about. Weiner presents Franklin in a holistic way, never avoiding the more fraught aspects of his life, including racism, slaveholding, and, at times, the lack of support for wife and son. Asking how a man can still be considered great while holding slaves and refusing to forgive his own son for being a loyalist, Weiner navigates these murky waters instead of avoiding them. While he was never soft on Ben for his apparent failures, he helps the reader understand how we have our blind spots in the times in which we each live—not justifying or excusing it but seeking instead some perspective.
If history books can seem stodgy to some; if self-help books elicit eye-rolls from most; if personal confessional books seem like so much navel-gazing to others, then this book successfully pulls off the unlikely task of intertwining all three. Ben and Me, is a testament to life and to death and to doing each as well as possible in our short time on earth. Weiner is no sentimentalist. His impressive research is done very much old-school in the best traditions of travel, interviews, experiencing with his senses first hand to supplement the more mundane digital digging for information.
Those familiar with Weiner’s works know he always approaches subjects as part travelogue and as such takes the reader along on the journey. This is no exception, and Weiner succeeds in presenting the past as the “foreign country” that is also part of the present. In the most vivid sense he brings to mind Faulkner’s paradoxical words, “The past is never dead. It’s not even the past.” In a time when we most need to be buoyed-up by the best of our past as Americans, Weiner delights us with his latest book that has both inspired and delighted me, reminding me that there is hope even in dismal times.
"Ben and Me" is the perfect book to read this summer by the pool or in my case on the mountain. For four years, Eric (sometimes with his wife and daughter) followed Franklin's path from Boston to Philadelphia (Franklin would not be Franklin without Philly; Philly would not be Philly without Franklin), London and to France where he served as commissioner for the United States, living in Passy just outside of Paris. The book traces Ben's life from his early childhood to his death at the age of 84 in 1790. Yet, as a reader, you are not just reading about the past but rather you have the sense you are in the present traveling and seeing how the various locations that Ben either lived or visited have changed. It was so interesting to learn how greatly Ben is admired throughout Europe. In the book, Eric describes Ben's evolution from a printer apprentice, to journalist, author, inventor, public servant and Founding Father, the only Founder to have signed all four of the critical documents establishing the United States. Beyond learning about Ben's life, there are important lessons about how we can live today a better life by following what Eric describes as Franklin's five indispensable life strategies such as What good shall I do this day? and What good have I done today? What I learned here went beyond what you might see in some MBA management textbook! And, spoiler alert, younger Ben was athletic and loved recreational swimming which was certainly not the norm.
The narrative is exceptionally well-written, capturing the essence of Franklin's innovative and rebellious spirit. Additionally, the audiobook version enhances the experience, making it an enjoyable and entertaining listen. Overall, "Ben & Me" offers a fresh perspective on one of history's most fascinating figures, blending historical insight with modern-day reflections.