Politics

Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography is a first-person account of his life from humble beginnings as a printer's apprentice to his roles as inventor, scientist, statesman, and diplomat. Written in stages between 1771 and 1788 and first published posthumously, the work is a foundational American memoir illustrating Enlightenment values, self-improvement, and the emergence of the self-made man.

4h 46m reading time

A short political treatise offering pragmatic advice to new princes and rulers on acquiring and maintaining power, often advocating pragmatic, sometimes ruthless measures. Written in the Renaissance context of Italian city-states, it is a foundational work in modern political theory and realpolitik that has influenced debates about statecraft and morality for centuries.

3h 5m reading time