Special Alert: I’m excited to announce our full agenda of speakers, panels, debates and special events is now posted online. It took us months to pull this together. Check it out here. FreedomFest is five weeks away: June 11-14, Palm Springs, California. See you there!
“Know him, know us!” — Ken Burns
I’ve written an exciting new book, and to stimulate interest, I offer friends and colleagues the following challenge:
“I’ve written a new book called ‘THE GREATEST AMERICAN: THE WORLD’S MOST VERSATILE GENIUS.’ Who is he or she?”
People give lots of answers. Could it be Thomas Jefferson… George Washington… Thomas Edison… or among living Americans, maybe even Elon Musk (a naturalized citizen)?
Donald Trump would say “me”!
The correct answer is a man who was a scientist, publisher, inventor, diplomat, musician, governor, legislator, military leader, city planner, university founder, humorist, financial guru, and bestselling author… the list goes on and on.
The dustjacket of the book reveals his identity:
Yes, it’s Benjamin Franklin, our founding father! I came up with 22 careers in his lifetime.
I’m happy to announce my new book in hardback (380 pages): “The Greatest American: Benjamin Franklin, The World’s Most Versatile Genius,” published by Republic Books, and yes, it includes an index!
Special Offer on the First Edition
I’m offering a special deal BEFORE the official publication date. It won’t be available on Amazon or in Barnes & Noble before May 27, but you can order now directly at www.skousenbooks.com. Plus, a special gift to the first 100 buyers. See below for details.
I autograph all copies and ship them at no extra charge within the United States.
Ben Franklin Is Relevant Today
In “The Greatest American”, I reveal how Franklin was “the most modern of the founders,” whose views are applicable to today’s hottest issues:
–Why Franklin was a free trader: “No nation was ever ruined by trade.” But as “America’s greatest diplomat” (to quote Ken Burns), Franklin knew how to negotiate “fair trade” deals to benefit both sides!
–Franklin’s greatest fear: “that a king would someday rule over us.” He warned us at the beginning of our young nation: “A republic if you can keep it.” Not a monarchy.
–Franklin predicted that America would become a “great and happy nation” and “the promised land” and would revel in the modern life and new technologies… but would be appalled by big government, the welfare state and the monstrous national debt.
–Franklin’s domestic policy: “A virtuous and industrious people may be cheaply governed.” Do we have cheap government today?
–Franklin’s foreign policy: “The system of America is commerce with all and war with none.” Very idealistic! He was beloved by Canadians, the British, the French, the Chinese and other foreign nationals. He wrote, “Our cause is the cause of all mankind. God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all nations of the earth so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say, this is my country!”
–Is inflation good or bad? Franklin’s surprising modern view that a “little inflation” is good, “a lot of inflation” is bad.
–Franklin’s modern views on religion, his skepticism and how he changed his mind after the American Revolution from a religious heretic to a believing theist.
–Why he hated party politics, and spoke out against the growth of money and power in Washington.
–How he changed his mind about slavery and became a devoted abolitionist, and thought blacks were equal to whites.
–Franklin’s modern view about the sexual revolution — he was a lady’s man extraordinaire and a defender of women’s rights. Did he really abandon his wife Deborah, or did she abandon him? How many illegitimate children did Franklin really have? (Surprisingly, only one!)
–Why he never applied for any patents for his famous inventions. Elon Musk would approve!
–Why George Washington loved Franklin and John Adams despised him. Why he turned against his beloved son, William, and never forgave him.
–His preference for private welfare and charities rather than state-run social programs and welfare.
80 Chapters on All Things Franklin
My book covers every aspect of the founding father’s 84 years — on business, personal finance, investing, science, technology, medicine, economics, politics, international relations, travel, personalities, culture, religion, philosophy, civil duties, charitable giving and his personal life as a father, husband and friend… his triumphs and failures.
Many of the chapters in my book were originally published as a monthly column for the Franklin Prosperity Report, published by Newsmax.
Only one column was censored — my column on Franklin’s torrid sex life. It’s included in the book. See chapter 77, “On Love, Sex and Marriage: Franklin’s Hard-to-Govern Passions.”
I also include one lengthy chapter, “Franklin and his Critics.” Not to be missed!
What Others Are Saying“Few scholars today know Benjamin Franklin as well, or as intimately, as Mark Skousen. That familiarity is on full display in ‘The Greatest American.’ Skousen, a direct descendant of his subject, ranges nimbly across the remarkable breadth of Franklin’s life, from his views on business and economics to education and, yes, sex. Along the way, he makes a compelling case not only for Franklin’s greatness but also for his relevance today. He is the most modern of founders — and the most fun.”– Eric Weiner, author, “Ben and Me”, and former foreign correspondent for NPR.
“Mark Skousen lucidly, delightfully and successfully lays out the life of one the most extraordinary figures in American — and indeed world history. Franklin personified and promoted the characteristics and culture that made America great, especially the drive for self-improvement and inventiveness. His genius for diplomacy was absolutely essential for the success of the American Revolution. The significance of his astonishing scientific achievements, insights and research are only now being fully appreciated. One can only exclaim: What a man!”– Steve Forbes, chairman and editor in chief, Forbes magazine.
“We can’t bring back Ben Franklin. That’s too bad, because America could use him now. Mark Skousen does the next best thing: channeling the spirit of Franklin in this lively and accessible book. Strangers to Franklin will marvel at all he accomplished. Even Franklin experts will benefit from reminders of the breadth of his contributions to American life.”– H. W. Brands, University of Texas at Austin.
“If anyone embodies the Renaissance man, it’s Ben Franklin — printer, scientist, musician, inventor, author, activist, statesman and diplomat. Mark Skousen delves into every facet of his remarkable life, including Franklin’s surprisingly active love life into his eighties, in this lively and entertaining book. Highly recommended!” — Alexander Green, chief investment strategist, The Oxford Club, and author of “Beyond Wealth.”
Get a Super Discount and a Special Bonus
The Franklin book retails for $29.99, but if you buy here, you pay only $24 postpaid.
The first 100 buyers will also receive a free copy of my essay, “Economics of Life Made Simple,” which others have called “the best brief in economics ever written.”
Also: If you buy any additional copies as gifts, you pay only $19 each.
I autograph each copy and mail them at no additional charge if shipped inside the 50 states.
To order, go to www.skousenbooks.com.
Good investing, AEIOU,
Mark Skousen
P.S. Tomorrow at 4 p.m. EST, we’ll reveal how former Wall Street insider and an ex-CIA economist identified one of the most reliable profit strategies observed during President Trump’s first term. Be sure to check your inbox for the full details.
You Nailed it!
By Mark Skousen
Influencer Chuck Muth Wrote a Review of My Book in Five Minutes!
“Thanks for sending me your book. I won’t waste any time reading it.” — Mark Twain
Chuck Muth, an influencer in Las Vegas and a long-time friend, was delighted to review my book in his daily “Nevada News and Views.” He asked for a PDF copy, which I sent immediately.
Within five minutes, he had posted his review of the book!!
How? With the help of AI! He asked an AI service to review the PDF copy, and voilà, in five minutes he had a review, which he posted immediately.
It reminds me of Mark Twain’s famous line, “Thanks for your book. I’ll waste no time reading it.”
You can read the review here.
It’s not bad!
And speaking of Ben Franklin, we will have a special session at this year’s FreedomFest with me interviewing Eric Weiner, author of “Ben and Me,” on “In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life” on Wednesday, June 11, at 1 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Followed by an autograph session by both of us. The full agenda is posted here.
