The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a book that's been kicking around in my consciousness for a number of years, but that I've never gotten around to reading. I've seen it recommended by a variety of authors, but haven't bitten. Perhaps it's time? Does anybody else have any interest in reading this book? It's not lengthy -- 160 pages or so in most editions.
How can you not like an author who writes about himself:
Hereby, too, I shall indulge the inclination so natural in old men, to be talking of themselves and their own past actions; and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to others, who, through respect to age, might conceive themselves obliged to give me a hearing, since this may be read or not as any one pleases. And, lastly (I may as well confess it, since my denial of it will be believed by nobody), perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity. Indeed, I scarce ever heard or saw the introductory words,"Without vanity I may say," &c., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others that are within his sphere of action; and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life.
If you want to sample the book before deciding whether you want to read it all, here's one source:
http://tinyurl.com/2q5ceq
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I think, therefore I drive people nuts.
