The Shoemaker and the Tea Party and Ben Franklin

  I was able to read both books in their entirety.  Both books were very interesting and the one about Ben Franklin was written as an autobiography.  Although the styles were quite different,  I found an underlying theme.  What I learned the most from both of these incredible and amazing individuals ,was that one man, no matter what social class he is born into, can have a tremendous impact on history.  One man can really make a difference in so many ways though his determination, dedication, and integrity. 

George Robert Twelves Hewes struggled to learn his way throughout his childhood.  Once while living with his Aunt and Uncle his cousin struck George.   When George retaliated his Aunt locked him in a barn.  As soon as George got out he confronted the cousin and his Uncle did not punish him for his fair actions.  George was also a forgiving and a kind soul.  He once reported a soldier for steeling goods and when George saw the severe punishment he felt bad for the soldier and would have not reported him if he knew the penalties would have been so severe.  He also was able to forgive.  A man once beat George and left an impressionable mark on George's head.  George did not feel he needed to take his hat off to any man while passing on the streets.  George felt that all men were equal.  The man beat George but when they passed each other in the future on the streets they both greeted each other.   George became politically involved because he felt a strong sense of right and wrong and couldn't sit back and watch while others were mistreated like at the massacre.  He stood up for what he believed to be right and fair.  What he is recognized  in this book is a hero from the Boston Tea Party.  He was on board making a huge political statement and lived to celebrate one hundred years of life.  He was selected for the tea party because he would not be recognized because he was an ordinary citizen.  Who  at the time was  willing to take a huge leap of faith for his beliefs.  One of his favorite sayings was "Early to bed, Early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."  He also practiced the virtues set down by Benjamin Franklin.

The autobiography of Ben Franklin was quite interesting.  I was amazed at his willingness to continue his education throughout reading and his  determination to become a  better person by tallying his virtues by keeping track of them.  I liked the analogy of learning virtues was like weeding gardens.  You could not do all of them at one time.  You need to start in one bed and once that is weeded move onto the next bed.  He used this analogy by learning the virtues.  He would work daily on improving himself.  He put a lot of time aside to read and become educated but did not take a lot of time on things that were not  beneficial to him.  He was early to rise and late to bed putting many hours into the printing press.  However, he was incredibly trusting and brave.  He ran away from being his brother's apprentice, which was unlawful and unheard of at his time.  This took a lot of gumption and pride.  Ben knew what was in his  best interest and wasn't afraid to think or step outside of the box to achieve it.  Through his dedication and hard work many man would trust and ask advice from Benjamin.  He was often asked to meals that were above his social standing.  Ben also questioned religious views and did not accept things preached blindly.  He loved a good argument and often won them.  He was very politically involved once well established and made a good income enabling him to contribute to the war.  Benjamin also reflected and could admit when he made a mistake.  He felt bad and printed that children should receive inoculations.  He lost his four year old son to small pox because he was not inoculated.  He regretted that and wanted other parents to inoculate their children.