A mention of flatulence might conjure images of bratty high school boys or lowbrow comics. But one of the most eloquent - and least expected - commentators on the subject is Benjamin Franklin. The writings in Fart Proudly reveal the rogue who lived peaceably within the philosopher and statesman. Included are "The Letter to a Royal Academy"; "On Choosing a Mistress"; "Rules on Making Oneself Disagreeable"; and other jibes. Franklin's irrepressible wit found an outlet in perpetrating hoaxes, attacking marriage and other sacred cows, and skewering the English Parliament. Reminding us of the humorous, irreverent side of this American icon, these essays endure as both hilarious satire and a timely reminder of the importance of a free press.

This book is just what the title says. Not ALL of the writings are as rare as you think but I would say most of it is unknown on a High School level. By college a lot of this should be known by anybody who knows American History or is a fan of Benjamin Franklin. There is humor but also a message in each piece, showing Mr. Franklin's views on the subject of the press, government and how to live life. Now, why did I take away a star? Because the last chapter is not by Mr. Franklin. The last chapter is Carl Japikse using the ghost of Mr. Franklin as a mouth piece. While I agree with much of what he raves against, mostly about his view on the modern mass media, this space could have been used to hold something by Mr. Franklin. That is who the book is about, after all.

The book starts out great but ends in boringville... It's good to see the humorous side of Ben, but the author should have articulated a little better. The majority of the book is full of letters writtien in the hard to understand english of the day. The author could have translated and added more iput and guidance as to what they meant...

Smirking and yet Confused...

I have to say that I rather enjoyed reading Franklin's lesser known works/letters. At one point I was even chuckling out loud.

However the book was ruined at the end by the editor's own political agenda. He assumes to many things and discredits his own opinion about the freedom of speech (if it is true that no one is allowed to speak their mind or are afraid - how is it that you got published).

My recommendation is to rip out that section of the book and enjoy what a gifted writer and thinker has to say - Ben Franklin

The last chapter is the best one and the only one that at all references the title (fortunately). Some of this is better for people who already have some background in the period. I would not recommend this book for anybody who does not have an interest in the history and politics of the era of the American Revolution. If you love Ben Franklin, as I do, then this book is a must-read.

Benjamin Franklin, as I knew him (mostly from elementary school TV cartoons), was a busy old man who spent his time inventing stoves and bifocals, getting electrocuted by lightning, writing newspapers, and admonishing us to work hard and "unite or die".

Franklin, it turns out, was also a brilliant humorist and satirist. The opening essay of "Fart Proudly", suggesting the Royal Academy of Brussels drop their efforts on cute mathematical theorems and focus instead on finding ways to make farts smell pleasant, is a riot. Franklin tops it later in his essay "On Choosing a Mistress", which expands upon the merits of older women ("there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produced may be attended with much Inconvenience." "covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old one from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure or corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of improvement.")

Once you get used to the style, the book goes very quickly, and you can read it in an afternoon easily. And, in addition to being a deep repository of wit, the book is also a fun history lesson, as through a variety of Franklin's satirical essays on politics ("Three Fables", "Rules by Which A Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One", "Transporting Rattlesnakes") you can see the evolution of Franklin's grievances with Britain from a perspective far more entertaining than a history text.

My only complaint is that Japiske, the editor, is an ignoramus, and exactly the kind of gentleman Franklin would have gone out of his way to mock mercilessly in print.