Keen On

As a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin, the Chapman University economist Mark Skousen might be a bit biased. That said, Skousen makes an entertaining case in his new book, The Greatest American, for Franklin as being the most innovative and versatile of the Founding Fathers. Skousen acknowledges Franklin's contradictions: his transition from slave owner to abolitionist, his notoriety as a ladies' man and, above all, his moral philosophy of deploying his private wealth for the public good. What we are left with is the most human and least overtly political of all the Founding Fathers. Five Key Takeaways * Versatile Genius: Franklin excelled in numerous fields, with Skousen identifying 22 different careers including printing, science, diplomacy, and civic leadership, making him uniquely accomplished among American historical figures.* Ethical Capitalism: Franklin represents an ideal capitalist model who made his fortune by age 42, then dedicated the rest of his life to public