Topic: Benjamin Franklin

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10 best self-help books of all time

From Benjamin Franklin to Norman Vincent Pearle to Stephen Covey, here are 10 of the best self-help books ever written.
Benjamin Franklin: 10 great quotes on his birthday

As Benjamin Franklin's birthday is celebrated on Jan. 17, here are some of the best quotes from the pithy revolutionary, scientist, and writer.
Fall books: 20 nonfiction titles you don't want to miss

From the energy crisis to The Doors, from Hitler’s Germany to Rin Tin Tin, here are the nonfiction titles that have readers buzzing this fall.
In Pictures: Fourth of July traditions
Book club alert: 3 good picks for April

Travel might be broadening, but in this case, it changes the course of three people's lives. The three main characters in this month's fiction roundup were born 100 years apart and on three different continents, but they all end up in the same place – the United States. Two are brought against their will as children and one makes the journey as an adult, 24 years later than she had planned.

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Modern Parenthood
Hugs and happiness: One family's resolution to greet with love

Hugs and happiness: one family's resolution to make coming home a special occasion, and to share their love for each other with warm greetings and farewells. How did the resolution turn out? Read our happiness expert's post to find out.
On anniversary of Osama bin Laden death, did Obama take too much credit?

Critics of Obama's move to politicize his bold decision to kill Osama bin Laden miss a deeper point about leadership.
10 best self-help books of all time

From Benjamin Franklin to Norman Vincent Pearle to Stephen Covey, here are 10 of the best self-help books ever written.
Rights at Risk

Are Americans in the process of abandoning their rights?
Amelia Earhart: Why is Hillary Clinton backing new search? (+video)

Amelia Earhart might have crashed on Nikumaroro island, a private group suggests. Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the US is backing the group's effort to discover the truth.
Green Economics
Ben Franklin: Founding father, inventor, geo-engineer?

Back in 1784, Ben Franklin noted the effect of volcanoes on climate. Was he the world's first geo-engineer?
Editor's Blog
Beyond education: How do you build geniuses?

Developing nations like India are trying to take a great leap forward in education to match their coming leap in population. Can they produce enough good thinkers to produce enough new jobs?
Benjamin Franklin: 10 great quotes on his birthday

As Benjamin Franklin's birthday is celebrated on Jan. 17, here are some of the best quotes from the pithy revolutionary, scientist, and writer.
Robert Reich
OWS: Protest movement is growing

A combination of police crackdowns and bad weather are testing the young Occupy movement. But rumors of its demise are premature, to say the least.
Steve Jobs wanted to change the world, and he did (video)

Steve Jobs, who died Wednesday, seemed to know what people wanted even before they did. From those first boxy little Apple computers 35 years ago to the iPhone and the iPad today, he changed the way we work and play.
Fall books: 20 nonfiction titles you don't want to miss

From the energy crisis to The Doors, from Hitler’s Germany to Rin Tin Tin, here are the nonfiction titles that have readers buzzing this fall.
Steve Jobs and Apple: How his vision transformed the way we work and play

Apple under Steve Jobs launched iconic toys and tools and software, so successful in form and function that competitors stood in awe and customers lined up overnight for the latest gadget.
Postal Service closures: Ben Franklin's post office at risk

Postal Service list of possible closures includes a Philadelphia building once owned by Franklin. It's the only Colonial-themed post office run by the Postal Service.
In Pictures: Fourth of July traditions
Chapter & Verse
David McCullough talks about "The Greater Journey" and some of his own favorite books

One of the ways that biographer David McCullough learns about his subjects is to raid their libraries.
The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris

How 19th-century America’s romance with Paris helped to change the course of US history.
The Ben Franklin solution for the coming age of scarcity

The basic human struggle for freedom, food, and energy will intensify on a global scale over the next few years. Doing more with less must become our mantra.
The Circle Bastiat
High-functioning 'short sleepers' make good entrepreneurs

Up to three percent of the population needs fewer than six hours of sleep each night to function well. Being highly productive and having plenty of time are advantages for an entrepreneur.
Book club alert: 3 good picks for April

Travel might be broadening, but in this case, it changes the course of three people's lives. The three main characters in this month's fiction roundup were born 100 years apart and on three different continents, but they all end up in the same place – the United States. Two are brought against their will as children and one makes the journey as an adult, 24 years later than she had planned.
'Snooki' Polizzi? Nope. Try these 10 weirdest New Year's Eve celebrations.

'Snooki' Polizzi or a big Times Square ball? Please. How about a fish, a rodent, or an enormous roll of lunch meat? When these cities party on New Year's Eve, they get creative.
Reader recommendation: The Lees of Virginia

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
Chapter & Verse
Cleopatra: the true story

"Cleopatra" biographer Stacy Schiff talks about the real face of one of the most powerful women ever to live.
The 10 weirdest political ads of 2010

From demon sheep to witchcraft denials, this has been one crazy election season. And nowhere has the looniness been more on display than in the candidates' carefully crafted TV spots. Here is our list of the top 10 weirdest ads of 2010.
Stephen Colbert and laughable politics: Five comedians who ran for office

American politics have been the subject of satire since before the country's founding. These days the US benefits from a healthy dose of humorous political commentary, but when the jokers run for political office (jokingly of course, right?) some funny things can happen. Here are five memorable ones.
Who deserves blame for the bad economy? We do.

By neglecting Ben Franklin’s gospel of thrift, Americans got into trouble.