About the Book
What is the way to wealth? And... how do you get there? Benjamin Franklin has a few ideas. He did write the book after all.
There are quite literally thousands of tomes that purport to point the way, but it was Ben Franklin who collected the golden rules he peppered throughout his wildly popular Poor Richard's Almanac and produced a perennial best-seller in 1758, The Way to Wealth, or Poor Richard Improved. Today in 2024, The Way to Wealth: Benjamin Franklin on Matters of Money and Lessons on Livelihood is a new spin on the classic and reimagines the narrative in the modern day with avatars for virtues and vices that help or hinder us in seeking one's own fortune... in whatever we find of value. Additionally, the book includes Franklin's original text with new illustrations.
Adapted and illustrated by Tim E. Ogline, MBA, this graphic novel is a companion to his highly regarded Ben Franklin for Beginners. Ogline's first book about Ben Franklin has been called "beguiling" by Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph J. Ellis and a "must read" by former Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. The book has also been called "nothing short of totally brilliant" by Geekadelphia. Additionally, Tim Ogline is the co-author and artist of We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Story, called "vital reading" by Publishers Weekly and "moving and important" by Kirkus.
About the Author :
Born in 1706 to humble origins, the young Benjamin Franklin made his way into the world with a sense of purpose and an awareness of what he was capable of. These qualities became self-evident and increasingly apprarent to the world around him as his abilities matured. The runaway teen who left his boyhood Boston for Philadelphia proved his developing talents as a prolific writer, printer and future publisher... famous for his Autobiography, Poor Richard's Almanac, and The Pennsylvania Gazette among others. He was also an inventor and scientist; Franklin was the genial genius... an affable common man who just happened to be the smartest person in almost any room he entered. He conducted groundbreaking work in electricity and made innovations that led to practical devices such as bifocals, swim fins, the lightning rod, the Franklin Stove, and the flexible catheter among other inventions in use to this day.After retiring from business at the age of 42, it was Benjamin Franklin as Public Citizen for his remaining 42 years that ultimately led to his role as Statesman and Founder... He helped make the case for the ultimate severance of political ties to Great Britain and for America to take up arms in defense of her liberty. He was present at the creation of a new nation and helped construct the foundation of what the United States would one day become as a beacon of freedom. Tim E. Ogline is a Greater Philadelphia-based writer and illustrator as well as design professional. His first book, "Ben Franklin For Beginners," has been called "beguiling" by Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph J. Ellis and a "must read" by former Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell as well as "nothing short of absolutely brilliant" by Geekadelphia. Ogline holds an MBA from Temple University's Fox School of Business. Ogline is additionally an alumnus of Temple University's Tyler School of Art and has previously taught there as well as at Moore College of Art & Design. Tim is additionally a past president and member of the South Jersey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution as well as a member of the Sons of Union Civil War Veterans.Ogline's illustrations (timogline.com) have appeared in "The Wall Street Journal," "Institutional Investor," "The Philadelphia Inquirer," the "Utne Reader," "Outdoor Life," "Philadelphia Style," "Loyola Lawyer," "How Magazine," and "Mensa Bulletin" among others.Tim Ogline's award-winning design practice, Ogline Design (www.ogline.design), has served clients including Historic Philadelphia, the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, The White House, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, the Wharton School, the National Governors Association, and many more with creative solutions that have ranged from identity design to publication design to website development.
Review :
"This might be the most fun I've had reading Ben Franklin's work, let alone learning the additional history and context! Tim Ogline has created something really special here, bringing a timeless classic into the modern era with loads of imagination, creativity, and clear respect for the source. Will buy more copies to give as gifts, especially to recent graduates and new entrepreneurs."
- Alex Hillman, Author of Tiny MBA, Business Educator and Coach, Community Builder
"Few works from the past remain universally applicable, but Franklin's common sense continues to inspire self-help books today, meaning much of what he had to say remains of value. Ogline's personification of Franklin is a charming host giving much to consider."
- Frank Plowright, Slings and Arrows Graphic Novel Guide
"Tim Ogline has produced yet another very important work helping modern readers discover and relate to events and words from the past that are important today - and enjoy the process. Ogline's choice of words and his illustrations that highlight their meaning and importance keep the reader's attention and encourage thoughtful involvement. This is not merely a book to sit and enjoy idly for a spell, but one to stimulate additional thought and reflection in an enjoyable way. While valuable to all, I would especially recommend this book to anyone contemplating almost any situation in their life where a decision or action is required. Readers who allow themselves to seek guidance from it will have many 'Ah, Ha' moments and will thank both Franklin and Ogline."
- William L. Kidder, Author of Ten Crucial Days, Revolutionary Princeton, and The Revolutionary World of a Free Black Man: Jacob Francis
"Today, the relevance of learning American History is often questioned. To make early American history engaging for current and future generations, Tim Ogline has repackaged Benjamin Franklin's The Way to Wealth into an entertaining graphic novel, The Way to Wealth, Benjamin Franklin on Matters of Money & Lessons on Livelihood. Illustrated beautifully, this graphic novel presents Franklin's timeless advice in a fresh way that appeals to young readers. It includes both a modern interpretation of Father Abraham's speech and the original text with contemporary illustrations. I thoroughly enjoyed Tim Ogline's work and believe you will too!"
- Brooks Lyles, National Society Sons of the American Revolution International District Vice President General
"Benjamin Franklin wrote THE WAY TO WEALTH with the thought of being useful to those struggling to make their way in the world. It offers a lot of good advice: so good that some people are still quoting it almost 300 years later. Tim Ogline offers, in a lively graphic-novel format, this classic work, recasting it in a 21st-century format for a new generation. Franklin thought that books ought to be either instructive or entertaining. Mr. Ogline manages to make this old self-help pamphlet a bit more of each."
- B.J. Pryor, Portrayer of Benjamin Franklin
