Describe the scene when Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield (pronounced witt-field) met. Why does the author think this was an important moment? What made these two men important in history? What is the purpose of the book?
The first chapter describes what made this meeting so significant and representative of the era. What was happening in the world the year they met? Why was there so much excitement about Whitefield's coming to Philadelphia? What made him controversial? Describe what made him such an effective preacher, and where he preached. Why was Franklin interested in printing Whitefield's journal and sermons?
Chapter two gives the reader an understanding of how the times and places shaped the two men. Describe Franklin's background and origins and how he ended up in Philadelphia. What kind of city was Philadelphia? Explain his religious views. What did he achieve in business and in public service? What kind of personality did he have? Describe Whitefield's background and origins. What kind of city was Bristol? Describe his religious experience. How did his preaching methods develop? Why did he go to Georgia and what did he do there? How did he publicize his work? What kind of city was London and what success did Whitefield find there?
The next chapter looks at what made Whitefield so effective in print and spoken word. How did Whitefield seek through publicity to shape public attitudes towards his ministry? What made his sermons so effective? How did he tell the Biblical story of Abraham and Isaac? In what way was his message Calvinist? What was new about his preaching style? How did he differ from his friend John Wesley, founder of Methodism?
Chapter four examines why Franklin's writings were so effective and famous. How did Franklin combine wit and moral purpose? How did his pieces on witchcraft and drinking exemplify his writing? How did his proposals for the American Philosophical Society and for a militia show his serious side? How did the Bible and religious writings influence his work?
The fifth chapter explains Whitefield's and Franklin's places in the cultural and intellectual currents of the day. What was the Great Awakening? What role did Whitefield play in it? As religious excitement cooled in the 1740s, how did he defend himself and his ministry? In what ways did Whitefield himself change?
The author describes Franklin as "an avatar of the Enlightenment." What does he mean by that? What was the Enlightenment? How did Franklin's interests reflect its main themes? Describe the importance of his scientific experiments and inventions. Why did they make him internationally famous? What influenced him to propose his plan for a colonial union in 1754? Why was Franklin in London when the Stamp Act was passed? How did he defend the colonies in Parliament, and how successfully? What was the tone of the last letters between Franklin and Whitefield?
The epilogue describes why the author thinks that studying and understanding Franklin and Whitefield helps us understand society today. Describe what the author says are their historical significance and their relevance to life in America today. What themes in communication and religion do their careers represent?