Russell Freedman Frees the Past and Makes it a Present
Russell Freedman, master of narrative nonfiction and winner of the Sibert Medal, has been thinking of writing about Benjamin Franklin for awhile. As he labored on his books about the colonial and revolutionary periods in American history, it became clear that "Franklin is the most appealing of the founding fathers." Freedman asks "Who can resist a fellow who, as a young boy, sends a kite aloft and lets it pull him across a pond, and as an elderly man, works out daily with dumbbells?"
Certainly not Russell Freedman. In addition to his personal accomplishments, Franklin is also one of the most documented individuals in American history. In addition to his autobiography, "his life story encapsulates the history of his time," notes the author. "He was the only Founding Father to sign all four of the documents that led to the creation of the United States--the Declaration of Independence, the treaty of alliance with France, the peace treaty with England, and the U.S. Constitution." As impressive as that is, Franklin the man is an engaging and fascinating study: "his striving for perfection, his acceptance of his faults and failings, his willingness to change long-held convictions, and his bemused and tolerant view of the human condition--offer timeless lessons in how to lead a useful and satisfying life."
The vast amount of material on Benjamin Franklin's life, opinions, activities and more presents a special challenge to the biographer. Freedman confides that he looks "especially for actual quotes--what people said or wrote about themselves and others--which take the place of dialogue in nonfiction, and for eye-witness accounts of scenes and events." He often finds unexpected information, "For instance, I was surprised to read Franklin's acknowledgment that he himself could not always live up to the standards of conduct put forth with such certitude in his Autobiography (if he can't, who can?), an insight into his character that informed my portrayal of him." This revelation prompts another from the author: "I usually start out with a fairly clear idea of where I think the book is going to go, and usually change my mind (like Franklin) as the research reveals its surprises."
In the end, what makes a nonfiction book successful is including information that "speaks to the interests, experience, and aspirations of a young reader and to recognize those elements, the author must be able to imagine himself as a youngster, to remember what it was like." It is not surprising that Freedman has proven himself a past master at looking at his subjects with a child's eyes to help him refine and shape the story into a compelling narrative. In spite of his many prizes, he comments that "The biggest reward is hearing from a young reader who has been moved, or entertained, or informed enough to write a letter to the author." What has stuck with him? "The most memorable question I've received came from a fifth grader who wrote: 'Dr. Mr. Freedman, I read your biography of Abraham Lincoln and liked it very much. Did you take the photographs yourself?'"
Why did this child think that Russell Freedman was the photographer? It might have been a lack of understanding of exactly when Lincoln lived or perhaps it is a testament to Freedman's credibility and storytelling prowess. "Human beings have always known what makes history come alive: the spoken or sung or written story--the narrative telling and retelling of deeds great and small." He adds that "A story well told engages and convinces the listener or reader. That's why the word "history" is made up mostly of the word 'story.'"
Narrative nonfiction plays an important part in encouraging children to read history. Freedman encourages teachers, librarians and parents to "lead kids to well written books of narrative history that will engage their interest, keep them turning the pages through the transformative magic of storytelling, and convert them into lifelong history buffs."
Russell Freedman's respect for librarians is rooted deep in his own past. His father was a West Coast sales manager for Macmillan when he was growing up. He sometimes took the future author with him as he visited libraries up and down the coast. "It was always a big adventure I looked forward to: We would walk into a library in Modesto or Sacramento or wherever, where Dad always knew the librarian, and I would be treated like an important guest." He remembers that "The librarian would greet me, sit me down, ask about my interests, and bring over two or three books for me to enjoy while Dad and the librarian retired to the office to talk about the upcoming Macmillan list." The young and hungry reader "came to regard librarians as co-conspirators and great friends, a conviction that influenced my choice of a career and which I have never had an occasion to question."
-- Interviewed by Ellen Myrick, 2013
