Discover how Benjamin Franklin’s scientific method challenged a certain Dr. Mesmer’s mysterious powers in a whimsical look at a true moment in history.
The day Ben Franklin first set foot in Paris, France, he found the city all abuzz. Everyone was talking about something new—remarkable, thrilling, and strange. Something called . . . Science!
But soon the straightforward American inventor Benjamin Franklin is upstaged by a compelling and enigmatic figure: Dr. Mesmer. In elaborately staged shows, Mesmer, wearing a fancy coat of purple silk and carrying an iron wand, convinces the people of Paris that he controls a magic force that can make water taste like a hundred different things, cure illness, and control thoughts! But Ben Franklin is not convinced. Will his practical approach of observing, hypothesizing, and testing get to the bottom of the mysterious Mesmer’s tricks? A rip-roaring, lavishly illustrated peek into a fascinating moment in history shows the development and practice of the scientific method—and reveals the amazing power of the human mind.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Thoroughly engaging and perfect for teaching.
By Heidi Grange
The kind of nonfiction being published for children these days seems to get better and better. This is a wonderfully fun book as well as being a perfect book for teaching the scientific method. History and science all in one book, Mesmerized presents the interesting story of Ben Franklin helping the king and queen of France to expose a fraud who was convincing many people to pay money to use 'a force' to 'help' people with illnesses or even just the curious experience this 'force'. Ben Franklin used the scientific method to show that there was no such force, just the power of people's mind and the power of expectation. Today we call this the placebo effect, something the author explains at the end of the book.I especially enjoyed the creative illustrations that beautifully complemented the text. It was fun to see some of the comparisons the author and illustrator made like Ben Franklin as an apple pie and Dr. Mesmer as a layered torte which the illustrator took from the text and illustrated. This book has a multitude of teaching possibilities, everything from history, science, and the power of words and pictures together. A definite winner of a book and I loved it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.Truly mesmerizing!
By Brenda
My almost 7 year old grandson was, in fact, mesmerized by this book. It prompted a host of thoughtful questions, leading to rich discussion after reading it through several times - in a row. He asked to take it home, and brought it into school to share with his class.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful.Packed with information about Franklin, 18th-century science, and the scientific method
By Janet Hamilton
Summary: We all know Benjamin Franklin traveled to France during the American Revolution, but this book delves into one of the scientific marvels he witnessed there. An Austrian doctor named Franz Mesmer was wowing Europeans with his new technique called mesmerizing, which he claimed could people into a suggestive trance. He would then tell them what to do, including healing themselves of diseases. Franklin was intrigued by this process, and arranged to have a demonstration with Mesmer’s assistant. Using the scientific method, Ben blindfolded people and was able to prove that their reactions to “mesmerization” were actually caused by their own minds. Franklin reported his findings to the king, and soon after, Mesmer left France.Pros: Not only is this book packed with information about Benjamin Franklin, 18th-century science, and the scientific method, but it is presented in a way that is both interesting and aesthetically pleasing. The text is in different fonts, with words of varying sizes, and occasional sidebars to explain various concepts. The illustrations are both beautiful and amusing.Cons: The author’s note, while fascinating, was a bit overlong for the average 21st-century attention span.
