Benjamin Franklin : An American Life

Additional Benjamin Franklin : An American Life Information

Benjamin Franklin is the founding father who winks at us -- an ambitious urban entrepreneur who rose up the social ladder, from leather-aproned shopkeeper to dining with kings.

In bestselling author Walter Isaacson's vivid and witty full-scale biography, we discover why Franklin turns to us from history's stage with eyes that twinkle from behind his new-fangled spectacles. In Benjamin Franklin, Isaacson shows how Franklin defines both his own time and ours.

The most interesting thing that Franklin invented, and continually reinvented, was himself. America's first great publicist, he was consciously trying to create a new American archetype. In the process, he carefully crafted his own persona, portrayed it in public, and polished it for posterity. His guiding principle was a "dislike of everything that tended to debase the spirit of the common people." Few of his fellow founders felt this comfort with democracy so fully, and none so intuitively.

In this colorful and intimate narrative, Isaacson provides the full sweep of Franklin's amazing life, from his days as a runaway printer to his triumphs as a statesman, scientist, and Founding Father. He chronicles Franklin's tumultuous relationship with his illegitimate son and grandson, his practical marriage, and his flirtations with the ladies of Paris. He also shows how Franklin helped to create the American character and why he has a particular resonance in the twenty-first century.

What Customers Say About Benjamin Franklin : An American Life:

In that book, Isaacson manages to fog up the science because the physics in question obviously overwhelms his ability to comprehend it, much less write about it. Anyone who wants to understand Benjamin Franklin would be well served by reading Steven Johnson's book "The Invention of Air," which is mostly about Joseph Priestley but often mentions Franklin. what. Whatever his motivation, the result is poor.I felt much the same about Isaacson's biography of another intriguing personage: Albert Enstein. Instead, we just get another humdrum biography apparently churned out for a buck. So pedestrian, so conventional, so obviously a poor rehashing of much better Franklin biographies that preceded this one.

Indeed, Franklin was primarily known during his time as a scientist, not a politician/statesman. The Johnson book does a fine job of showing that aspect of Franklin to which the disappointing Isaacson book gives short shrift: Franklin the scientist.The Isaacson biography is also sorely disappointing because it is so. although he tries anyway, to the dismay (and confusion) of the unfortunate reader.But Isaacson, as any layperson, could understand the science that Franklin explored and was so important to in his era. One wonders why Isaacson even bothered to write the book. Money, perhaps. And Isaacson fails to capture that in his book.

Too bad.I do wish Isaacson would stop writing biographies---at least about those people I admire.

Well-written, readable, and balanced. Presents the unappreciated breadth and depth of Franklin's contributions while not glossing over his lack of emotional commitment. The chapter tracing the wax and wane of American appreciation of Franklin with the passage of time alone is nearly worth the price of the book.

The book was not in very good condition. Some pages were very loose and the cover was in just ok shape. I feel the need to buy this book again because I don't like reading a book I have to take such care with that it may fall apart.

This was very listenable with 7 year old staying with 75% of the book. I drive my kids to school and for a half hour twice a day they are a captive audience. She is not mature enough to follow the passages on diplomacy and intrigue but that is expected. Their ages are 7 & 11. I use that time to expose them to American history and literature via audio books. Both children have shared their knowledge of Ben Franklin with their teachers and with family. It is academic enough for the mature reader without the younger listener totally loosing interest.On the squabble meter of 1-5 its a 5 as there were no squabbles caused by disinterest during the drive.On the participation meter of 1-5 its a 5 as we stopped the CD many times as they wanted to discuss topics presented in the book.

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life is bar-none the best biography I have ever read.Walter Isaacson takes us on a journey with Benjamin Franklin from the cradle to the grave, through decades and generations of scientifically and personal achievements, setbacks and misfortunes.The book itself is easy to read, told through chronological glimpses at Benjamin Franklin's life rather than working towards an overall swiping grand achievement, a mistake, I believe, which is done by many biographers. Think of you own life.Do you want think that there is only one story of grand achievement to tell or many little stories which might give the reader a new perspective and an opportunity to know more about you than just a footnote in history.We all know Benjamin Franklin from history classes and the teacher might have mentioned his other notable achievements, however Mr. Franklin had many notable achievements - far too many to mention in a 45 minute classroom. This biography is a terrific sweeping read and full of insights.One of the best points about this book is that Benjamin Franklin, even though a loyal subject to the crown for most of his life, is a contemporary American - or certainly what we think of ourselves as and what we like to achieve: hard working, inventive, brave, curious, a PR maven and rich.A recommended read and a wonderful gift.