WHAT I LIKED:
- Benjamin Franklin. He is an absolutely amazing person, whose splendid character shines forth in his own writings and the descriptions of his activities. Even one of Franklin’s famous rivals, John Adams, later in life said, “There is scarce a scratch of his pen that is not worth preserving.”
- The narrative style approach. This isn’t a boring book that simply chronicles what happened and when. It is like a story, and despite being so comprehensive, it doesn’t seem long enough. It gets more and more exciting as you go through it, even showing hints of a spy novel at one point. While I typically don’t read biographies more than once, this is a book I will likely read many times again.
- The technical detail. As Franklin was an inventor, the author could have been excused for glossing over many of the technical details of his inventions. But he doesn’t do that. The author presents the information in a way that any person can understand. It makes the reader appreciate Franklin all that much more.
- Time travel. This book takes you back to 18th century America, and you feel very close to the many famous personalities who helped in forming the country. The author has done a wonderful job in making something so distant seem so accessible. You get a taste for England and France from that time period as well.
- Reference material. In reading this book, you come across a lot of names. There are many people who had the pleasure to meet Franklin, and one thing I started doing in the course of reading was looking up many of these people. I was surprised to find out how famous and influential they were. And wouldn’t you know it, the author provides a nice glossary at the end which gives a brief description of each character. There are some nice photos and paintings included as well.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
- Snide commentary. There are many, many instances of where ill motives are erroneously ascribed to Franklin. The author many times attacks Franklin’s own autobiography, saying he wasn’t entirely honest. And these criticisms are of minor points, such as the way Franklin characterized his own parents. I would have preferred the author save his judgments for a separate chapter instead of interweaving it throughout the narrative.
- Gossip column/Tabloid reporting. There is one section of this book in particular which was done in very poor taste. Without giving away too many details, imagine if your worst enemy hacked your email account, took your personal correspondence and then sent it to others. And then imagine that this enemy put their own comments in parentheses after each paragraph. This describes a major section of this book, dealing particularly with Franklin’s time in England. The author obviously invested much time and effort in writing this book, and so he has a right to formulate opinions. But the manner in which they were inserted in some places was very off-putting, due particularly to the fact that I considered the negative comments to be completely off base.
- Chastising of Franklin’s character. By all accounts, Franklin was a stand-up guy who had affection for everyone. Perhaps in having little to criticize, the author decided to take issue with the fact that Franklin was friendlier and more open in his dealings with his friends than he was with his family. The author wants you to think that Franklin liked his friends more than his family. But in reality, the level of interaction doesn’t necessarily equate to affection. We make friends with equals, whereas our family members are either our dependents or our superiors. We treat dependents differently than we do friends. The famous Indian philosopher Chanakya said that disciples and children should never be coddled; only criticized. This is for their own good. Franklin seemed to follow a similar approach, though he wasn’t very harsh. To me the way he treated his family is actually a sign of his great affection for them, and not the other way around.
VERDICT:
A lot of the commentary I didn’t like had footnotes to it, suggesting that perhaps the author was merely passing on the opinions of previous historians. Despite the few negatives, this is an excellent book. I first read the “A Benjamin Franklin Reader” book by the same author, and that interested me enough to purchase this one. Franklin wrote and did so much that one book could never do him justice, but this is a great start. I give many thanks to the author for taking the time to compile this wonderful and insightful work.
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Audible sampleSampleBenjamin Franklin: An American LifeAudio CD – Abridged, October 7, 2017
by
Walter Isaacson
(Author),
Boyd Gaines
(Reader)
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In this authoritative and engrossing full-scale biography, Walter Isaacson, bestselling author ofEinsteinandSteve Jobs,shows how the most fascinating of America's founders helped define our national character.
Benjamin Franklin is the founding father who winks at us, the one who seems made of flesh rather than marble. In a sweeping narrative that follows Franklin’s life from Boston to Philadelphia to London and Paris and back, Walter Isaacson chronicles the adventures of the runaway apprentice who became, over the course of his eighty-four-year life, America’s best writer, inventor, media baron, scientist, diplomat, and business strategist, as well as one of its most practical and ingenious political leaders. He explores the wit behindPoor Richard’s Almanacand the wisdom behind the Declaration of Independence, the new nation’s alliance with France, the treaty that ended the Revolution, and the compromises that created a near-perfect Constitution.
In this colorful and intimate narrative, Isaacson provides the full sweep of Franklin’s amazing life, showing how he helped to forge the American national identity and why he has a particular resonance in the twenty-first century.
Benjamin Franklin is the founding father who winks at us, the one who seems made of flesh rather than marble. In a sweeping narrative that follows Franklin’s life from Boston to Philadelphia to London and Paris and back, Walter Isaacson chronicles the adventures of the runaway apprentice who became, over the course of his eighty-four-year life, America’s best writer, inventor, media baron, scientist, diplomat, and business strategist, as well as one of its most practical and ingenious political leaders. He explores the wit behindPoor Richard’s Almanacand the wisdom behind the Declaration of Independence, the new nation’s alliance with France, the treaty that ended the Revolution, and the compromises that created a near-perfect Constitution.
In this colorful and intimate narrative, Isaacson provides the full sweep of Franklin’s amazing life, showing how he helped to forge the American national identity and why he has a particular resonance in the twenty-first century.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
- Publication dateOctober 7, 2017
- Dimensions5.13 x 0.9 x 5.88 inches
- ISBN-101508250596
- ISBN-13978-1508250593
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This book is about the life of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of America, who was a writer, inventor, media baron, scientist, diplomat, and business strategist.
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How does one live a life that is useful, virtuous, worthy, moral, and spiritually meaningful?2,180 Kindle readers highlighted thisPopular highlight
History is a tale, Franklin came to believe, not of immutable forces but of human endeavors.2,055 Kindle readers highlighted thisPopular highlight
“He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.”1,838 Kindle readers highlighted this
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The New York Times Book Review" A thoroughly researched, crisply written, convincingly argued chronicle.
"The New York Times" In its common sense, clarity and accessibility, it is a fitting reflection of Franklin's sly pragmatism....This may be the book that most powerfully drives a new pendulum swing of the Franklin reputation.
"The New Yorker" Energetic, entertaining, and worldly.
"The Washington Post Book World" The most readable full-length Franklin biography available.
"The New York Times" In its common sense, clarity and accessibility, it is a fitting reflection of Franklin's sly pragmatism....This may be the book that most powerfully drives a new pendulum swing of the Franklin reputation.
"The New Yorker" Energetic, entertaining, and worldly.
"The Washington Post Book World" The most readable full-length Franklin biography available.
From the Artist
Walter Isaacson
Product details
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Audio; Abridged edition (October 7, 2017)
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1508250596
- ISBN-13 : 978-1508250593
- Item Weight : 5.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.13 x 0.9 x 5.88 inches
- Best Sellers Rank:#1,328,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,024 inAmerican Revolution Biographies (Books)
- #2,644 inScientist Biographies
- #5,537 inBooks on CD
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
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Walter Isaacson is writing a biography of Elon Musk. He is the author of The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race; Leonardo da Vinci; Steve Jobs; Einstein: His Life and Universe; Benjamin Franklin: An American Life; The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution; and Kissinger: A Biography. He is also the coauthor of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made. He is a Professor of History at Tulane, has been CEO of the Aspen Institute, chairman of CNN, and editor of Time magazine.
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
5,033 global ratings
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the character remarkable and interesting. They also describe the content as wonderfully researched, intimate, and balanced. Readers describe the reading experience as great and hard working. They appreciate the writing style as very well written with explanations on every single page. They find the narrative engaging and provide a decent amount of jumping points. However, some customers feel the book is boring, heavy, and laborious.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
223 customers mention "Reading experience"223 positive0 negative
Customers find the book a great read, satisfying, and a good work that serves as a solid starting point. They also say it's impressive from cover to cover.
"...I give many thanks to the author for taking the time to compile thiswonderfuland insightful work. "Read more
"Well done by the author.A very readable biography of an extremely interesting subject.... "Read more
"...Overall, it was agood workthat serves as a solid starting point for Franklin's life.... "Read more
"...Isaacson’s “Benjamin Franklin,” they called it “themost readable full-length Franklin biographyavailable.” I must wholeheartedly agree.... "Read more
181 customers mention "Content"178 positive3 negative
Customers find the book wise, insightful, and comprehensive. They also describe the author as a provocative diplomat, practical scientist, salacious epicure, and a wonderful way for present day Americans to learn about Benjamin Franklin. Readers also mention the book is factually accurate and an intimate portrait of a brilliant, but flawed man.
"...There are somenice photos and paintings includedas well.WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:- Snide commentary.... "Read more
"...Generally, he seemed to befactually accurateand his writing style was interesting enough to attract a reader who may not be prone to read history... "Read more
"...Finally, Franklin’sunique blend of intelligence,wit, compromise, and bonhomie made him, in Isaacson’s estimation, “the greatest American diplomat..."Read more
"...I realized that Franklin waswise and insightful.He was a true super-mastermind, or a "Polymath."... "Read more
178 customers mention "Narrative"168 positive10 negative
Customers find the narrative engaging, edifying, and balanced. They appreciate the way Isaacson divides the topics and follow Franklin's life chronologically. Readers also say the book provides a decent amount of jumping points to find out more about Franklin.
"...Thenarrative style approach.This isn’t a boring book that simply chronicles what happened and when.... "Read more
"Well done by the author. A very readable biography of anextremely interesting subject.... "Read more
"...The writing style of the author was easy andgenerally engagingdespite the fact that I thought he had a weak beginning.... "Read more
"...It is captivating andfilled to over flowing with inspiration.Mr. Isaacson writes about Franklin's brilliant genius as a nation builder.... "Read more
142 customers mention "Writing style"127 positive15 negative
Customers find the book well-written, easy to understand, and academic enough for mature readers. They also say it presents a clear, crisp, and engaging biography of Benjamin Franklin.
"...And wouldn’t you know it, theauthor provides a nice glossaryat the end which gives a brief description of each character.... "Read more
"...Generally, he seemed to be factually accurate and hiswriting style was interesting enoughto attract a reader who may not be prone to read history... "Read more
"...Overall this book waswell writtenand interesting.... "Read more
"...read but I settled on 4 stars because the book, even thoughvery well writtenand even though Franklin was probably the most gifted and the most... "Read more
33 customers mention "Character"33 positive0 negative
Customers find the character remarkable, worthy, and colorful. They also appreciate the great cast of characters and say the book does not disappoint.
"WHAT I LIKED:- Benjamin Franklin. He is anabsolutely amazing person,whose splendid character shines forth in his own writings and the... "Read more
"...Afascinating characterwho can be credited with playing the most important role in America winning the Revolutionary War.... "Read more
"...Isaacson’s work in this biography is excellent and certainlyworthy of his reputationas one of the preeminent biographers of our day.... "Read more
"...He was a" Renaissance Man "in every sense of the term: abrilliant statesman,eminent scientist, and peripatetic sage of the Enlightenment.... "Read more
25 customers mention "Humor"25 positive0 negative
Customers find the humor in the book amusing, sweet, and cheeky. They also describe the biography as respectful and cheekily cheeky, with wit, charm, and public service.
"...Finally, Franklin’s unique blend of intelligence,wit,compromise, and bonhomie made him, in Isaacson’s estimation, “the greatest American diplomat..."Read more
"...of this founding father was told in a style which is both engaging,humorous,and touching.... "Read more
"...which of them to credit more for the book’ssimultaneously enlightening and entertaining manner."Read more
"...I find this rather inspiring. And Isaacsonwrites with a good deal of humor.No least because of Franklin's lifelong propensity to take... "Read more
16 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive6 negative
Customers are mixed about the pacing. Some find the biography fast and educational, while others say it drags and is tedious to read.
"...of the book starts out slow but once he gets moving then hekeeps a strong steady pace.... "Read more
"Book although used in excellent condition...very long...sometimes tedious reading,however so interesting to have details that were omitted when I... "Read more
"Great biography… plete..detailed..interesting….theflow is longbut the chronology is amazing.... "Read more
"...Lots of research went into this book, but itflows well despite the scholarly basis.... "Read more
30 customers mention "Entertainment value"0 positive30 negative
Customers find the book boring, laborious, and off-putting. They also say the reader could be more entertaining and the book drones on. Customers also mention that the style is dry and chopped up. Overall, they feel the book misses the mark.
"...But the manner in which they were inserted in some places wasvery off-putting,due particularly to the fact that I considered the negative... "Read more
"...Now let me share what I did not like. The firstchapters read a bit like the Bible.This Franklin begat that Franklin. Yada yada.... "Read more
"...of criticism: in terms of psychological insight, thebook leaves you a little bit wanting.... "Read more
"...In a word about Isaason, wow!This wasnot always easy readingbecause one finds that time for thought is required for juxtaposing one's... "Read more
Reviews with images
4 Stars
Great book so far but bought it as new and...
Great book so far but bought it as new and it has underline marks in it! Not pleased as I’m rather particular about my books...especially when I purposely bought a “new” copy!
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2024
Well done by the author. A very readable biography of an extremely interesting subject. Great delivery with the subject matter divided into short and tidy chapters. The list of characters at the end is a great reference if you lose track of who is who along the way. I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2013
Recently, I have been spending time exploring the lives of America's founding fathers. Benjamin Franklin was someone that I thought I knew. In grade school we learn about the pithy Philladelphia boy who rose from poverty to wealth, flew a kite in a rain storm, and became an immortal figure in the "Pantheon" of the American founders. However, I discovered that I really did not know Franklin very well at all; the one-dimensional description that I knew was not sufficient to capture the essence of this complicated man. Walter Isaacson carefully depicts one of the most controversial and beloved founders in our history. Isaacson is not a historian but he certainly does a great job and often proves to be objective in his analysis; albeit, not as objective as I would always liked him to have been. There are many admirable qualities about this work and there are a few things that I thought could have made the book a much stronger work. Here are a few pros and cons about the book that might help you in your decision to purchase it.
Isaacson is very passionate for his subject and that is something that he cannot keep veiled very well. The beginning of the book starts out slow but once he gets moving then he keeps a strong steady pace. It is refreshing to see a writer with so much enthusiasm for his subject and while some historians frown on that; I don't. I like the way he traces Franklin's life and family history. In fact, his family history really gives us a context for understanding the way Franklin thought and acted. His strong puritanical upbringing did not make him a religious man, but it did tend to create a desire to be socially proactive. In fact, I appreciate the way that Isaacson traced the religious journey of Franklin and I wish that more authors would concentrate on this aspect of the political/ social figures they are writing about. Franklin's religious life is not one that is static but rather one that was constantly evolving and moving towards a more coherent view. His religion like everything else in his life, was strongly pragmatic. In many ways, we find in Dr. Franklin that strong American pragmatism that has come to define the American people in the past and present.
Franklin's home life was a very slippery slope and it was difficult to know what to make of his relationship with family. Franklin had a son born out of wedlock and their relationship was rocky thoughout his life, and particularly at the latter end. He had a grandson by this son that was also born out of wedlock and yet he loved this boy, perhaps even more than his own son. His marriage to Deborah was also very strange. Some historians have concluded or at least suggested that Franklin did not love her. He spent years of his life away from her and his letters do not reveal a tender affection towards her. Yet, Isaacson suggests that there is a way in which Franklin did regard her. Many have painted him as a philanderer whose nefarious dalliances and sexual escapades are among the most outrageous among the founders. Isaacson suggests that while Franklin certainly had emotional affairs that he remained faithful to his wife. To be honest with you, it seems a little difficult to believe. It is hard to imagine that a man who sits in a bathtub with another woman is not physically involved with her. I think he is right that we should assume that Franklin was probably not as wild as he is taken to be, but I am not convinced of his monogamy. This was an area where I felt the authors personal feelings for his subject may have interfered with his better judgment.
The writing style of the author was easy and generally engaging despite the fact that I thought he had a weak beginning. There were a few discrepancies that caught my attention and I will have to read a great deal more about this topic to be certain. Most people know that John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were selected to help Thomas Jefferson in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Most historians seem to suggest that Adams was the one who really pushed for Jefferson to write it and states his reasons as: 1. Jefferson is a Virginian and a Virginian should be at the head of this business. 2. Jefferson was liked while he thought himself to be obnoxious and not well liked by many in Congress. 3. Jefferson is a far more eloquent writer than the others. Isaacson suggests that it was Franklin who said this not Adams. This seems to be a mistake as Franklin is the one who is thought to have suggested Jefferson change "sacred and inviolable" to "inalienable" because the former smacked of the pulpit. I think that it was in fact Adams who stated the three basic reasons that Jefferson should write the document. Franklin was not obnoxious and seemed to always be generally well thought of and that alone caused me to question Isaacson on this point. There were other small issues that I wondered about through the book. Generally, he seemed to be factually accurate and his writing style was interesting enough to attract a reader who may not be prone to read history books.
I was happy to see that this writer spent a great deal of time salvaging the reputation of Franklin. His reputation has suffered as he is often portrayed as an intelligent man that prone to buffoonery. Certainly, he had a sense of humor and he could be somewhat crude. The funniest piece I read was his fake letter to the royal academy of farts. However, to see Franklin as a mere jester is to miss the force of his convictions, visions, and political prowess. Franklin had the foresight to see that America needed to unite along the lines of the Iroquois Confederacy long before many others. He was a man who believed in internal improvements, pragmatic scientific discovery, and a strong middle class. His vision for this nation has been a strong guidepost for two centuries of American thought. His work as a diplomat in France is a model for modern diplomacy. He was a fox when it came to dealing with other humans and his penchant for compromise is what helped to give us the constitution that we know have.
Overall, it was a good work that serves as a solid starting point for Franklin's life. He honored Franklin and while he was often soft on his shortcomings he did not altogether deny them. His portrayal of Adams seemed a little warped and his dislike of Adams bled through the descriptions. While I know that Adams had a side that made him a hard man to deal with, I did not always feel that he gave hm enough credit. His ending was solid and I love the way that he wrapped up the loose ends by explaining what happened to Franklin's family and close friends. It would have been nice if the book had included images so as to see some of the people that are discussed throughout the book. These are just minor complaints and do not detract from the work in any significant way.I will give it 1 star for readablity, 1 star for solid research, 1 star for bibliography, and 1 star for content. As far as the last star is concerned I would take away 1/2 star for minor discrepancies and a 1/2 star for the slow and laborious start to the book.
Isaacson is very passionate for his subject and that is something that he cannot keep veiled very well. The beginning of the book starts out slow but once he gets moving then he keeps a strong steady pace. It is refreshing to see a writer with so much enthusiasm for his subject and while some historians frown on that; I don't. I like the way he traces Franklin's life and family history. In fact, his family history really gives us a context for understanding the way Franklin thought and acted. His strong puritanical upbringing did not make him a religious man, but it did tend to create a desire to be socially proactive. In fact, I appreciate the way that Isaacson traced the religious journey of Franklin and I wish that more authors would concentrate on this aspect of the political/ social figures they are writing about. Franklin's religious life is not one that is static but rather one that was constantly evolving and moving towards a more coherent view. His religion like everything else in his life, was strongly pragmatic. In many ways, we find in Dr. Franklin that strong American pragmatism that has come to define the American people in the past and present.
Franklin's home life was a very slippery slope and it was difficult to know what to make of his relationship with family. Franklin had a son born out of wedlock and their relationship was rocky thoughout his life, and particularly at the latter end. He had a grandson by this son that was also born out of wedlock and yet he loved this boy, perhaps even more than his own son. His marriage to Deborah was also very strange. Some historians have concluded or at least suggested that Franklin did not love her. He spent years of his life away from her and his letters do not reveal a tender affection towards her. Yet, Isaacson suggests that there is a way in which Franklin did regard her. Many have painted him as a philanderer whose nefarious dalliances and sexual escapades are among the most outrageous among the founders. Isaacson suggests that while Franklin certainly had emotional affairs that he remained faithful to his wife. To be honest with you, it seems a little difficult to believe. It is hard to imagine that a man who sits in a bathtub with another woman is not physically involved with her. I think he is right that we should assume that Franklin was probably not as wild as he is taken to be, but I am not convinced of his monogamy. This was an area where I felt the authors personal feelings for his subject may have interfered with his better judgment.
The writing style of the author was easy and generally engaging despite the fact that I thought he had a weak beginning. There were a few discrepancies that caught my attention and I will have to read a great deal more about this topic to be certain. Most people know that John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were selected to help Thomas Jefferson in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Most historians seem to suggest that Adams was the one who really pushed for Jefferson to write it and states his reasons as: 1. Jefferson is a Virginian and a Virginian should be at the head of this business. 2. Jefferson was liked while he thought himself to be obnoxious and not well liked by many in Congress. 3. Jefferson is a far more eloquent writer than the others. Isaacson suggests that it was Franklin who said this not Adams. This seems to be a mistake as Franklin is the one who is thought to have suggested Jefferson change "sacred and inviolable" to "inalienable" because the former smacked of the pulpit. I think that it was in fact Adams who stated the three basic reasons that Jefferson should write the document. Franklin was not obnoxious and seemed to always be generally well thought of and that alone caused me to question Isaacson on this point. There were other small issues that I wondered about through the book. Generally, he seemed to be factually accurate and his writing style was interesting enough to attract a reader who may not be prone to read history books.
I was happy to see that this writer spent a great deal of time salvaging the reputation of Franklin. His reputation has suffered as he is often portrayed as an intelligent man that prone to buffoonery. Certainly, he had a sense of humor and he could be somewhat crude. The funniest piece I read was his fake letter to the royal academy of farts. However, to see Franklin as a mere jester is to miss the force of his convictions, visions, and political prowess. Franklin had the foresight to see that America needed to unite along the lines of the Iroquois Confederacy long before many others. He was a man who believed in internal improvements, pragmatic scientific discovery, and a strong middle class. His vision for this nation has been a strong guidepost for two centuries of American thought. His work as a diplomat in France is a model for modern diplomacy. He was a fox when it came to dealing with other humans and his penchant for compromise is what helped to give us the constitution that we know have.
Overall, it was a good work that serves as a solid starting point for Franklin's life. He honored Franklin and while he was often soft on his shortcomings he did not altogether deny them. His portrayal of Adams seemed a little warped and his dislike of Adams bled through the descriptions. While I know that Adams had a side that made him a hard man to deal with, I did not always feel that he gave hm enough credit. His ending was solid and I love the way that he wrapped up the loose ends by explaining what happened to Franklin's family and close friends. It would have been nice if the book had included images so as to see some of the people that are discussed throughout the book. These are just minor complaints and do not detract from the work in any significant way.I will give it 1 star for readablity, 1 star for solid research, 1 star for bibliography, and 1 star for content. As far as the last star is concerned I would take away 1/2 star for minor discrepancies and a 1/2 star for the slow and laborious start to the book.
Top reviews from other countries
Seann Haver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very intelligent practical man!
Reviewed in Canada on April 26, 2024
A champion of the lower and middle class! He is someone who is not influenced by religious dogma, is a practical scientific man. I like that he values others opinions and is open to negotiating when necessary to reach a consensus, which is what is needed in a democracy.
Luis Mejia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Reviewed in Mexico on October 4, 2022
One of the best bio.
Rafael Ladeira
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ótimo livro
Reviewed in Brazil on November 25, 2021
Foi um dos melhores livros que li até agora. Bem escrito e conta a história de uma pessoa além do seu tempo.
Vitali
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lesenswert
Reviewed in Germany on May 25, 2024
Klare Kaufempfehlung.
Cheni
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good
Reviewed in Belgium on May 18, 2024
Good
