Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

I bought this book for my husband and he absolutely loved it. He lost the book at work before he finished it and I had to buy him another one. The book was not only informative but was also very entertaining.

Can't get enough of these learning audio books. Amazing how much I didn't know about so many people and things. I spend a lot of time driving, so it's great listening to these audios. They're read very well too, so it's easy listening.

yet another one cent deal interesting reading about franklin,washington,lincoln,adams all for one cent per copy, hardbound of course,ordered three books a penny a piece saved one hundred and twenty,remember a penny saved is a penny easrned!

I learned a great deal about both Franklin and the formation of the U.S. through this book. The book is easy to read and engaging once I began reading. My only negative is that I never found myself chomping at the bit to get back to the book. Once I started reading each time, I enjoyed the time spent. However, there is a bit of a textbook feel to the book that kept me from giving it 5 stars.

This book has interesting insight, and seems to have very accurate historical facts and finds. However the writting style makes reading more than 5 pages at a time seem tedious. The book does not draw you in and is not a story book even in the slightest, and much of the verbage or launguage used seems un-neccessarily obscure. I recently read "1776" by David McCullough, and though a historical book it was great and easy reading, this book is not!

I loved this book. Benjamin Franklin was a very intelligent man and he had the right idea about how politicians who were appointed should not be paid, but should do the job willingly and for the good of the people. What he did with the money he was paid for his appointment is unheard of today.

An excellent examination of great American. Some great lessons for today's politicians. The only problem is that Benjamin would have had to deal with out tabloid press environment. Benjamin makes us wish for a simpler time in political discourse.

This book was recommended to me by several people and did not disappoint. I had been aware of many of Franklin's accomplishments but was unaware of the true extent of them. The book gives a great deal of color on his life and personality that makes you feel like you know him. He is truly a unique man who did an incredible amount of good for society, albeit in his own interesting ways. I can't think of a person I have read about that is similar so the book was a fascinating read. You will find yourself reading the book and saying, "really?" to a great deal of his exploits. Isaacson has many great books, and this is one of his best.

Throughout this biography, I learned more about Ben than I even knew was there to learn. It is written for the normal reader, not the scholar (like the other Ben biography I tried to read). It reads well and gives a nicely rounded picture of this incredible gent.

This book is funny because Franklin was funny. Maybe he wasn't funny - maybe it's that he's almost become a caricature of himself. Nevertheless, if you're a history buff, a founding father buff, a politics buff, etc. this book is worth the read. My only criticism is that this is a "everything you ever wanted to know and everything you didn't care about knowing about B. Franklin." I almost felt as though I'd had my fill after about 2/3 of the book.

I found this book to be very inspirational. Benjamin Franklin was really an outstanding individual and Isaacson does a great job telling his story. Ben Franklin seemed to learn the hard and valuable lessons of life while he was still young. He learned how to fight for his beliefs and influence others with tact, cleverness, and success. He strove to be an active and valuable citizen. He made major contributions to what we treasure as 'americanism'. He was a founding father of our country in every sense of the word.
I hated the last chapter of the book entitled "Conclusions". I hereby advise Walter Isaacson to omit it on the next revision. That chapter undid many of the wonderful feelings I picked up reading the earlier chapters. I advise new readers of the book to remove those pages and shred them before even reading one word in the book.
Ralph Hermansen
September 10, 2003

I enjoyed this wonderfully told story of Benjamin Franklin's life, and learned a lot about history along the way. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a window into how America came to be.

This biography of Benjamin Franklin succeeds in being both revealing and readable. The genius and "errata" of Benjamin are presented in a highly interesting, detailed and candid story. Although I had read his autobiography and other books on the American Revolution, this biography revealed even more of this remarkable man. Highly recommended to those interested in the "key stone" of America's Founding Fathers.

I had read Isaacson's Einstein and Jobs. Currently, I am in the middle of this book and loving it. It is easy reading with lots of facts and anecdotes. If you want to find out about Benjamin Franklin, this is the book. The only drawback is its length, but I have not minded the length of his other books and I certainly won't in this one.

Like Isaacson's biography of Einstein, this book is well researched and presented in an uncomplicated naritive. Not only do we see Franklin, but we get a glimpse of his comtemporaries and the societies in which he lived. I wonder if we would all be well served by emulating, again, the values that guided Franklin's life and works.

Isaacson wrote this insightful biography in such a way that revealed the fundamentals of Franklin through broad themes as well as (often funny) vignettes. Thus, the reading was both pointed and interesting.

infancy. But, he certainly was not a family man. Although he gave so much of himself for the establishment of this country, he did not give much of himself for his family, his wife & children. He was quite egocentric in his personal life very dynamic in his efforts for obtaining assistance for the support of this infant country.He truly enjoyed life at its fullest. I still have great admiration for him. I think the book gave a good 360 degree view of one of our founding fathers.

Much of the content appears to parallel his autobiography which is good however I expect more insight from the author into Franklins' human motivations and clear perspective of his times. He was physically taller than the average, apparently quite appreciative of female companionship. a shrewd businessman and his associations with other major figures of the times more important than is usually portrayed.

How great to read history this way! So well written, so many facts within so many stories within history itself, could no put it down. Would recommend it for HS students and discussions to follow. Fabulous will look got the next one.
Thank you for all the research and time behind this book Mr Isaacson .

I've always wanted to read about Benjamin Franklin since he is one of my childhood heroes. After reading Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography I just had to read his other on Franklin. You won't be disappointed with this read. I could not put it down. -Seth W, San Francisco, CA

I think there should be a national holiday for old Ben. Wow I feel like I got a college course in am. history when I finished this book.
He is the one who got the French to help us win the war with Britan. It was an amazing book and I read most of it on the beach in Mexico, so I will probably ready this book over and over and I have it on audio too. Who knows if we would have got our freedom with out the negotiating skills of old Ben. He is not given enough credit . The book is mesmerizing.

One on the best biographies of Ben Franklin. Isaacson takes Franklin's life and sets it in all the history around his life. He was the first to support the middle class as the engine of our economy. If you love biographies and a fascination story. This is the book to buy.

Issacson did a remarkable job telling the story of Franklin's incredible life in an engaging and easy to read manner. If you're interested in US history and Americans who shaped our country, this book is for you.

It was quite interesting to read about Allen of his inventions , as well as his scientific knowledge. He truly was a very diverse man. A Rogue in his own time but a true politician. It was sad to see he was so unable to make family commitments. However his daughter seemed to know how to work him & @ same time understand him. In his later years he did seem to enjoy his grandchildren. Truly a remarkable account of a complex human building. Good read NOT Dry.

I recently read Einstein by the same author. I thought if I enjoy Einstein so much, why not read Benjamin Franklin. I am glad I did. I enjoyed Benjamin Franklin so much, and learned so much more than they ever teach in our schools. It is a great read.

William Handy

Kindle/the store has this book pop up when I opened my Kindle. I previewed it then ordered it. I liked it so much that I interrupted what I was reading and continued after the preview. I', still reading it.

Benjamin Franklin? A name instantly recognized; but reading the book page by page is like reliving his life day by day through the years. The narrative of the founding father is true to annals, the text clearly written, eloquent not flattering the hero. A man not in his prime, afflicted by gout, stones in his kidney Franklin undertook a midwinter journey to Canada on State business for the future Republic. He was a hero. For a foreign national -like myself - the book is a revelation, a rediscovery of America, a kind of America sealed to the occasional tourist

Another wonderful biography of a larger than life American, brought to life by Isaacson with his characteristic gift for prose. A great review of Franklin the man, the diplomate, the scientist, the inventor, the person. Highly recommended.

Simply well written and rich with insights into Ben Franklins skill a rationalizing his behavior. A good read that is thought provoking and enjoyable - recommend it to anyone who savors history and its characters.

Walter Isaacson did a great job with this book about Franklin. For the first time I had a clearer picture of the man, B. Franklin, and not just a legend, founding father or scientist. I highly recommend this book.

My favorite fellow Philadelphian as I never knew him; his need for consensus and drive for civic and educational institutions led to a 70 year old who could consult with other colonists without contention and thus we get a republic to keep.

I found the book interesting, and thoroughly researched. But I had the recurring impression that I was either attending a university lecture or reading someone's doctoral dissertation. Most disconcerting was the occasional coy reference by the author to "remember that name, it comes up later."
Come, now: That does not belong in a serious work, and I was under the impression such was the author's aspiration.
For a perfect biography, read "John Adams" by David McCullough.

The depth of research for this publication is a true reflection of solid
historical research. I have held Franklin to be one of the most
fascinating of our founding fathers and a "global mind" years
before the word "global" could be applied to any thinker and
author. I thought that the writing and organization of the biography
has compelled me to purchase the third of Isaacson's publications on
Einstein. Excellent writing and read with ease as an iBook.

Thomas Nicholas Pappas, PhD

I an a History Buff, anyway. But, even for those who are not, everyone should read this book because all Americans should be aware of how wonderful, and smart, and diversified this great American Patriot was.

Exceptional account of Ben Franklin's life, the struggles he endured, and the legacy he left behind for the rest of the world. Very accurate and detailed research by the author - a book that's hard to put down.