Walter Isaacson's Biography of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Eren: Good if you want to learn history and yeah some useful thoughts you can cultivate from it

India on Sep 25, 2023

Dr Zhu Weiguang: Learn American history.

Singapore on Jul 30, 2023

Yogesh: The book just takes to the world almost two to three centuries ago. Brilliantly written and superb stirytelling of the life of Benjamin Franklin. It is a must read for history enthusiasts. Superbly portrayed his colourful life.

India on Jun 23, 2023

Kai Lee: While it is probably impossible to single out one individual as the most important figure in early American History, it is difficult to dispute that Benjamin Franklin was a most interesting and multi-talented individual in that period. His occupations included printer, writer, publisher, editor, scientist, inventor, statesman, postmaster, and diplomat. He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, The American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia's first fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania. In Walter Isaacson’s biography, every aspect of the life story of this founding father was told in a style which is both engaging, humorous, and touching.

After meticulously describing the events before, during and after the American Revolution, Isaacson’s summed up Franklin’s contributions by pointing out that he was the only person to sign all four of its founding papers: the Declaration of Independence, the treaty with France, the peace accord with Britain, and the Constitution.

It was interesting to learn that Franklin’s proposed experiments to show that lightning was electricity and that metal rods could be used to snatch lightning...

United States on Nov 24, 2021

JeremyJeremy: I bought this as Elon recommended it. Overall, it’s a very worthwhile book. Ben was an amazing individual. I do find the writing style a little ‘jerky’. The sentence structure often does some callisthenics to get to the point. (New Yorker anyone?) After awhile I got used to it, so maybe it’s not a big deal. It could use a rewrite to improve the word flow. It has some much appreciated illustrations that I wasn’t expecting. As for the physical attributes, the hardcover is solid with blue paper covering, with embossed gold print on the spine. Binding is of good quality however their paper cutter needs sharpening, unless they wanted it looking rough. (See photo) Curious as Ben was a printer, so I would expect the best quality of book making as a nod to his profession. But maybe I’m just too picky, or maybe the printer wanted it to look rough and sloppy. Otherwise a great book that I’m glad I purchased. I recommend you get a copy and read it.

Canada on Oct 15, 2020

Liam K: Read if you are looking for: A greater understanding of the USA, leadership, philosophy

Walter Isaacson is one of the greatest biographers writing today, and this book is exceptional (he is also known for his biography of Steve Jobs). Isaacson leads you through Franklin’s long and fascinating life, starting with his success as a printer and writer in Philadelphia, and spanning through his forays and discoveries as a scientist and inventor, his success as an ambassador during the American War of Independence, where he helped broker support from France, and the ultimate peace with Britain, and as a signatory to the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

Franklin championed the virtues of industriousness and values of the working class and thus was instrumental in shaping the development of the American character and national identity. In many ways, Franklin personifies the difference in attitude between the United States and the old world of Europe in the 18th century. Franklin is an inspirational character and his focus on self-education is particularly noteworthy. Although his formal schooling ended when he was ten, he continued his...

United Kingdom on Aug 30, 2017

J. Hughes: 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...

United States on Sep 03, 2013