Some surprising learnings on Franklin - a complicated, ingenious, yet also personally flawed at family relationships. ( )

Very good biography best-seller.

'Murica. ❤️ ( )

A bit overstated at times, but a worthy read nonetheless.

Benjamin Franklin invented America and I sure do miss him! ( )

This biography of Benjamin Franklin was penned by Walter Isaacson some years ago. Subsequently, he has authored biographies of Leonardo DaVinci, Albert Einstein and Steven Jobs. Does anyone detect a trend here?

Though this was the first of the four, it is the last I have read, and purchased it because I so enjoyed the previous three. The biography of Jobs was one of the best I’ve ever read. Either because of the subject, the writing style, or the simple fact that it was a much earlier work, I found this to be the least enjoyable of the four.

The biography is strictly chronological, with each chapter covering a specific phase in Franklin’s life. Each chapter is then subdivided into shorter section, title and dealing with a specific issue during that period. I have no problem with this presentation, but for whatever reason, I found it harder to engage than with his other biographical subjects.

Certainly, Franklin was a fascinating individual, who lived, and was involved with earth shattering events in world history. He wore many hats. The book presents these, as well as his complex personal life adequately. I would not discourage anyone from reading this biography, but if you’ve read the author’s work on Steven Jobs, I wouldn’t expect similar quality here. ( )

I learned a lot about Franklin that I did not know. This biography was sympathetic to him and really helped me think of Franklin as a person, not just the caricature with the kite and the key. I had not known about his early life at all, and barely anything about his work abroad on behalf of the colonies/early United States. I did not realize how high in esteem Franklin was in his own time. He was one of the foremost scientists of his day. ( )

A thorough and very readable account of Franklin's life, both personal and public, giving vent to both his positive and negative attributes and his contributions to American history and character. ( )

Holy crap, finally! This book took me forever to get through, and I have no idea how to review it. It was interesting, at times, and boring, at times. It was damn near 500 pages, you get it all. Boring parts, interesting parts, funny parts, etc. I could go on forever. If I could sum it up, I'd say over all Benjamin Franklin is a person we should all try to get to know. Just be ready for one hell of a ride in getting to know him. ( )

Isaacson's Ben Franklin biography is a traditional, sequential description of Franklin's life, with some commentary. I listened to the audio version. Some of my random thoughts and impressions:

I had read Franklin's autobiography and found it entertaining and amusing. Isaacson's commentary that Franklin was someone who was very into appearances ie making a brand of himself, and his autobiography was part of this, helped me contextualize it better. Though, having had read the autobiography, the first quarter/third of the book wasn't terribly interesting, as it was a rehash of it.

The recitation of all his inventions, and scientific enquiry was impressive. A lot of knowledge we take for granted was divined and explained by Franklin. His passionate curiosity is inspiring.

As Isaacson describes Franklin, he had a very healthy, pragmatic, blend of what we now call liberal and conservative ideas. These ideas aren't mutually exclusive and a balance can be had. I appreciated that he always advocated for democracy in its most direct forms, especially with January 6, 2021 weighing on my mind.

I appreciated his pragmatic approach to self-reflection and morals --do good, be kind, and not much need to over-analyze beyond that.

He was not kind to his biological family especially compared to his "adopted" families. It was distressing to read. His wife Deborah writes to tell him she is lonely, sick, and that their daughter is getting married (because he spent 15 years in England at the end of Deborah's life) and he writes back telling her how to decorate the kitchen, to not spend money on nice things for herself or their daughter, and to send him some squirrels. (**These weren't the in a single letter, but that was the gist). I understand how upset he was with his son due to his son siding with England during the American Revolution, but his vindictiveness before that did not makes sense to me.

I think Isaacson was a bit too temporizing of Franklin's sexual reputation. Having women sit on his lap and make out with them is not "flirtation", and he seemed to dance around Franklin visiting prostitutes, and likely sleeping with both the mother and daughter of his "second" family. While some of his relationships with various young women seem platonic as described by his surviving letters, they sometimes appeared to me, as manipulative.

Overall it was a well written, fairly engaging, comprehensive biography of Franklin.



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A satisfactory but certainly not outstanding biography of Benjamin Franklin. The narrative itself flows well enough, however the reader will rarely learn any novel insights. Instead, it seems this work is just an adequate compilation of prior secondary source material. ( )

I really enjoyed the two previous biographies of Isaacson's that I've read: his Albert Einstein one, which was very relevant to my interests, and the Steve Jobs one, which was fascinating even if its subject was unpleasant as a person. I didn't find this one quite as engaging, but I think that's mostly because this piece of history was of somewhat less interest to me. And being the particular sort of nerd I am, I'd have preferred reading more about the electricity and less about the diplomacy, but I'm fully aware that that's not going to be most people's priority in a Benjamin Franklin bio. I also admit that, as an American, I find myself getting sort of twitchy these days when reading about the origins of my country, because so much of where we've evolved from those origins seems so deeply dysfunctional to me. But, hey, that's hardly Walter Isaacson's fault. It's probably not even very much Benjamin Franklin's fault.

Anyway, all that having been said, this is still a good biography. Well-researched, thorough, and readable, with some interesting analysis from the author (especially at the end), but not too much editorializing, overall. I certainly do feel like I learned quite a bit about Franklin, and got a much better sense of who he actually was as a person, rather than as a myth or a pop culture caricature. Which I do appreciate, especially as someone who grew up within a stone's throw of Philadelphia, where Franklin's name and face seemed to be everywhere.

Anyway. If you're interested in reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin, this is probably exactly the book you want. ( )

I’ve read my share of Biographies and with out a doubt this is my favorite. Isaacson presents a clear and engaging narrative of celebration and illumination of Franklin’s life. I feel like I’ve know Ben Franklin all my life. I especially liked the summary at the end, where Isaacson recounts how Franklin is looked upon and considered in the years after his lifetime. He also brings it all together regarding the essence of Franklin in such a beautiful way. Highly! Highly! Recommended. ( )

This is a well written biography that kept me wanting to turn the page throughout. Isaacson does well to develop the full character of Franklin; from his industrious, scientific and philanthropic strengths, to his real and perceived weaknesses.

Whether you choose to like or dislike the man (overall I choose the former) there is no doubt that this Democratic Republic would never have been as free or as strong (if successful at all) had not Benjamin Franklin been there laying the foundation. ( )

I agree with a previous reviewer that Franklin is my "spirit founding father"! A well written and well researched biography which I found easy and enjoyable to read. ( )

5752. Benjamin Franklin An American Life, by Walter Isaacson (read 23 Jul 2021) I read on 8 Dec 1991 The Wise Men, of which Isaacson was the co-author, and on 8 May 2007 Isaacson's life of Einstein and found both books excellent. This biography of Franklin is also very carefully researched and well-written. Franklin was born 17 Jan 1706 in Boston, in 1723 ran away to Philadelphia, was a printer, an inventor, and a statesman, signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, signed the peace treaty ending the Revolution, was at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and died 17 Apr 1790. There are things in his life not too admirable but on balance he served his country well and deserves to be revered as an important Founding Father. ( )

Well written, interesting details, provides the information and some interpretation but there is enough original source information the reader can decide whether they believe the interpretation or have a different one. ( )

I enjoyed this biography a great deal...as I always do when reading books by Water Isaacson. I especially liked the way Mr. Isaacson reconciled different views of Benjamin Franklin at the end of the book. The book was well researched and presented a balanced view.

Benjamin Franklin was a fascinating person, with a broad range of interests and always blending curiosity with a strong sense of practicality. I think he would be saddened by the lack of compromise that is dividing U.S. political parties today.

Mr. Franklin accomplished so much, and had so many friends and admirers. He was a great man, unless you happened to be his wife or child. Why is it that so many great people seem to let their families down? ( )

This is a biography which takes us through the events of a long and glorious life and emphasizes the interpersonal and tries to fathom the whys. Is that the measure of a man? Especially an exceptional man. After a while it was just more of the same, even if there were turns in the course. The really good part is the last twenty pages, after Franklin's death where Isaacson tries to reconcile the different ways that historians and others have viewed the same man we just spent almost 500 pages learning about. That's the fascinating part of this book. I almost wish this part was at the very start of the book rather than the end. Then we could have been unraveling a mystery rather than continually jumping to the next phase of a varied career. I was amazed to learn in last fifty pages that Franklin had one of, if not the, largest private libraries in the country, close to 5000 books. Yes it was not an event that created it, but it was a man like no other. By the end I wished there was more attention to the scientific achievements. Yes they were cited but if Franklin was like most inventors there must have been many blind alleys before the ah ha moment. I would have liked to know more about them. ( )

Another view reminding us that all people are human with both strengths and weaknesses. I find it exceedingly interesting that some people succeed regardless of their faults, and others of us let our faults dominate. ([b:Now, Discover Your Strengths|56452|Now, Discover Your Strengths|Marcus Buckingham|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347484398s/56452.jpg|1045276])

Here are a few things that caught my attention as I read this book.

"Franklin later concluded that the loss of money he was owed was balanced by the loss of the burden of having Ralph as a friend. A pattern was emerging. ... Franklin easily made casual friends, intellectual companions, useful patrons, flirty admirers, and circles of genial acquaintances, but he was less good at nurturing lasting bonds that involved deep personal commitments or emotional relationships, even within his own family. (Page 44)

"When an Indian child has been brought among us,taught our language and habituated to our customers, yet if he goes to see his relations and make one Indian ramble with them , there is no persuading him ever to return." (Page 153)

One Parisian, who added the perfect French complement about his love of silence: "He knew how to be impolite without being rude." (Page 328)

"Franklin had won, … The greatest diplomatic victory the United States has ever achieved."… [That] partially points out the paucity of American successes over the years at bargaining tables," (Page 349)

He was a sociable man who liked clubs that offered enlightening conversations and activities, but the friendships he formed with his fellow men were more affable than intimate. He had a genial affection for his wife, but not enough love to prevent him from spending 15 of the last 17 years of their marriage an ocean away… With his many women admirers, he preferred flirting rather than making serious commitments, and he retreated into playful detachment at any sign of danger. (Page 487)

I found it interesting that his years in England was portrayed as politically unsuccessful, but in France he was eminently successful at winning the hearts of the country and negotiating agreements and treaties both with France and with England.

Chapter 18 describes shifting opinions of America regarding Franklin over the decades. Some decades he is in favor and some decades he is out of favor. This chapter reminds me that an assessment of a historical character is continually shifting. The current values of the society determine who they hold in esteem and who they scorn. ( )

A well-written and interesting biography of a fascinating man. It's been fun to read this on the heels of the John & Abigail Adams letters - from their perspectives you can get two different sides of many events. ( )

Can't wait to read it again. Isaacson made it clear that this is my spirit founding father. Don't think you have a personality? Make one from scratch, and make it whatever you want. So much to look up to, even the wry lens through which the man viewed the world. Most importantly for the kinds of fun romps through a life, it's easy to read. My guess is, the more I read about Franklin, I'll think of this as an intro bio, but what a damn fun intro! ( )

The reader really gets to know Benjamin Franklin in this book biography. It is a little weaker on context and explaining the events of Franklin's time. Isaacson portrays Franklin as the prototype middle class striver. He is pragmatic and guided by reason, civic-minded, sociable, and charming. Franklin mixed bis public and private interests and could be downright petty at times. As amiable as he was in accumulating acquaintances, he had few close friends and was remarkably cold and distant to members of his family. He was a brilliant negotiator. While none of Franklin's suggestions were incorporated into the constitution his true value at the convention was as the voice of compromise who disarmed tense situations with humor. The Conclusion is an excellent summary and discussion of Franklin's standing since his death in 1790. We could certainly use someone like him in our own troubled times. ( )

In my nonfiction book I will be reviewing a book I’ve been on and off reading this post last year (2019)about Benjamin himself, I’ve done a project on him before so I was already Benjamin Franklin was a writer and diplomat. He was also an inventor. So I was pretty educated about him before I finished this project. But Ben himself was born in Boston, Massachusetts on 17 January 1706. His father Josiah Franklin was a soap maker. Benjamin went to school for only a very short time as his father did not have the money for it. Ben started working at his fathers shop at a young age. Later Benjamin was apprenticed to his brother James, a printer. Benjamin soon argued with James and in 1723 he went to Philadelphia where he found a job in a print shop. Fast forwards a couple of years and it is now 1736 to 1756, and these are the times that franklin works as a clerk. He was a member of the assembly from 1751 to 1764. He was deputy postmaster for the colonies from 1753 to 1774. Franklin invented a kind of metal stove in 1742. Now in 1752 franklin carried out his most famous experiment. And this was to go out during a thunderstorm with a kite to prove that lightning was a form of electricity. Franklin later went to sign the declaration in 1776 and Franklin died in 1790 at the age of 84

I would not recommend this book to anyone because it's a really lame book and the only reason I read it is because i had extra time in the library, in conclusion this is a really good autobiography but if you do not have high interests in autobiographies from people that lived 300 years ago then dont read it ( )

Franklin has always fascinated me and has always been my favorite Founding Father, just ahead of Jefferson, so I am glad I finally pulled this bio off the shelf and dug in. It is quite mind-blowing what Franklin jammed into his eighty-four years- as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer and practical/political thinker. He was also the Forrest Gump of his time, inserting himself into many historical milestones, in America and abroad. The author also shines a light on Franklin's flaws, which make him even more human. He was not a very good father or husband, which I found very surprising and his adoration for young girls was borderline creepy.
I like the tone of this jaunty narrative, but, for me, it bogged down a bit in the details, especially in the use of extensive quotes, which can be overwhelming. It is still a very solid biography. ( )