Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

walter isaacson

... Show More
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, he seems made of flesh rather than of marble. In bestselling author Walter Isaacson's vivid and witty full-scale biography, we discover why Franklin seems to turn to us from history's stage with eyes that twinkle from behind his new-fangled spectacles. By bringing Franklin to life, Isaacson shows how he helped to define both his own time and ours.

He was, during his 84-year life, America's best scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, and business strategist, and he was also one of its most practical—though not most profound—political thinkers. He proved by flying a kite that lightning was electricity, and he invented a rod to tame it. He sought practical ways to make stoves less smoky and commonwealths less corrupt. He organized neighborhood constabularies and international alliances, local lending libraries and national legislatures. He combined two types of lenses to create bifocals and two concepts of representation to foster the nation's federal compromise. He was the only man who shaped all the founding documents of America: the Albany Plan of Union, the Declaration of Independence, the treaty of alliance with France, the peace treaty with England, and the Constitution. And he helped invent America's unique style of homespun humor, democratic values, and philosophical pragmatism.

But the most interesting thing that Franklin invented, and continually reinvented, was himself. America's first great publicist, he was, in his life and in his writings, 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.

Through it all, he trusted the hearts and minds of his fellow "leather-aprons" more than he did those of any inbred elite. He saw middle-class values as a source of social strength, not as something to be derided. 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.

586 pages, Paperback

First published July 1,2003
Places
the united states of america, 

This edition

Format
586 pages, Paperback
Published
June 1, 2004 by Simon \u0026 Schuster
ISBN
9780743258074
ASIN
074325807X
Language
English
Characters More characters

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for walter isaacson

walter isaacson

... Show More
Walter Isaacson, a professor of history at Tulane, has been CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. He is the author of 'Leonardo da Vinci; The Innovators; Steve Jobs; Einstein: His Life and Universe; Benjamin Franklin: An American Life; and Kissinger: A Biography, and the coauthor of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu and on Twitter at @WalterIsaacson

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
31(31%)
4 stars
39(39%)
3 stars
30(30%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Lozane
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More
Isaacson's biographies are uniformly brilliant and accessible.

He has an extraordinary talent for taking the most complex and arcane twists of a subject's mind and presenting them in a way that is perfectly understandable to the average reader.

If you think you have a good understanding of this revered and somewhat complex character, Dr Franklin, you would be well-advised to read Isaacson's account of his life.

There is a wealth of information and insights in Isaacson's biography that you might not have expected.

It delves deeper into Franklin's thoughts, actions, and relationships, revealing aspects of his personality and life that you may not have known before.

By reading Isaacson's work, you will gain a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of this remarkable historical figure.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
notsoap
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More
Excellent biography.

Although I do disagree with Isaacson's assessment and commentary at the end.

Franklin was a great American in many aspects. He made significant contributions in the fields of politics, business, and science. His inventions and discoveries had a profound impact on society.

Yet, as a person, his actions and attitudes towards certain people left a lot to be desired. He had his flaws and moral failings.

I think Isaacson downplays Franklin's moral failings, making them seem unimportant when compared with the incredible political, business, and scientific successes that he had.

We should view historical figures in a more comprehensive and objective way, taking into account both their achievements and their shortcomings.

By doing so, we can gain a more accurate understanding of the past and learn valuable lessons for the present and the future.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
tsuki77
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More
Benjamin Franklin was an extraordinary individual and one of the greatest polymaths in history. He was not only a remarkable scientist and a highly successful businessman but also one of the founding fathers of the United States.

He played a crucial role in deftly negotiating with England and France, which led to the recognition of America as an independent nation. Moreover, he ensured that America's policies at the time of independence were not aligned with any European country. Additionally, he was a major force in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, getting representatives of all states to agree on a common ground for structuring the new country from a governance perspective.

Franklin firmly believed in living a life of reasoning and virtue. He had a list of 12 virtues, including temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, and chastity.

Throughout his life, he demonstrated the power of people self-organizing into groups to bring about positive changes in their communities. In fact, he established the first Junto for self-improvement and to discuss topics of common interest as early as the 1700s.

He also started an academy in 1751, which later became the University of Pennsylvania, the first non-sectarian college in America.

Franklin was a great scientist with a penchant for practical applications of science. He made significant contributions such as discovering and taming lightning, calming turbulent waters using minute quantities of oil, and making stoves less smoky. Even if his other contributions to community and nation building had been zero, his scientific achievements alone are exemplary.

He was instrumental in setting up public libraries and neighbourhood constabularies in the USA, both of which were very important civic contributions.

Franklin always stood for the middle class and believed in the innate wisdom of the common citizen. He abhorred the grab of power and influence through heritage. With these principles in his heart and mind, he arguably had the most significant influence on the shaping of American society.

This biography is a highly insightful read about a great person, written by one of the finest authors.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
KingofCastlesYT
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More

I have gained a wealth of fascinating knowledge about Franklin and the early days of our nation through reading this book. For instance, Franklin had long been reluctant to see America declare independence. He exerted great efforts to persuade England to alter its treatment of the colonies. It was only after all those endeavors proved fruitless that he transformed into a revolutionary. The act of declaring independence and building a country from the ground up is truly an astonishing feat!


This book has not only provided me with valuable information but also offered profound insights into the historical events and the remarkable individuals who shaped our nation. It has deepened my understanding and appreciation of our country's history. I truly relished reading this book and the perspectives it presented.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
ikutokun90
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More
If Alexander Hamilton is one of the most underappreciated of the Founders, then Benjamin Franklin is one of the most misunderstood. Isaacson concludes his book with a chapter detailing this misunderstanding. Throughout history, each generation has reexamined Benjamin Franklin. As the author notes, Thoreau mocked him, Carnegie adored him, and D.H. Lawrence despised him. So, who was right, and why?

Isaacson, while highlighting his faults and follies, doesn't hide his own admiration for Franklin. An interesting historical test is to consider that Franklin's style and personal life often overshadowed his professional achievements and civic contributions. Because he lived apart from his wife, flirted with women, wrote about the science of farts, and fathered an illegitimate child, the general public has overlooked his historical significance. Instead of donning the frills and wigs of Paris, a trap Jefferson quickly fell into, Franklin deliberately wore plain suits, no wig, and often his famous fur hat. A man who set trends without trying, one of Franklin's greatest gifts was the ability to achieve great things without others realizing it.

His feigned naivete, strategic avoidance of conflict, and simple appearance made him the perfect person to discover electricity and promote the lightning rod; propose a union of the colonies in 1759; negotiate for the repeal of the Stamp Act; secure a treaty with and multiple loans from France; negotiate peace with Britain; advocate for the Connecticut compromise for a bi-cameral legislature, one with representation based on population, the other with equal representation from each state; and propose the complete abolition of slavery.

Isaacson makes it clear, and he is quite convincing, that while Franklin had his flaws, he was revered in his own time, accomplished as much or more than any other Founder, and deserves to be considered as one of America's most historically important statesmen. Franklin's personal creed was that doing good for others was the ultimate form of religion. In life and in death (in his will, he established a trust fund for young tradesmen in Philadelphia and Boston), he dutifully practiced his religion. A religion that we in America would do well to revive.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Tedddyyy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More
Walter Isaacson has once again delivered an exceptional biography.

He delves deep into the life of this remarkable individual, uncovering numerous less-known details, both the positive and the negative.

With great skill, he weaves these details together to create a masterpiece that showcases one of our most progressive and forward-thinking founding fathers.

The biography provides a comprehensive and nuanced view of the subject's life, highlighting his achievements, his struggles, and his impact on the nation.

Isaacson's writing is engaging and accessible, making this biography a must-read for anyone interested in American history or the life of this influential figure.

Overall, this is a remarkable work that adds to our understanding and appreciation of one of the great minds in American history.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Mad-Clown
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More
I'm truly disappointed that this turned out to be an abridged edition. However, what was included within its pages was so remarkably good that I am now firmly compelled to also read the hardcover version.

Benjamin Franklin is far more than just the kindly, almost bumbling looking elder statesman that he is often portrayed as. He was a profound thinker, and I have personally felt greatly benefitted by delving into and learning his unique approach to life. He was a highly practical man, and this is vividly demonstrated by his 13 virtues on how to live a fulfilling life.

I am including them here for your reference:

Thirteen Virtues According to Benjamin Franklin

1. Temperance

2. Silence

3. Order

4. Resolution

5. Frugality

6. Industry

7. Sincerity

8. Justice

9. Moderation

10. Cleanliness

11. Tranquility

12. Chastity

13. Humility

I will leave it up to you to either read or listen to the book to discover even more fascinating details and insights!!

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
BoundlessHawk
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
... Show More
This work is truly an outstanding biography that offers a profound homage to the rich and intense life of Benjamin Franklin.

His scientific achievements, most notably with the famous kite experiment, are remarkable. Through this experiment, he made significant contributions to the understanding of electricity.

Moreover, his "social" inventions, such as the Franklin stove and bifocal glasses, had a profound impact on people's daily lives.

These inventions not only improved the quality of life but also contributed to the unification of the States of America.

This biography is very well-documented, providing a comprehensive and detailed account of Franklin's life.

Although there are a few lengthy passages in some places, they do not pose a significant obstacle to the reader's understanding.

Overall, this is a must-read biography for anyone interested in learning about the life and times of Benjamin Franklin.
0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.