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Benjamin Franklin: An American Life |  | Author: Walter Isaacson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy Used: $4.01
as of 3/21/2010 09:22 UTC details
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New (46) Used (109) Collectible (1) from $4.01
Seller: katty_shack
Rating:  233 reviews
Sales Rank: 5736
Media: Paperback
Pages: 608
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 10.2 x 5.2 x 0.7
ISBN: 074325807X
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.3092
EAN: 9780743258074
ASIN: 074325807X
Publication Date: May 4, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9780743258074 | | • | Condition: NEW | | • | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
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Amazon.com Review
Benjamin Franklin, writes journalist and biographer Walter Isaacson, was that rare Founding Father who would sooner wink at a passer-by than sit still for a formal portrait. What's more, Isaacson relates in this fluent and entertaining biography, the revolutionary leader represents a political tradition that has been all but forgotten today, one that prizes pragmatism over moralism, religious tolerance over fundamentalist rigidity, and social mobility over class privilege. That broadly democratic sensibility allowed Franklin his contradictions, as Isaacson shows. Though a man of lofty principles, Franklin wasn't shy of using sex to sell the newspapers he edited and published; though far from frivolous, he liked his toys and his mortal pleasures; and though he sometimes gave off a simpleton image, he was a shrewd and even crafty politician. Isaacson doesn't shy from enumerating Franklins occasional peccadilloes and shortcomings, in keeping with the iconoclastic nature of our time--none of which, however, stops him from considering Benjamin Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age," and one of the most admirable of any era. And heres one bit of proof: as a young man, Ben Franklin regularly went without food in order to buy books. His example, as always, is a good one--and this is just the book to buy with the proceeds from the grocery budget. --Gregory McNamee
Product Description
Benjamin Franklin is the founding father who winks at us, the one who seems made of flesh rather than marble. In this authoritative and engrossing full-scale biography, Walter Isaacson shows how the most fascinating of America's founders helped define our national character.In a sweeping narrative that follows Franklin's life from Boston to Philadelphia to London and Paris and back, Isaacson chronicles the adventures of the spunky runaway apprentice who became, during his 84-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 behind Poor Richard's Almanac and 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. Above all, Isaacson shows how Franklin's unwavering faith in the wisdom of the common citizen and his instinctive appreciation for the possibilities of democracy helped to forge an American national identity based on the virtues and values of its middle class.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 233
 Great overview of Benjamin Franklin and his times March 18, 2010
Florida Beachcomber
I felt this book was a very helpful and interesting introduction to Ben Franklin. I liked it even more than I had expected to, and I would certainly recommend it to others. It provides a great sense of both the man and his times. One of my favorite parts was the end, when Isaacson provides an overview of how people have responded to Franklin's views over time, including our time. Ben Franklin is such a central figure in American history, and this book is an engaging way to learn about him.
 Another poorly done biography by Isaacson February 18, 2010
C. Cook (USA)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Anyone who wants to understand Benjamin Franklin would be well served by reading Steven Johnson's book "The Invention of Air," which is mostly about Joseph Priestley but often mentions Franklin. The Johnson book does a fine job of showing that aspect of Franklin to which the disappointing Isaacson book gives short shrift: Franklin the scientist.
The Isaacson biography is also sorely disappointing because it is so... what? So pedestrian, so conventional, so obviously a poor rehashing of much better Franklin biographies that preceded this one. One wonders why Isaacson even bothered to write the book. Money, perhaps? Whatever his motivation, the result is poor.
I felt much the same about Isaacson's biography of another intriguing personage: Albert Enstein. In that book, Isaacson manages to fog up the science because the physics in question obviously overwhelms his ability to comprehend it, much less write about it.... although he tries anyway, to the dismay (and confusion) of the unfortunate reader.
But Isaacson, as any layperson, could understand the science that Franklin explored and was so important to in his era. Indeed, Franklin was primarily known during his time as a scientist, not a politician/statesman. And Isaacson fails to capture that in his book. Instead, we just get another humdrum biography apparently churned out for a buck. Too bad.
I do wish Isaacson would stop writing biographies---at least about those people I admire.
 Placing Franklin in Context January 24, 2010
Well-written, readable, and balanced. Presents the unappreciated breadth and depth of Franklin's contributions while not glossing over his lack of emotional commitment. The chapter tracing the wax and wane of American appreciation of Franklin with the passage of time alone is nearly worth the price of the book.
Need to buy again January 18, 2010
J. carley (usa)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The book was not in very good condition. Some pages were very loose and the cover was in just ok shape. I feel the need to buy this book again because I don't like reading a book I have to take such care with that it may fall apart.
Age spread December 27, 2009
Michael E. Stein (Thurston County, WA USA)
I drive my kids to school and for a half hour twice a day they are a captive audience. Their ages are 7 & 11.
I use that time to expose them to American history and literature via audio books. This was very listenable with 7 year old staying with 75% of the book. She is not mature enough to follow the passages on diplomacy and intrigue but that is expected. Both children have shared their knowledge of Ben Franklin with their teachers and with family. It is academic enough for the mature reader without the younger listener totally loosing interest.
On the squabble meter of 1-5 its a 5 as there were no squabbles caused by disinterest during the drive.
On the participation meter of 1-5 its a 5 as we stopped the CD many times as they wanted to discuss topics presented in the book.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 233
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