Rating: 
Summary: Not Your Typical Biography
Review: Walter Isaacson has written a wonderful biography of the oldest of America's famous founding fathers. I just finished it and must say I was pleasantly surprised that it was in the most down to earth language of any biography I have ever read (with the possible exception of Norman Thomas Remick's semi-biography of Jefferson called "West Point: Character Leadership.. Thomas Jefferson"). Yet, Walter Isaacson (like the Remick book) drew his water from the well of original readings and writings of his subject, not from the endless circle of other authors' opinions and interpretations. Those two things, easy-to-understand writing and primary research, are what make this book outstanding.
Rating: 
Summary: AMAZING BOOK
Review: I enjoyed the book Ben Franklin by Isaacson. It was very good at portraying Mr. Franklin as a man of genius and inspiration for young people of America to venture off on their own and start up a business, even though markets have changed since that time. I feel that if you are willing to work hard enough for what you want you will succeed, like Mr. Franklin. It is an excellent book and I encourage people of all ages to read it, and even read it to your children, but be judgemental in the word choices that you use about his life style in England.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Biography
Review: This is simply a terrific sweeping biography. Its primary sources are Franklin's voluminous writing and the letters and writings of his contemporaries. Mr. Isaacson added some pertinent observationss by historians. The mix makes for not only interesting and well-researched reading, but entertaining reading as well. Mr. Isaacson ties his themes (or theories) of Franklin from the begginning to the end. Thus one can see characteristics of the man that started in his youth and carried through to old age sometimes with no or minor changes, a few times with significant metamorphes. The end result is that the biography flows naturally. The author also used well chapter and sub-chapter delineations which aid the reader throughout. The perspective is a unique one. Therefore if you have read another Franklin biography, do not hesitate to pick this one up. It is strongly recommended for both those who are familliar with the man and those who know little of Franklin.
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Summary: Go fly a kite? He did.
Review: What a wonderful character in American history. And what a well written book. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson will become the pivotal work on Mr. Franklin. His other works, especially his work about Kissinger, are all important contributions to the hall of memorables from America's past. Franklin was a man for all seasons. Adept at business he managed to make several businesses succeed in a time when commercial success was even less common than today. He was a scientist....his work in electicity is second to none for his contemporaries. As a politician and statesman, Franklin is virtually without equal for his time or any other.. I think Franklin and Kissinger would have gotten along if not become fast friends. And yes, Franklin loved the ladies.... As Isaacson suggests, Franklin's contributions to the life of this country during the early years gives him more than equal footing with the other founding fathers. He did not make a military contribution during the war, but his was, in many ways, an even more significant gift. Isaacson's book is well written and superbly researched as are all his other works. His insight into Franklin and his time make the book worth reading for the history it covers. If you're a history lover than you'll want to read Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. You won't find this a dry read and you'll never look at Benjamin Franklin in the same way again.
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Summary: And indeed, what a life!
Review: Outside of snippets and sidebars in gradeschool history books, this was my first bio of Ben Franklin. I knew he was multi-talented, but I previously had no inkling of how full a life this octogenarian led and how great his influence was on our culture, government, science, and society. I was also amazed that despite being so active in America, he spent nearly two decades of his adult life in England and France, where he also was held in high repute. He was simultaneously arrogant and humble, self-righteous and self-effacing, caustic and sensitive, but always interesting and always on the move. I also liked the discussions of his interfacing with other notable figures of history, like Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, which makes me want to pick up their bio's as well. I have just started Franklin's autobio, and it is very interesting after just finishing Isaacson to hear Franklin in his own words.
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Summary: Franklin, faults and all the inventions
Review: What I found enlightening about this biography on one of the greatest men in history, is that it was unbiased. You were not lead to view Franklin as the author would want you to see him. Many writers write as to bring us to their side of the coin and see their subject in the same light, good or bad, as the writer is presneting his subject. What I felt reading Isaacson's work was a veiw of Frankilin that I myself was able to reach. My veiws of him as a great Diplomat and inventor are not changed. I saw Franklin as the Renaissance Man he was, never content to sit by and watch the world stay still, a man who was about change. He invented many things (a catheter for kidney stone suffers, something I know all to familair with), started several publications (The Saturday Evening Post) and was a very strong beleiver in education, he preferred practical education. He seems as though he was an 'average Joe'. A ladies man, though how? He was a short, pudgy, balding older man, but they saw in Franklin his intellect, which he also saw in his lady friends. I have only one gripe, Isaacson seems to be harsh on Franklin's relationships with his family, especially his son. I see it as a father and son with opposing veiws, William sided with the British and Benjamin with those seeking independence. What more would he have accomplished had he been the first President instead of Washington? To see Frankilin in an open light, not a convuluded fog as many prior writers have presented him. If you wish to see him in all his glory, do not read this book. He was human and therefore had faults, but was still a great man. This was a wise purchase on my part and will be a Christmas gift for a friend,but probably in audio form.
Rating:
Summary: BRAVO !
Review: Let me start off by saying outright that this is simply an excellent book, easily the best biography I've ever read about Franklin. Franklin to me personifies the best America has ever offered the world and displays all those qualities that we as Americans have come to treasure as part of our national character: strength, wisdom, common sense, wit and humor, industriousness,energy and compassion. What sets Franklin apart from the rest of the Founding Fathers, at least in my mind, is the sense that old Ben was "one of us", a brilliant man to be sure, but one whom you could picture having a pint in the corner pub with old friends. This book does a magnificent job in bringing Franklin to life. If only all biographies were as lively and well-written as this! Superb book, superb writing. Highly recommended for any history buff, any lover of great writing and any American who cares about this great country.
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Summary: Audio Version: Content + Presentation -
Review: This is a revealing and fascinating study that seems to me just a bit too generous to Franklin. (The monument in the Old Granary Burial Ground that he erected to the memory of his parents is evidence of an enormous ego.) Unfortunately, the audio book version is annoying -- too many mispronunciations and wrong inflections -- but worst of all, the reader tries to use foreign accents for British and French characters and regional and 'historical' pronunciations when he is speaking the words of American characters. The result is too precious and too amateurish, and altogether offputting. Take the time to read it in print. Better yet, read it in conjunction with McCullough's John Adams for balance.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent and Balanced
Review: What can we say that hasn't already been said about this really worthwhile biography? This is a fascinating and seemingly thorough portrayal of a fascinating and complex man, including his flaws. Franklin was not perfect. In fact, had we known him, we might not have liked him (some did not). But we would have had to have understood that he was exceptional. I didn't know before that he was so unwilling to be affectionate with those expected to be closest to him. I didn't fully appreciate the genius of his scientific work. I had always understood that he was a "great compromiser" and that this had been instrumental to the success of our nation's early history. I did not understand how this was a culmination of his personality and philosophy - and how it was forshadowed from his earliest years. And why he has come to be seen as the prototypical American. I can recommend this book without reservation.
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Summary: B. Franklin, Printer.
Review: Certain figures in American history seem to catch the imagination of the public, generation after generation and Benjamin Franklin is most assuredly one of these figures. Many biographies have been written about Mr. Franklin and Walter Isaacson has done a very commendable job with the latest entry in this series. There is not much new information to be found here but this book is very well written and an easy and fun read. The writing in my opinion is just as important as the content because if it is a dry and dull book, very few people will read it and it would therefore make little difference how much new information was available. It is also important to note that even when going over the same material, each new biographer who tackles Franklin will put different emphasis on different subjects and therefore give even the most well read Franklin fan some new ideas to think about. I did find it very interesting however, that at the end of the book Isaacson took a look at how succeeding generations have looked at Franklin, both pro and con. I am not aware of this being attempted before and it was unusually interesting. Mr. Isaacson seems to me to be very harsh with Franklin for his family relationships. Other Franklin biographers, notably H. W. Brands offer evidence that while Mr. Franklin was indeed not the best family man in our history, he was a much better husband and father than Isaacson seems to believe. Otherwise however, Isaacson is very kind to Franklin. I get the feeling that the harsh criticism of Franklin's family life may in some way be an effort by the author to avoid being labeled as one of those biographers who falls too much in love with his subject. In fact, Isaacson goes out of his way to defend Franklin in his quarrels with John Adams and Arthur Lee. Just as he defends the good Doctor from attacks coming from later generations. Isaacson has put together a fine book that looks at all aspects of a very complex man. The reader will be guided through Franklin's inventions, business dealings, fraternal and civic activities, his religious views, and most importantly, his huge contributions to the success of the Revolution and our present form of government. It is well worth noting that many of the delegates to the constitutional convention thought that Franklin, not Washington would be president of the convention. Indeed, it was possible that if Franklin had been younger he might just have been the first President of the United States. In the minds of his peers, Franklin's stature seems to have been just as high as the General's. Finally, it is well worth the time it takes to read this book just to see what Elbridge Gerry had to say about a large standing army. I'm sure Franklin approved.
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