Rating: 
Summary: Not in the same league as Ellis, Chernow, or McCullough, but
Review: While this is a servicable Franklin bio, the writing is somehwat dull and plodding. This work is clearly far below the bar produced by Ellis, Chernow, McCullough, and Edmund Morris. Those writers can truly paint with words great moments and scenes in American history, while Issacson suffers from a dryness of style and lack of original insights. This isn't a terrible book by any means, but if you've read Chernow and Ellis, be prepared for a letdown as far as the prose itself is concerned. If you plan on reading up on all the Founding Fathers books that have been released this past 5 years, pick this one first and get it out of the way. Save Chernow's Hamilton and Ellis's "His Excellency" for last- they are the cream of the crop, esp. Chernow. His Hamilton bio is a shoo-in for the Pultizer, in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: A well-written book on a fascinating character
Review: At the beginning of my campaign for Rhode Island State Representative I picked up this book as an "interesting" read, and since then I have read five other books on the Founding Fathers (see my reviews on Amazon) and the birth of the USA, my interest sparked by this book, and I'm still going strong.
In short, by reading this book you will understand why Benjamin Franklin is such an exceptional character. Everyone knows the name and maybe an anecdote or two, but to truly appreciate Franklin you need to know the degree to which he was respected during his times and also how much, to this day, 200 years later, we are still in his debt. To this end, Isaacson does a great job, constantly putting Franklin's life in perspective. Many books just get the facts out, but the exceptional book, like this one, explains things.
This is a well-written and highly polished work. I'd highly recommend it for anyone interested in Franklin or the founding of the United States. I was not aware of Franklin's political contributions or the essential role he played during the late colonial and revolutionary war periods.
Rating: 
Summary: A "self-evident" classic
Review: Benjamin Franklin is probably the best known American who was never president. He was a businessman, inventor, scientist, politician, statesman, ambassador, writer, journalist and signer of the most important documents in American history.
He was a complex man who pursued the American dream even before there was America.
In "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life", Walter Isaacson brings one of the most mysterious historical figures to life. Through meticulous research and supposition, Isaacson gives an active voice to a man who died over 200 years ago and left the world with a new country he help build.
With so many important landmarks in a storied professional and political career, Franklin should be most remembered for his influence on the Declaration of Independence. It was his suggestion to change the wording in the first draft from "We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable..." to "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal..."
The new sentence would become the most important words for every generation of Americans.
Of course it is worth noting that one of the more fascinating characteristics of Franklin's was his rather unusual flirtatious personality he had with women three times younger than he. Throughout his life he had many, frankly, weird correspondences with young women.
Isaacson is brutally honest in uncovering Franklin's major character flaw -- his neglect of his wife. Throughout the majority of his marriage, Franklin lived in Europe, while leaving his wife and daughter home in Philadelphia.
"Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" is a fun read for amateur historians or anyone interested in American history.
America is the greatest country on earth, and we owe it all to the men who had the courage and foresight during our revolution.
Rating:
Summary: The Model of a Renaissance Man
Review: Benjamin Franklin, though grouped as a founding father with all the others, probably does not receive the accolades he should for his involvement in establishing the United States as an independent nation. The most fascinating aspect of Franklin's life goes along with the title of the book - Franklin was such an ordinary man - of the "meddling" people, as he put it. Benjamin Franklin epitomizes the American Life and Walter Isaacson does a great job proving his point.This book was a fascinating read that reintroduced me to the American Ideal that has probably been largely forgotten. A man like Franklin could only have existed and thrived in America. The principles he practiced, and the freedoms he loved, are the ones many of us hold dear today, though we largely take them for granted. Franklin was the epitome of the Renaissance Man - scientist, philosopher, writer, politician - he touched on many subjects and excelled in them all. What an amazing sight it must have been to witness the meeting of Franklin and Virgil in Paris, as this novel describes. After reading this book I immediately began reading other books about the Founding Fathers. A great read!
Rating:
Summary: Gotta love the guy...
Review: Considering the scope of Dr. Franklin's lifetime achievements, Isaacson has put together a very personable and accessible account of the man's life. Of course the highlights (Declaration of Independence, French diplomacy, Treaty of Paris, Constitutional Convention) are touched upon, but of potentially greater interest to the casual reader is the personal side of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin placed great stock in frugality and sociability at the same time. Almost from the start, Franklin was a networker, and there is considerable exploration of the middle-class/entrepreneur Junto club that he formed in his earlier years, as well as the Library Company of America, and the American Philosophical Society. His marriage to the widow Deborah read is played out, as well as the birth of his illegitimate son William. Uncharacteristically for a contemporary biography, Isaacson does not dwell unduly upon the half-dozen or so extramarital relationships Franklin was said to enjoy throughout his adult life (though he certainly makes no effort to conceal or understate them). This I found refreshing, as it appears to be the current fad to cast as many blemishes as possible on the moral deficiencies and character flaws of the Framers. Franklin was just plain interested in everything, be it scientific, diplomatic, or personal pursuits, and though his own peculiar code of morality might be harder to figure out than the straightforwardness of, say, John Adams, it does nothing to diminish Franklin's accomplishments or his amazing gift of writing. Much attention is paid to his years as a printer, publishers, and editor, with many excerpts from editorials, ghostwritten humor pieces, and of course the still-popular _Poor Richard's Almanac._ Franklin's purported "lack of religion" is taken to task and shown to be somewhat less than the critics have allowed. Milestones such as the Declaration of Independence are juxtaposed with Franklin's self-effacing manner and the "superstar" celebrity status he had reached in French society. Perhaps one of the most transformative moments occurs during the early months of the Second Continental Congress; originally one of the most outspoken proponents for all things British, Franklin's outrage at the burning of Charleston, Mass. in 1775 seemed to turn him almost overnight into one of the loudest and most persuasive voices for separation. Though he agreed in principle with fellow Pennsylvanian John Dickinson's Olive Branch Petition, he penned his own letter to a member of Parliament on the same day, declaring with unaccustomed coldness that "you are now my enemy, and I am yours." While there has never been any doubt as to the depths of Dr. Franklin's passions on almost any subject, this particular piece of correspondence belied an edge to the man that I suspect few, including his own family, were much aware of. The book concludes with more excerpts from Franklin's articles, including, significantly, an appeal to practical benevolence over moral crusading.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging read of a remarkable man...
Review: I've always heard of Ben Franklin described as a "renaissance" man - scientiest, printer, diplomat - and imagined him to be enlightened ahead of his time which is why I impulsively bought this book. Not being much of a history buff, I was suprised that I immensley enjoyed this read. The author does a superb job of dissecting Ben Franklin's dichotomous character of complex intellect founded on exceedingly simplistic moral values. Throughout his life, Franklin engages in self examination to develop strict moral standards of frugality, simplicity, and temperance - qualities that I find exhausting, but Franklin confronted daily to develop an immensely strong character which he built his public image on. However, Franklin becomes tangible to the reader because he grappled with private weaknesses and struggles within his own family, and at times with his country. He faced immense battles to protect his reputation from slander and had many enemies that were jealous of his station in life. However, his strength and ability to humbly overcome his enemies gave me much more admiration for him than from my previous knowledge of his famous contributions.
Franklin gave much to our society, and his life is marked by many extraordinary achievements. However, I was most impressed by his life quest to craft his art of persuasion and diplomacy. Often I think of leaders who demand respect through fear, instead Franklin potrayed his image as a mild mannered American traditionalist. He used the socratic method for debate - instead of inflaming his opponent, he used questions to inspire thought in the argument. Why was this important? It led to one of America's greatest diplomatic feats - that arguably ensured our independence. He endeared himself to the French as an American Frontiersmen and learned their culture and befriended their King. Without the Frenchies help to beat back the immense British Navy, we would have never won independence. He slyly played the French off the British, while maintaining diplomatic channels with both countries. In the end, he secured our independence and disentangled America from owing anything to France - quite a remarkable diplomatic feat. His politics and diplomacy can teach us lessons that are applicable in present society. He spent years with the French learning their culture and politics, and weaved his way through their society to gain their trust. Franklin did not present and air of preferred status, but as a mutual partner wanting to work with their country. I felt his methods and lessons on virtue are valuable to today's politics and diplomacy.
Rating:
Summary: A Serious and Fully Enjoyable Read
Review: If you are looking for a holiday gift that is both serious and enjoyable while capturing much of the spirit of America's founding, you need go no further than "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life."
Isaacson understands something about the American Revolution and the founding fathers that many students of the era never quite get. Each founding father plays an essential role in our becoming an independent republic. Washington is the titan of moral authority on whose integrity our nation rests. Jefferson is the brilliant writer and theorist who helped create modern politics. Madison's systematic hard work created the system of legislative power and constitutional authority that protects our freedoms. Hamilton's understanding of economics and social forces established the capitalist structure, which has made this the wealthiest society in history. Yet in the deepest sense, these great men were pre-American. They belonged to an earlier, different era where most were landed gentry. Even Hamilton longed for the stability of monarchy.
Only Franklin personified the striving, ambitious, rising system of individual achievement, hard work, thrift and optimism found at the heart of the American spirit. Only Franklin worked his way up in the worlds of business and organized political power in both colonial and national periods. Only Franklin was a world-renowned scientist, founder of corporations, inventor of devices and creator of the American mythos of the common man.
Gordon Wood's "The Radicalism of the American Revolution" caught intellectually this sudden shift from the stable, serious gentry who dominated the founding to the wild, energetic, boisterous Jacksonians who came to define the American ethos.
Franklin is the precursor to the Jacksonians. He personified, literally lived, the American dream and then captured it in an amazingly self aware, fun to read autobiography, which may be the first great book of the American civilization.
Isaacson has captured and portrayed Franklin in all his glory and complexity. This is a book worth giving any of your friends who would better understand America or any foreigner who wonders at our energy, our resilience, our confidence and our success.
Rating:
Summary: Founding Father Bios - this one is a bit of a dud
Review: In the last few years readers of American history have been treated to some terrific and well researched and written biographies. Included are David McCullough with John Adams, Ron Chernow with Alexander Hamilton, and Joseph Ellis with two - Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Many critics have agreed that these are some of the best biographies of a facinating group of American individuals in an very unique time in modern history. Bejmamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson received acclaim as one that belongs with this group. Simply put, it does not. While it is a decent biography about a simply facinating man, it does not integrate Franklins's personality and indivdual history well into what was going on in the Colonies during this period. The writing is choppy and not well edited. I would submit that only if you wanted to read about Franklin specifically would this be a good book to read. If you are looking for an integrated narrative, look elsewhere. This, quite unfortunately, falls short.
Rating: 
Summary: Franklin's life - every last detail of it!
Review: Isaacson seems to prove that editors need editors. This book is one tedious read. We are told about details of Franklin's life that provide absolutely no useful insights. Isaacson seems to want simply to show us how thorough was his research. Our founding fathers gave birth to a busy nation - we've got better things to do than labor through this tome. Franklin was a printer. Isaacson has wasted more ink on this book than Franklin probably used in his entire life. Spare us the details, Mr Isaacson!
Rating:
Summary: The Popular American
Review: Reading biographies for entertainment is deplorable; for information, admirable; for wisdom, desirable. More can be learned from the failures of men, than from their successes. In this regard, Ben Franklin's life is a gold vault of insight.
No one American, dead or living, has elicited so much passion as he has. Not an orator like Patrick Henry, a philosopher like Jefferson, nor a war hero like Washington, he is nevertheless the focal point in any discussion concerning the origins of these United States.
Yet he is more than that.
In this superb biography by Walter Isaacson, we become acquainted with his formative years in Boston and Philadelphia, and in his brother's printing press; we catch a glimpse of his famous, perhaps infamous, rivalries with the like of the Penns, John Adams.
An American Life is written in a bouncy, speedy style that captures Franklin's energy. There is a lot one can learn from his life: his practicality, his love of knowledge, his philanthropy--it's endless.
As with all biographies, there are bound to be misplaced facts and nuances; this one being no different. Criticism, therefore, might be justified, though to me it takes nothing away from this colossal figure.
Read this book for pleasure; better yet, read it for sense.
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