Author : Walter Isaacson
Publisher : Simon Schuster Audio
Publication Date : 2003 07 01
Benjamin Franklin An American Life
>> Great overview of Benjamin Franklin and his times
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
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
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