missamandamae's review against another edition
4.0
You know, I think I would have enjoyed this more unabridged. I'm sure I'm missing out on some great anecdotes. So really I need to read the book for real. But as an intro to Franklin, this was pretty good. Loved the narrator. Loads of detail once we get to the Constitutional Convention, which is pretty fascinating for this current political climate. What a fun dude.
Sorry, I was still probably always and forever think of Franklin saying, "I can dig it" http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=372
Sorry, I was still probably always and forever think of Franklin saying, "I can dig it" http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=372
shachargannot's review
3.0
I have had Benjamin Franklin: An American Life on my shelf for several months now, but couldn’t bring myself to read it with our political world in shambles. I couldn’t bring myself to read about the founding of the United States and one of the greatest Founding Fathers when the antithesis of democracy was sitting in the White House. I finally picked up this book only after the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
I can’t say that my awe for Franklin and early America throughout the book. Yes, I liked reading about his humbling beginnings and his hunger to acquire more knowledge, but I found myself angry when he stayed in London for the first time, and then the second, and then France. Being away from his wife and children for such an extended period of time was infuriating to me. And his relationship with his wife was nothing like I understand John and Abigail Adams’ relationship was.
I understand that Franklin was a great inventor, but I found the lengthy descriptions of his experiments and tinkering to be a bit much. His interpersonal relationships, on the other hand, I enjoyed quite a bit -- I especially found his relationship with his loyalist son to be an interesting one.
To be honest, I don’t know if I really “got” what I wanted out of reading this biography. I suppose I know more about Franklin and his historical circumstances. But I didn’t really enjoy the read, and found myself looking forward to finishing it. I also don’t know that I retained more information than I would have had I watched a documentary.
I can’t say that my awe for Franklin and early America throughout the book. Yes, I liked reading about his humbling beginnings and his hunger to acquire more knowledge, but I found myself angry when he stayed in London for the first time, and then the second, and then France. Being away from his wife and children for such an extended period of time was infuriating to me. And his relationship with his wife was nothing like I understand John and Abigail Adams’ relationship was.
I understand that Franklin was a great inventor, but I found the lengthy descriptions of his experiments and tinkering to be a bit much. His interpersonal relationships, on the other hand, I enjoyed quite a bit -- I especially found his relationship with his loyalist son to be an interesting one.
To be honest, I don’t know if I really “got” what I wanted out of reading this biography. I suppose I know more about Franklin and his historical circumstances. But I didn’t really enjoy the read, and found myself looking forward to finishing it. I also don’t know that I retained more information than I would have had I watched a documentary.
msmithr's review
5.0
5/5. I enjoyed learning about Franklin’s role and contributions to the formation of our country. Inspired by his insatiable curiosity and quest for knowledge that lasted throughout his life.
davehershey's review
4.0
What to say about Ben Franklin? He is one of the most well-known and enduring of the founding fathers because of his pithy sayings and experiments with lightening. This book engagingly tells the story of his life and I learned a lot I did not know before. For example, Franklin was kind of a jerk to his family. As I read, I was disappointed to see a man who appeared more engaged and in love with all sorts of other people while showing little tenderness to his family. But life is complex and people are crazy, hence the title an "American" life not a "perfect" life. Despite his shortcomings, there is obviously a lot to like about Franklin. He managed to excel in such diverse areas, from printer to inventor to diplomat. Overall, a well-written biography of a fascinating man.
myrealana's review
3.0
Informative, but not exactly entertaining.
This book was recommended to me because I enjoyed "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow. I have to say, this book pales in comparison.
It was fine, but not a book I'd recommend to anyone except those who just want to learn about Benjamin Franklin.
This book was recommended to me because I enjoyed "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow. I have to say, this book pales in comparison.
It was fine, but not a book I'd recommend to anyone except those who just want to learn about Benjamin Franklin.
kettlepot's review
5.0
A wonderful look at the fascinating man who was a scientist and statesman and who played a pivotal role in the founding of America.
judyward's review
4.0
A wonderful biography, especially in dealing with Franklin's early life and his retirement years. I was fascinated by the discussion of his common law marriage and his relationships with his family--especially his son, William, and his grandson, Temple. His importance in shaping every founding document from the Albany Plan to the Constitution is highlighted as are his contributions in a variety of fields such as science and diplomacy. Most interesting was the concluding essay which dealt with Franklin's character and placed him within the developing historiography sinc his death.