Benjamin Franklin

An American Life

By: Walter Isaacson

Narrated by: Boyd Gaines

Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

In best selling author Walter Isaacson's vivid and witty full-scale biography, we discover why Franklin turns to us from history's stage with eyes that twinkle from behind his new-fangled spectacles. In Benjamin Franklin, Isaacson shows how Franklin defines both his own time and ours.

The most interesting thing that Franklin invented, and continually reinvented, was himself. America's first great publicist, he was consciously trying to create a new American archetype. In the process, he carefully crafted his own persona, portrayed it in public, and polished it for posterity. His guiding principle was a "dislike of everything that tended to debase the spirit of the common people." Few of his fellow founders felt this comfort with democracy so fully, and none so intuitively.

In this colorful and intimate narrative, Isaacson provides the full sweep of Franklin's amazing life, from his days as a runaway printer to his triumphs as a statesman, scientist, and Founding Father. He chronicles Franklin's tumultuous relationship with his illegitimate son and grandson, his practical marriage, and his flirtations with the ladies of Paris. He also shows how Franklin helped to create the American character and why he has a particular resonance in the twenty-first century.

©2003 Walter Isaacson (P)2003 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Benjamin Franklin catalogs the extraordinary range of its subject's accomplishments, which remain unrivaled in their variety and utility." (The New York Times)
"Isaacson has crafted a wonderfully written biography, and his treatment of Franklin's youth and rise to prominence is insightful and imaginative" (The Washington Post)
"The abridgment is seamless, the text runs the gamut...from brilliant to ordinary."(AudioFile)
"Blessed with one of the most polished and easy-to-absorb voices in the audio business, reader Boyd Gaines does an outstanding job with Walter Isaacson's excellent biography of perhaps the most appealing of the Founding Fathers..." (USA Today)

Great listen, entertaining and learned alot

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this book. Franklin is such an important figure in US history, and accomplished so much in so many different fields. At the same time he is controversial and that controversy continues today with popular opinion shifting from time to time. This book also dispelled facts I thought I knew about Franklin and introduced me on many I did not know.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ben Franklin. Really interesting figure who did so much, however at the same time had some interesting characteristics that I never quite understood. He had the ability to compromise on so many issues and then at the same time would be steadfast in issues such as deity and his loyalist son. Incredibly complex and interesting individual with many of his maxims so relevant today.

What does Boyd Gaines bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His read and inflection had the ability to take you back to the day in many instances.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Inside an American Icon

Excellent book

This was my first audio book which perhaps taints my review slightly. Have always been a page turner book guy and finally gave in to the simplicity of audiobooks while driving. Was expecting to be "wowed" just a bit more based on others love of the book but that could be because I was also driving and not fully engaged with the book. I do love audio books vs the radio but maybe not for my historical biographies. Great book, highly recommend.

Don’t listen to the bad reviews

There is no gurgling or chewing or anything of the sorts in this audio book. Only insight into a man that played a major role in creating the USA, a father, a husband, and of one ambitious enough to shoot for the stars and smart enough to realize he had many flaws

Great Read/Listen

Very easy to follow and great information while building Franklins character. I listened to it straight through

Ben. Franklin, an American Hero of the Republic

Ben. Franklin, an American Hero of the Republic.
Very well stated and easy to follow all historical concepts. Educational!

First audiobook in a loooong time....

What made the experience of listening to Benjamin Franklin the most enjoyable?

Well written, entertaining, and fascinating facts and anecdotes!

What other book might you compare Benjamin Franklin to and why?

Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs biographies both written by Isaacson.

Which character – as performed by Boyd Gaines – was your favorite?

Ben Franklin of course!

Any additional comments?

I have rediscovered the value of audiobooks after more than 10 years when the ease of downloads and apps did not exist. I am very happy I did try it out again.

l enjoyed this book very much.

informative and entertaining. the reader was engaged and clear. I appreciated the summation at the end.

Entertaining but a bit thin

Although I gave this four stars, it really probably doesn't deserve quite so many. Perhaps 3 and a half would be more on the mark. The author is a bit sophomoric in places, though his story development is fine. If you're a fan of Benjamin Franklin and you already know something about him, you might want to give this a miss. For a beginner, it should be fine. The narration is adequate.

a good listen

this was my first book on Franklin . the weaves a tale of an ordinary man who rose too greatness by his own efforts.

wonderful life

Amazing to hear how our fore fathers lived