In bestselling author walter isaacsons vivid and witty fullscale biograph. Benjamin franklin, scientist jessica riskin associate professor, history, stanford as a scientist and inventor, franklin always tried to apply knowledge to practical problems and to ensure that society would benefit from the widespread sharing of knowledge. Mar 20, 2018 if the history of the world is but the biography of great men, walter isaacson is surely one of the greatest modern historians. The lively and colorful narration can be especially. An american life begins by touching on his childhood as best as it can considering the lack of material to work with. Stealing gods thunder details the history of benjamin franklins invention of the lightning rod, and goes on to sketch bens role in the invention of the united states system of government. An american life appeared on the eve of the three hundredth anniversary of franklins birth in 2006. The author brings to life an historical entity that had previously seemed to me to be of almost mythical or nonhuman proportions. Benjamin franklin wired together a set of batteries he had just invented and used them to shock turkeys slated for a thanksgiving feast. The book offers not only a great examination of the man, but also a wonderful set of vignettes related to all the activities franklin undertook in his life. Benjamin franklin and the invention of america humanities west. Franklin, france and the birth of america, detached franklins. Franklin invented the franklin stove, swim fins, the glass armonica, and bifocals.
Benjamin franklin is the founding father who winks at us, the one who seems made of flesh rather than marble. Walter isaacson, bestselling author, acclaimed journalist, and president and ceo of the aspen institute, an educational and policy studies organization, will deliver the 2014 jefferson lecture in the humanities on may 12 at 7. Benjamin franklin book by walter isaacson official publisher. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Benjamin franklins life is an interesting one, and the first chapter explores the depths of his character in the outset of that life. Benjamin franklin an american life middle class values, frugality, innovative mind, service to people traits that defined americas founding father 300 years ago are still as relevant today, if not more. Whats more, isaacson relates in this fluent and entertaining biography, the revolutionary leader represents a political tradition that has been all but forgotten today, one that prizes pragmatism. Dec 16, 2016 benjamin franklin 17061790 was one of the founding fathers of the united states and a man of many talents. Shrewd businessman, politician, doting grandpa, passionate lover. An american life and president and ceo of the aspen institute, opened the lemelson centers fall 2006 symposium by examining the history of communications technology in democracy. Benjamin franklin and the invention of america his arrival in philadelphia is one of the most famous scenes in autobiographical literature. Biography of benjamin franklin, printer, inventor, statesman.
Publisher description for benjamin franklin and the invention of america. Chapter 1 benjamin franklin and the invention of america. Salon walter isaacsons beloved biographies of american geniusesnow in one boxed set. Benjamin franklin and the invention of america october.
Observations concerning the increase of mankind, peopling. Observations concerning the increase of mankind, peopling of countries, etc. An american life by walter isaacson 2003, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Chapter 1 benjamin franklin and the invention of america benjamin franklins life is an interesting one, and the first chapter explores the depths of his character in the outset of that life. Mar 11, 2015 summary isaacson does an amazing job of recounting franklins impressive life and how it helped shape americas values and character. In this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson shows how the most fascinating of americas founders helped define our national character.
Walter isaacson dealt with the whole man in benjamin franklin. That doesnt mean to say that franklin was a protorepublican, but instead a practicalminded. Franklin rose through the ranks to become one of the worlds most foremost scientist, writer, inventor, diplomat and political leader. In foreign policy, he created an approach that wove together idealism. After that, isaacson takes the reader through a more detailed account of franklin s early entrepreneurial life, through his many inventions, and into his later statesmen days. In a sweeping narrative that follows franklins life from boston to. Benjamin franklin was born on milk street, in boston, massachusetts, on january 17, 1706, and baptized at old south meeting house. These faculty members will address franklin from fields as diverse as the humanities, the sciences, mathematics, and business. In this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson, bestselling. James needed an apprentice, so in 1718 the yearold benjamin franklin was bound by law to serve his brother. Walter isaacson explores benjamin franklins legacy.
Notes on benjamin franklin by walter isaacson max mednik. Aug 19, 2004 but this is not just a biography of benjamin franklin but rather a fascinating look at american and european political history at that time. His arrival in philadelphia is one of the most famous scenes in autobiographical literature. Chapter one benjamin franklin and the invention of america. In bestselling author walter isaacsons vivid and witty fullscale biography, we discover why franklin seems to turn to us from historys stage with eyes that. Key takeaways benjamin franklin was a scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, author, political thinker and more. Franklin, the lightning rod known round the world the.
Benjamin franklin and the invention of america october 1718. Aug 04, 2003 benjamin franklin, writes journalist and biographer walter isaacson in an american life, was that rare founding father who would sooner wink at a passerby than sit still for a formal portrait. Benjamin franklin is the founding father who winks at us an ambitious urban entrepreneur who rose up the social ladder, from leatheraproned shopkeeper to dining with kings. In bestselling author walter isaacsons vivid and witty fullscale biography, we discover why franklin seems to. Publisher description for benjamin franklin and the. Isaacson examines the run up to the revolutionary war, the intimate relations between britain, france and the colonies and the decisive events that led to america s independence. If anybody in america understands genius, its walter isaacson. To walter isaacson, this makes franklin the most accomplished american of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society america would become. His older brother james franklin 16971735 was the editor and printer of the new england courant, the fourth newspaper published in the colonies. Oct 27, 2006 walter isaacson, author of benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklin book by walter isaacson official.
An excellent starttofinish biography, benjamin franklin. Walter isaacson presents a portrait of benjamin franklin as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, business strategist, and statesman while tracing his life as one of america s founding fathers. Jul 31, 2003 in this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson, bestselling author of einstein and steve jobs, shows how the most fascinating of america s founders helped define our national character. Benjamin franklin, scientist jessica riskin associate professor, history, stanford as a scientist and inventor, franklin always tried to apply knowledge to practical problems and to ensure that society would. Jul 05, 2004 in this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson, bestselling author of einstein and steve jobs, shows how the most fascinating of america s founders helped define our national character. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In the process, he carefully crafted his own persona, portrayed it. Benjamin franklin the walter isaacson biography synopsis. An american life, and stacy schiff, in a great improvisation. The genius biographies boxed set from new york times bestselling author walter isaacson featuring his definitive biographies. In this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson, bestselling author of einstein and steve jobs, shows how the most fascinating of americas founders helped define our national character. Jul 01, 2003 seeking to continue my trek to better understand the birth of america and its founding fathers, i tackled walter isaacson s biography of benjamin franklin. Though born in boston, he moved to philadelphia as a teenager in 1723 and subsequently established himself as a printer, publisher, postmaster, civic activist, author, political theorist, statesman, and diplomat. Franklin became a successful newspaper editor and printer in philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies, publishing the pennsylvania gazette at the age of 23.
Library of congress cataloginginpublication data isaacson, walter. Jun 01, 2004 in this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson, bestselling author of einstein and steve jobs, shows how the most fascinating of america s founders helped define our national character. When he was a young man, benjamin franklin wired together a set of batteries he had just invented and used them to shock turkeys slated for. Walter isaacson, born on 20th may, 1952, in louisiana, is an american journalist and writer. In benjamin franklin 2004, youll discover the life and passions of one of americas most respected and beloved personalities, from his early days as an essay writer to his budding scientific career to finally his. He helped invent americas unique style of homespun humor and philosophical pragmatism. In this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson, bestselling author of einstein and steve jobs, shows how the most. In this authoritative and engrossing fullscale biography, walter isaacson, bestselling author of einstein and steve jobs, shows how the most fascinating of america s founders helped define our national character. The following is an analysis and synopsis of ben franklin by walter isaacson. Isaacson starts the biography rather provocatively, claiming that franklins most interesting invention was himself isaacson notes that he. And the second man he chose to write about the greatest figure in american history.
Does this book include much information on franklins inventions. A recently published book may be of some interest to the intellectual property community. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. It was reissued ten times during the next 15 years. Walter isaacson walter isaacson, a professor at tulane university, is the author of the innovators and biographies of leonardo da vinci, steve jobs, albert einstein and benjamin franklin. In one person, benjamin franklin helped create the american civil society. After that, isaacson takes the reader through a more detailed account of franklins early entrepreneurial life, through his many inventions, and into his later statesmen days. Kennedy center for the performing arts in washington, dc.
Benjamin franklin, writes journalist and biographer walter isaacson in an american life, was that rare founding father who would sooner wink at a passerby than sit still for a formal portrait. Benjamin franklin is the founding father who winks at us. Franklins fondness for books finally determined his career. Walter isaacson national endowment for the humanities neh. In benjamin franklin 2004, youll discover the life and passions of one of americas most respected and beloved personalities, from his early days as an essay writer to his budding scientific career to finally his inspirational role as one of the founding fathers of the united states of america. Benjamin franklins inventions lemelson center for the. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was one of the founding fathers of the united states and a man of many talents. He was one of seventeen children born to josiah franklin, and one of ten born by josiahs second wife, abiah folger. An american life 03 edition 9780743258074 by walter isaacson for up to 90% off at.
An american life benjamin franklin by walter isaacson. Walter isaacson presents a portrait of benjamin franklin as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, business strategist, and statesman while tracing his life as one of americas founding fathers. There were other inventions but this was the one that made him the idol of several. An american life walter isaacsons new biography of the writer, inventor, diplomat, wit and allround bon. If the history of the world is but the biography of great men, walter isaacson is surely one of the greatest modern historians. Benjamin franklin, writes journalist and biographer walter isaacson, was that rare founding father who would sooner wink at a passerby than sit still for a formal.
Benjamin franklin may have been among the leading revolutionary firebrands of his time, but, suggests aspen institute president isaacson kissinger, 1992, he wouldnt be at all out of place in an office park or perhaps rotary club meeting today. The 2 november 2006 program at the national archives featured isaacson and allen weinstein, archivist of the united states. And a warm recommendation for every american to read benjamin franklin summary. Benjamin franklin pdf summary walter isaacson 12min blog.