Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

"Benjamin Franklin : An American Life

2005

It is a fact that Benjamin Franklin was one of the only founding fathers to actively participate in all aspects of designing The United States of America . He was intricately involved in the Albany Plan of Union , the Declaration of Independence , the treaty of alliance with France , the peace treaty with England and the Constitution . His inventions included the flexible urinary catheter , bifocals , the lightning rod , Daylight Savings Time , and the United States Post Office . Franklin was a genius who was constantly thinking of a

plan . This biography highlights his accomplishments , but also details the man behind the inventions and negotiations . It allows Benjamin Franklin to come off as a real person It is written in a humble manner that allows the reader to respect Franklin for all aspects of his life , glamorous or not

Chapters One Through Three

The first chapter of this biography discusses Benjamin Franklin 's arrival in Philadelphia at 17 years old . It also looks ahead briefly to an older Franklin and outlines his transformation through life . The chapter paints a friendly picture of Benjamin Franklin , outlining him as the founding father who winks at us . Isaacson clearly tries to get the reader to relate on a personal level to his subject . He wants to paint an open person with human faults , unlike some biographers who tend to place their subjects on pedestals . The author quickly lists some of Franklin 's accomplishments , but goes on to state that his biggest invention was the reinvention of himself . He states Franklin wanted nothing more than to create an America based on the values of the middle class citizens . The author successfully presents Benjamin Franklin in a humble and appealing manner , however it almost masks his great accomplishments at the same time

The author also highlights Franklin 's family history . He discusses Franklin 's great-grandfather Thomas Franklin and notes how he too was a rebel of some sort . Thomas Franklin kept an English Bible ties under a stool in his home when Queen Mary I outlawed them . The author does a fine job of outlining Benjamin Franklin 's heritage and his genetic ties to people who stand up for what they believe . The author goes on to state that all four generations of Franklins were similar to Thomas in that they were all likeable but they were also intelligent and non-conformists . They were all hard workers , and unlike many subjects of biographies , Benjamin Franklin was not born wealthy . The last part of this group discusses how after Franklin ran away , he moved to London to continue his training as a printer in 1724

Chapters Four Through Seven

In 1726 , Franklin returned to Philadelphia . He had saved enough money during his stay in London to begin his own business . He married Deborah Read in 1730 , not completely out of love . The author goes into detail on how Franklin thought it was necessary to marry Read in to give William a mother . Read was...