BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, AN AMERICAN LIFE by WALTER ISAACSON

About the book:
Benjamin Franklin, writer, journalist and biographer Walter Isaacson, was that rare Founding Father who would sooner wink at a passer-by than sit still for a formal portrait. What's 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 over moralism, religious tolerance over fundamentalist rigidity, and social mobility over class privilege. That broadly democratic sensibility allowed Franklin his contradictions, as Isaacson shows. Though a man of lofty principles, Franklin wasn't shy of using sex to sell the newspapers he edited and published; though far from frivolous, he liked his toys and his mortal pleasures; and though he sometimes gave off a simpleton image, he was a shrewd and even crafty politician. Isaacson doesn't shy from enumerating Franklin’s occasional peccadilloes and shortcomings, in keeping with the iconoclastic nature of our time--none of which, however, stops him from considering Benjamin Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age," and one of the most admirable of any era. And here’s one bit of proof: as a young man, Ben Franklin regularly went without food in order to buy books. His example, as always, is a good one--and this is just the book to buy with the proceeds from the grocery budget. --Gregory McNamee -
I have heard about Benjamin Franklin all my life, the standard stories, like him flying a kite with a key on the end to capture electricity and being an ambassador to France in his older years.
This book went into detail about Benjamin Franklin's life. He loved to read, he was a creative businessman, definitely competitive. He would do anything to get ahead.
One thing that bothered me about his life was that, even though he provided well for his family, built them a big house and gave them everything they needed to live well, he was seldom home. He would sometimes go years between stops at home. And he would frequently find very young lady friends where ever he was.
Despite that, Benjamin Franklin was an amazing businessman, statesman, and early Patriot.
I would recommend that everyone read this and learn more about Benjamin Franklin.
It is available on Amazon.com, or check your local library.