Benjamin Franklin：An American Life

BenjaminFranklinisthefoundingfatherwhowinksatus,theonewhoseemsmadeoffleshratherthanmarble.Inthisauthoritativeandengrossingfull-scalebiography,WalterIsaacsonshowshowthemostfascinatingofAmerica'sfoundershelpeddefineournationalcharacter.InasweepingnarrativethatfollowsFranklin'slifefromBostontoPhiladelphiatoLondonandParisandback,Isaacsonchroniclestheadventuresofthespunkyrunawayapprenticewhobecame,duringhis84-yearlife,America'sbestwriter,inventor,mediabaron,scientist,diplomat,andbusinessstrategist,aswellasoneofitsmostpracticalandingeniouspoliticalleaders.HeexploresthewitbehindPoorRichard'sAlmanacandthewisdombehindtheDeclarationofIndependence,thenewnation'salliancewithFrance,thetreatythatendedtheRevolution,andthecompromisesthatcreatedanear-perfectConstitution.Aboveall,IsaacsonshowshowFranklin'sunwaveringfaithinthewisdomofthecommoncitizenandhisinstinctiveappreciationforthepossibilitiesofdemocracyhelpedtoforgeanAmericannationalidentitybasedonthevirtuesandvaluesofitsmiddleclass.