Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: I would have given the book 4.5 stars, only because there almost too much information about Franklin. However, it is a must for anyone who appreciates American History, or for those who simply love to read books about great people. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating portrait , novel like read!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Brand's brilliant biography of Dr. Franklin. The Ben Franklin most Americans know is the kite flying carricature or the kindly looking gentlemen on the $100 bill. This fascinating biography is most compelling in Franklin's early years. The story of his restless boyhood in Boston to his early manhood in Philadelphia are the most interesting parts of the book. Brand is a master storyteller and never tries to overdo the story with academic theories. He utilizes alot of Franklin's own writings to make his points.The later years are more familiar but Brand's writing is just as compelling. Franklin clearly was the wise force in our early years, a man who never sought but never ran from public duty. I have read many other revolutionary period biographies and this is the best so far.
Rating:
Summary: Exccelent Bio
Review: I learned a great deal about not only Dr. Franklin, one of the world's leading men, but of the happenings in Europe during his stay. I have read a bit of history about the revolutionary period but all of my reading has been to do with the occurrences on this side of the water. Brands' details not only the life of Franklin but the events surrounding it. The result is a book that provides a great deal of information on a variety of topics. If there has been one American life that exemplifies the ideal it must be Benjamin Franklin's. A few years ago doing well by doing good was a popularly stated goal. That very well could have been a description of Franklin's life. Although, I imagine he would have thought "good" included a bit more than his civic contributions. The abstemious, industrious and frugal nature of the young Franklin described in this book should be taught more frequently. Brands style is also lively enough to keep the reader interested. Often historical accounts of even the most remarkable lives can be rather a chore to read. Not so with this book. I recommend it; personally, I think, I will be reading a biography of Mr T. Roosevelt soon.
Rating:
Summary: The polymath who gave America a fine start
Review: Being a scientist and the son of a printer, I have always been intrigued with Franklin, the man who encompassed all my family's interests single-handedly. H. W. Brands' book is a wonderful addition to the school of knowledge of one of our most interesting founding fathers. Well written, this book is notably more readable than the typical arid biography. Especially laudable is Brands' coordination of simultaneous events in the colonies and Europe, which he relates in a clear, coordinated and concise manner, avoiding confusing backtracking in parallel timelines. Brands' theme in this book clearly tracks the arc of Franklin life, from loyal English colonial subject to American Revolutionary advocate. While building a strong career as publisher, Franklin manages to build an infrastructure of public works in Philadelphia, including library and fire department, a colonial postal system, and defense force against hostile Indians. All the while, he gains an international reputation as a scientist and philosopher, and late in life, statesman par excellance. Brands is to be commended for giving us this well sourced and detailed book, which clearly relates the amazing life of a complex and fascinating American.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: I'm only two thirds of the way through, and I can easily say this is one of the best books I've read in the last five years. As a history amature, I'm finding it very approachable, with a good balance of Franklin's personal history, his impact on politics, and his contribution to science. It's also a great window to life in colonial times. If you have any interest in Franklin, this is a great introduction.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable
Review: Until you read a book like this you don't realize the huge number of highly innovative contributions that Franklin made to colonial life. Everyone talks about Jefferson being a genius but I think Ben could match him in every category. If he had been younger he would certainly have been one of our presidents. His role in bluffing the Brits to give up and go home is very interesting. During his time he was the most famous person in the western world, but he remained relatively humble and personable. Towards the end, because of Franklin's international fame, a visitor recounts that he expected that he would be ushered into Ben's presence like being presented to a king. Instead, he and a friend found a kindly old man sitting under a tree with his grandkids underfoot. At the last page you feel like you have lost a friend.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Biography
Review: When I first saw this book available for sale, I could not wait to read it. Other founding fathers, such as Washington, Adams and Jefferson have had numerous biographies devoted to them and their role in the American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin was long overdue for a new biography and H.W. Brands has supplied an excellent chapter on one of the most illustrious founding fathers. The book demonstrates the rise of Franklin from a younger son in a large family in Boston to a well known and respected printer in Philadelphia. Based on extreme hard work, frugality and ghe ability to impress power men, Franklin quickly becomes a force in the city. The most interesting think about this point in his life is the agility of his mind. Never content to simply wonder why, Franklin educates himself in such diverse areas as philosophy, science, mechnical engineering, etc. The classic American dream of rags to riches is truly demonstrate via the life of Franklin. Later in his life, Franklin spent many years in England as the colonial agent for Pennsylvania. His fame as an amateur scientist through his experiments with electricity meant he was already well known in England. Franklin himself loved England during this time in his life and the author points out that it took quite a bit of abuse from the English politicians to turn him away from pursuing reconciliation with the Mother Country. Once he knew that America must achieve independence and at the age of 70 (!), Franklin returned to Philadelphia and began the exciting process of fighting for independence and setting up a new country. Soon after, he went to France to persuade the French government to help the fledgling country. Later still, he worked on the development of the U.S. Constitution. In the history of man, it is difficult to find a man whose life encompasses such a wide range of achievement. The author does a fine job of drawing upon Franklin's own words to illustrate his life. The writing flows smoothly and covers most areas of his life in sufficient detail. Only one small complaint- I wish more would have been discussed regarding his private life, especially his marrige.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting yet boring
Review: I love reading about our colonial forefathers and the American Revolution and yet I have never read anything about Benjamin Franklin. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to learn more about this prominent figure in American History. In fact, the book starts well and holds the reader well into the middle of the book. Unfortunately, I felt "bogged" down when it came to the Revolution. Maybe because Franklin spent so much time in England, or maybe the author got too detailed. In any event, I got bored by the biography and at times had to force myself to pick it up and finish the book. Usually with biographies, one learns as much about other figures as about the main character. However, I did see that in this case. I did learn that while Franklin may have been beloved by the common people, figures such as Sam Adams, John Adams, and others did not hold Franklin in such high regard. However, I do recommend this book to the reader who wishes to get a very detailed biography of Ben Franklin.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Biography of an Excellent Man
Review: I've read a few of the reviews of this book and cannot add much except to say this was a fine book and well worth reading. In addition to providing more information about Franklin's life, it gave an excellent snapshot of the dynamic and interesting period of history in which he lived. My favorite parts discussed his relationships with the giants of his time in the areas of politics, journalism, science and music. I especially enjoyed his strange collaboration with John Adams - what an unlikely pair. The book is long but should be a must for people interested in early American history.
Rating:
Summary: A good popular biography.... and a good read....
Review: I'm not usually the type to be a huge fan of popular biographies. Had this book not been given to me for Christmas, I probably would never have read it. Seeing that it was, and I have, though, I am much better off for the effort. One of the other reviewers wrote that this biography of Franklin also reads like a history of America. This is true. Because of his long life, central geographic position in the colonies, and outstanding mind, a story of the life of Franklin tells much more than a life of Washington or Adams ever could. There are as many vignettes about science (the electrocution of chickens being foremost among them...) as about politics, and as many about other people as either of them. And through these, the author paints an interesting portrait of one of our Founding Fathers with his warts and all (much as he did himself in pieces like "Dialogue of Franklin and his Gout"). This, although I am certain it may not be loved by all serious Franklin scholars (it has been too successful for all to love!) is a must read for any student of history; and, too, for anyone just interested in.... say... historical fiction (because it reads that well)....
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