Book Report of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson

Introduction: Overall, this book was amazing. Usually, when I read biographies, I have a hard time keeping myself immersed in the book, and struggling to finish it. However, with this book, I felt connected immediately. This book seems more like a novel telling the story of a man working his way through life than a biography. Indeed, Franklin's life is set up like a novel; his beginnings are described, along with the situation into which he was born. A tale is then woven showing how Franklin matures and developes his way of looking at the world, and of not only surviving, but prospering. The character of Franklin can be related to by almost anyone of any time, as his fascinated and slightly amused way of seeing the world can be related to by many. Similar to a novel is the section of the book that tells of the last half of Franklin's life. As the calls for a redress of grievances between America and Great Britain evolved into cries for revolution, so too did Franklin's outlook on the issue evolve. The rising action of the plot was in the revolution itself, with the climax being Franklin's negotiation of America's Independance. Finally, falling in line with the falling action is Franklin's gradual retreat back to America, and his negotiation of the Constitution. This setup of the book was very easy to fall into, though it is strange how alike Franklin's life and the structure of a novel are.

Chapter 1- This Chapter gives brief but accurate insight into the character of Franklin. To sum it up in one statement, Franklin was always trying to develop and improve himself. This chapter mentions, however, that although Franklin encourage certain moral behaviors through small sayings and parables, these didn't necessarily govern his life. In my opinion, Franklin had the right idea on how to live; that is, doing what makes you happy, and helping your fellow man.

Chapter 2- Here, Isaacson starts to focus on the chronological life of Franklin. However, he doesn't merely start with the moment of Franklin's birth. He begins with an analysis of the surname "Franklin". God must have been playing a trick on humanity, as the name "Franklin" comes from the English word "frankeleyn", which referred to a group of middle class freeholders. Literally, "frankeleyn" means "freeman". And few men were as free as Benjamin Franklin. This chapter goes on to talk about Franklin's ancestors, who originally were settled in the English town of Ecton. Here, the author describes the Franklin's as ardent supporters of the Reformation, even during the persecutions of Protestants. With such a background, it was little wonder that Franklin's father, Josiah, a faithful Puritan, would emigrate to America. In Boston, his father took on the job of a chandler, a tedious but important job. It was into these circumstnaces that Franklin was born, when Boston had transformed into a thriving commercial center. From an early age, he showed an interest in reading, writing, swimming and inventions, which ironically included the kite. Josiah's original plan for Benjamin was to have him study to become a preacher. Due, probably, to Benjamin's disinterest in established religion, Josiah decided against that. So he became an apprentice to his brother, James, who was a printer. This laid the foundation for what Franklin would always consider himself to be; a printer. It was for his brother's paper that Franklin composed his letters under a pseudonym; Silence Dogood. Eventually, with the help of his brother, Franklin escaped to Philadelphia.

Chapter 3- In Philadelphia, where he had begun to develop his famous frugality, Franklin was hired under Samuel Keimer. He also lodged with the man who would eventually become his archrival, Andrew Bradford. Keimer and Franklin made quite a pair. Once, they decided to make a religion, which included vegetarianism; for obvious reasons, this only lasted for three months. In one instance, he almost was hired by the Governor of Pennsylvania, William Keith, although this offer was retracted. Barely a year after he had arrived, however, he set sail for London, with his friend James Ralph. However, their relationship ended over a woman whom Ralph was being unfaithful to his wife with. Franklin looked after her, at Ralph's request, a little too well. This chapter also mentions Franklin's "A Diessertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain", which states Franklin's early beliefs about God, good and evil, and pleasure and pain (later in life, he views this work with embarressment, as his beliefs had long since changed). Franklin disenchanted with Puritanism and established religion in general, though he firmly believed in a benevolent God. It also mentions his plan for moral conduct, which include frugality and doing good to your fellow man. This chapter ends with Franklin leaving London and returning to Philadelphia, his "true home".

Chapter 4- In Philadelphia, after his business partner died, Franklin went back to work for Keimer as a manager. Their relationship was tumultuous, but they managed to get by. He then set up a rival printing company with Hugh Meredith, who returned to farming, leaving Franklin as the sole owner of the shop. It was during this time that he started the famous Junto club, where tradesmen gathered to discuss a wide variety of things, from politics, to recent news, to philosophical theories. Here, he developed his Socratic queries, where instead of directly confronting an argument, he made gentle suggestions that would slowly refute the opposing argument. He also got into a newspaper competition with Andrew Bradford. Franklin gained The Pennsylvania Gazette from Keimer after driving him out of business. With this paper, and a few pseudonyms, Franklin waged a media war with Bradford. This chapter also goes into his marriage with Deborah Read. There was no official ceremony, though it was a common-law marriage. This chapter also mentions Franklin's illegitimate son, William, whom he took under his wing. He also had a son with Deborah, Francis, who died of the smallpox after a few years. He also began his moral perfection project, where he tried to focus on one certain virtue each week. Finally, he composed his Poor Richard's Almanack, which is famous for it's many proverbs to live and industrious life.

Chapter Five- This goes into detail over the oranizations Franklin started, ranging from libraries to fire departments. Also, it mentions Franklin's reaction to the Great Awakening, and his support and defense of a minister who focused more on morality than doctrine. At this time, Franklin was also inducted into the Freemasons. He also managed to further assert his dominance over Andrew Bradford, and had another child, named Sally Franklin, whom he made sure to educate domestically. Ironically, it was around this time, at age fourty-two, the exact midpoint of his life, that Franklin decided to retire.

Chapter Six- In this chapter is mentioned Franklin's early scientific pursuits, in which he invented a stove and the lightning rod. Franklin performed his famous kite and key experiment to find out that lightning actually is electricity.

Chapter Seven- This chapter starts off by mentioning the academy, the University of Pennsylvania, and the hospital that Franklin started. It also goes into depth about Franklin's views on slavery. At this point, he is rather disinterested, though this changes later on in life. However, he viewed the natives in a kinder light, and served as ambassador to them in his time in the Pennsylvania assembly. His time in the assembly was marked by confrontation with the Penn family, as Franklin desired to transform Pennsylvania into a royal, rather than proprietary, colony. He also composed the Albany Plan of union between the colonies, which was rejected.

Chapter Eight- This starts of with the tale that began one of Franklin's most famous experiments of stilling water with oil. The crew of a boat with tranquil waters behind it had supposedly been dumping cooking oil. He saw this on his return to London, where he was to serve as a diplomat.  Here, he continued to fight to have Pennsylvania turned into a proprietary colony. In London, he preffered to remain with the intellectual sort, and distance himself from the aristocracy. His illegitimate son, William, however, had no such personal restrictions. During their stay, they returned to the village of Ecton, where they did research into the family tree. They stayed for five years in London, while also visiting Holland and Scotland. When they returned to America, William was appointed governor of New Jersey, and married Elizabeth Downes. Franklin missed the wedding.

Chapter Nine- This chapter is rather short, and describes his return to Philadelphia, Philadelphia's confrontation with the Paxton Boys, whom Franklin opposed due to their treatment of natives, and his election to represent the assembly in England.

Chapter Ten- In England, he quickly called upon his surrogate family on Craven Street, Mrs. Stevenson. At this time, however, the Stamp Act was passed. To many peoples' disappointment, Franklin to not directly oppose it, but rather acted as a conciliator. His reactions, and a letter to a friend recommending him for the appointment of collection officer, worked against Franklin, and support for him decreased. Franklin's house in Philadelphia was almost destroyed by a mob, though a group of supporters showed up to deter them. It was at this time, however, that Franklin began to realize the reality of independance as an option. Meanwhile, Sally Franklin married Richard Bache, who had a sketchy reputation for being unsuccessful, much to Franklin's dismay. When the Townshend Duties were passed, Franklin waged a media war against them, gaining the support of patriots in the colonies.

Chapter Eleven- At the age of 65, Franklin decided to begin work on his autobiography. During this time, he forsook politics for travel, which included destinations such as Ireland and Scotland. When he returned to London, he met Richard Bache, his son-in-law. Surprisingly, the meeting went rather well. Also mentioned in this chapter is the fact that Franklin discovered the thickness of a molecule of oil, which he never realized. He also looked into the causes of colds, the benefits of exercise, and lead poisoning. Finally, he managed to defeat his political opponent, Lord Hillsborough, by forcing him to resign when a grant he didn't support was approved by the Privy Council. In America, where the Boston Tea Party had occured, William Franklin remained a Loyalist, foreshadowing a break between Benjamin and his son. Franklin returned to Philadelphia.

Chapter Twelve- In America, the Boston Massacre had occured, further convincing Franklin of the need for independance. He began to draft an early form of the Articles of Confederation as the battles of Lexington and Concord had occured. In the midst of the turmoil of the Revolution, Franklin met as a member of the Second Continental Congress, and assisted in editing the Declaration of Independance. After this, he assisted in forming the final Articles of Confederation, which would be scratched in favor of the Constitution. At this point, Franklin was also chosen to be an envoy to Paris. Along with him, he took his two grandons: Benny, the son of Sally, and Temple, the illegitimate son of William.

Chapter 13- In France, Franklin was known as the most famous American, and his skills in science preceded him. As soon as he arrived, he managed to set up another surrogate family in the village of Passy. In his dealings with the French, his friend Edward Bancroft turned redcoat, and became a spy for England. Sensing that someone whom he had dealings with was bound to be a spy, Franklin often let false details slip. However, at the same time, Franklin secured military aid from France after the Battle of Saratoga.

Chapter 14- This starts off by mentioning John Adams, whom Franklin had an odd relationship with. To sum it up, they considered each other both amusing and annoying. Franklin also had the privlege of meeting Voltaire months before his death, and managed to establish friendships with women such as Madame Brillon and Madame Helvetius. Franklin also proposed a marriage between Temple and Brillon's eldest daughter, which the Brillon's denied.

Chapter 15- In France, it was decided that Franklin was to be the sole commissioner. At the same time, the Revolution ended, which meant the peace talks could begin. To make an incredibly long story short, Franklin decided to deal with Britain without consulting France, causing some anger, though nearly quite as much as would erupt in the Quasi War. With negotiations complete, Franklin settled into French life. He also emphasized his belief that America should be a land of the industrious middle class. After many years, however, he decided to return to America, despite the kidney stones and gout he had developed.

Chapter Sixteen- Upon returning to America, almost as the climax of his life, Franklin was called upon to assist in the formation of the Constitution. While many of his opinions were disapproved, Franklin helped bring calm to the gathering, emphasizing that no single person would be completely correct or receive what they wanted. Indeed, once the Constitution was written, he stated that it probably wasn't perfect, but also that it would serve, as it came to life out of compromise. Franklin, at this time, also begins to ardently oppose slavery, though he is able to do little about it. He dies quietly in his home, with his grandson Benny beside him.

Conclusion- Summarizing the life of Ben Franklin is arduous, to say the least.
I believe, though, that we can all learn many things from him. He spoke of virtues, such as tolerance, cooperation, and equality, that were ahead of his time, though he defended him no less. Isaacson did an excellent job of showing us the inner workings of, in my opinion, the most influential, and overall greatest, man in history. However, as advice to future AP students, do not pick for a biography someone who lived longer than most people do today and who held numerous jobs and diplomatic positions while inventing such a large multitude of contraptions.

-Ethan Ambrose