As he did with his biography of Albert Einstein, Isaacson provides a detailed account of the life of entrepreneur, author, politician, inventor, diplomat, and founding father whose fascinating life was full and varied. This biography unveils many of the mistaken legends about Franklin, including the depictions of him as being an older, gray-haired man flying his kite in a storm -- he was 44 -- and that what we call a "Franklin Stove" is a later, much altered design because his original one did not work as planned. There is an honest portrayal of his love of women's attention, and neglect of his own wife. Also, John & Abigail Adams' disapproval of Franklin's lifestyle and indulgences is discussed. In spite of the negatives about the man, Isaacson succeeds in giving an interesting account of one of the most intelligent, well-read, and well-spoken minds of the 18th century.
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