Cover of Benjamin Franklin

Book · 2003 · Biography & Autobiography

Benjamin Franklin

An American Life

by Walter Isaacson · Brought up by 4 people on 4 podcasts

Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson has been mentioned in 4 episodes across 4 podcasts (3 episodes recommend it and 1 episode discusses it), through . Most frequently brought up by Ed Zschau (1 episode), Ken Rogoff (1 episode) and Ryan Holiday (1 episode) on The Book Review (1 episode), The Daily Stoic (1 episode) and The Ezra Klein Show (1 episode).

episodes
4
podcasts
4
people
4
episodes recommend it
3

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His book on Benjamin Franklin, also incredibly successful and brilliant business person.
Ryan Holiday · The Daily Stoic · Oct 2026

Questions about Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson

Who recommends Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson on podcasts?

Ed Zschau (1 episode), Ken Rogoff (1 episode) and Ryan Holiday (1 episode) have recommended Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson on podcasts. In all, 4 people brought it up across 4 podcasts (3 people recommended it).

Which podcasts mention Benjamin Franklin the most?

The Book Review (1 episode), The Daily Stoic (1 episode), The Ezra Klein Show (1 episode) and The Tim Ferriss Show (1 episode).

Is Benjamin Franklin recommended, or only discussed?

Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson was recommended in 3 episodes and discussed without a recommendation in 1 episode, as of 2026-10-16.

What do people say about Benjamin Franklin?

Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic (2026-10-16): "His book on Benjamin Franklin, also incredibly successful and brilliant business person."

When was Benjamin Franklin last mentioned on a podcast?

Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson was last recommended on The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday on 2026-10-16.

The best things said about it

2 of 4 · every mention
Recommended
There was a book on the right brothers and these were written for somebody my age now you can read Walder isaacson's book on Benjamin Franklin or on Steve Jobs.
Ed Zschau The Tim Ferriss Show · May 2024
Discussed
So that's on my list too but I I have to finish first the book that I'm reading which is Walter isaacson's biography of Ben Franklin Benjamin Franklin at American life.
Gilbert Cruz The Book Review · Jan 2018

Where and when it comes up

4 people who brought it up

Most recommendations first

Why people recommend it

Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson is a comprehensive biographical work detailing the multifaceted life, scientific experiments, political career, and business acumen of one of America's founding fathers. Ryan Holiday recommended the biography on The Daily Stoic, highlighting Franklin as an exceptionally brilliant and successful business person. Ken Rogoff also recommended the book on The Ezra Klein Show as part of his reading selections, noting that it filled significant gaps in his knowledge about Franklin's achievements. Ed Zschau mentioned Walter Isaacson's biographical works on The Tim Ferriss Show when reflecting on influential literature that shaped his perspective. Gilbert Cruz discussed reading the biography on The Book Review, identifying it as a primary text he was currently working through during literary conversations. Across these podcasts, the speakers pointed to Franklin's immense curiosity, practical innovation, and civic contributions as captured by Isaacson, making the biography a frequent reference point for understanding effective leadership and historical self-improvement.

Every mention

4 quotes from 4 episodes
Ed Zschau there was a book on the right brothers and these were written for somebody my age now you can read Walder i… 1
Recommended
“there was a book on the right brothers and these were written for somebody my age now you can read Walder isaacson's book on Benjamin Franklin or on Steve Jobs”
Ken Rogoff And another book would be uh Walter Isacson's Ben Franklin. I just I I just hadn't known everything about him. 1
Recommended
“And another book would be uh Walter Isacson's Ben Franklin. I just I I just hadn't known everything about him.”
Ryan Holiday His book on Benjamin Franklin, also incredibly successful and brilliant business person. 1
Recommended
“His book on Benjamin Franklin, also incredibly successful and brilliant business person.”
Gilbert Cruz so that's on my list too but I I have to finish first the book that I'm reading which is Walter isaacson's… 1
Discussed
“so that's on my list too but I I have to finish first the book that I'm reading which is Walter isaacson's biography of Ben Franklin Benjamin Franklin at American life”

Portraits from Wikimedia Commons: Ryan Holiday, Luiz Berengue / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ken Rogoff, Xuthoria / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).