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Incredible
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Benjamin Franklin: An American Life Audiobook— narrated by Nelson Runger
Walter Isaacson's biography of Benjamin Franklin traces the runaway printer's apprentice who became a scientist, diplomat, and founding father, arguing his practical, compromise-minded temperament shaped the American character itself.
Why the audiobook wins
Nelson Runger reads Isaacson's Franklin, and twenty-five hours is the right investment for a life this long and this varied. The runaway printer's apprentice becomes a scientist, then a diplomat, then a founder, and Runger's steady register carries the reader across decades without making any single phase sound like the important one.
Franklin also wrote constantly, and Isaacson quotes him constantly. The almanac aphorisms, the letters, the Autobiography: all of it was composed for an audience and much of it was meant to be read out. Heard rather than scanned, the famous practical wit sounds like a person talking rather than a plaque.
Twenty-five hours on the founder Isaacson argues shaped the American temperament more than any of the others. One Audible credit covers the recording.
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Audiobook questions
- Who narrates the Benjamin Franklin: An American Life audiobook?
- Nelson Runger narrates the audiobook edition of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life.
- How long is the Benjamin Franklin: An American Life audiobook?
- The audiobook runs 24 hr 40 min.
- Is the Benjamin Franklin: An American Life audiobook worth listening to?
- We scored Benjamin Franklin: An American Life 4.8 out of 5. Nelson Runger reads Isaacson's Franklin, and twenty-five hours is the right investment for a life this long and this varied. The runaway printer's apprentice becomes a scientist, then a diplomat, then a founder, and Runger's steady register carries the reader across decades…
- Can I listen to Benjamin Franklin: An American Life free with an Audible trial?
- Eligible new Audible members can use a free-trial credit to listen in the Audible app. Eligibility and current offer terms are set by Audible.Listen to Benjamin Franklin: An American Life free with an Audible trial
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- Is Benjamin Franklin: An American Life on Kindle Unlimited?
- No. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life was not included with Kindle Unlimited when we last checked on July 21, 2026.
