This biography by Walter Isaacson chronicles the life of Benjamin Franklin from his early days as a runaway apprentice to his later years as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers. The book explores Franklin's contributions to science, politics, and literature, including his work on the Declaration of Independence, his diplomatic efforts in France, and his inventions such as bifocal glasses and the lightning rod. Isaacson also delves into Franklin's personal life, including his relationships and his philosophical underpinnings that shaped American society. The narrative highlights how Franklin helped forge the American national identity and his enduring relevance in the twenty-first century.
William Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!" is a complex and challenging novel that delves into the history and downfall of Thomas Sutpen, a wealthy planter in Mississippi. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, creating a fragmented and layered portrayal of Sutpen's ambition and its devastating consequences. Faulkner's masterful use of stream-of-consciousness and shifting timelines creates a rich and immersive reading experience. The novel explores themes of race, class, ambition, and the destructive nature of the past. It's considered one of Faulkner's most ambitious and rewarding works.
North Toward Home is a memoir by Willie Morris that recounts his childhood in Mississippi, his education at the University of Texas, and his career as a writer in New York. The book explores themes of desegregation, the rise of Lyndon Johnson, and Morris's experiences as the editor of Harper's Magazine. It is praised for its vivid storytelling and insightful observations of a country in transition.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit
andrewsullivan.substack.com(It’s the July 4th holiday. The full Dish — including my weekly column and the window contest — will return next Friday. Happy Independence Day!)
Walter is the Leonard Lauder Professor of American History and Values at Tulane. He’s the former CEO of the Aspen Institute, where he is now a Distinguished Fellow, and he’s been the chairman of CNN and the editor of Time magazine. He’s currently a host of the show “Amanpour and Company” on PBS and CNN, a contributor to CNBC, and the host of the podcast “Trailblazers, from Dell Technologies.” The author of many bestselling books, the one we’re discussing this week is Benjamin Franklin: An American Life.
As Walter says on the pod, my invitation to him to come talk about Franklin spurred him to propose writing a new, second brief book on Franklin’s meaning for America, especially his hatred of “arbitrary power.” For two clips of our convo — on why Franklin opposed a one-person presidency, and his brutal rift with his son William — head to our YouTube page.
Other topics: raised in NOLA in a diverse neighborhood; his work during the recovery from Katrina; Michael Lewis and Nick Lemann as NOLA contemporaries; Harvard in the ‘70s; the benefits of being an outsider; Franklin as the 10th son of a Puritan immigrant in Boston; indentured to his brother as a printer’s apprentice; running away to Philly; his self-taught genius; his 13 Virtues; his many pseudonyms; Poor Richard’s Almanack; poking fun at the elite; his great scientific feats; giving away the patents for his inventions; becoming the most famous American abroad; leaving his wife in Philly; his philandering; struggling to hold the empire together as a diplomat in London; humiliated by elites in the Cockpit in Westminster; returning to Philly as a fierce revolutionary; seeing his son William stay loyal to the Crown as governor of NJ; embracing William’s abandoned son; securing an alliance with France and its crucial navy; the deism of the Founders; balancing faith and reason; power vs arbitrary power; Trump’s daily whims (e.g. tariffs); the separation of powers; judicial review; private property as a check against tyranny; the commons; Posse Comitatus; the Marines in L.A.; Congress ceding power to Trump; the elites’ failure over Iraq and Wall Street; and the dangers of cognitive sorting.
Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Edward Luce on America’s self-harm, Tara Zahra on the revolt against globalization after WWI, Thomas Mallon on the AIDS crisis, and Johann Hari turning the tables to interview me. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan 
