The first American : the life and times of Benjamin Franklin

Summary: The first major biography of Benjamin Franklin in more than sixty years, The First American is history on a grand scale -- a work of meticulous scholarship and a thoroughly engaging portrait of the foremost American of his day. Diplomat, scientist, philosopher, businessman, inventor, wit, and bon vivant, Benjamin Franklin was in every respect America's first Renaissance man. The eighteenth-century genius comes to life in this masterwork by acclaimed historian H.W. Brands, whose access to previously unpublished letters and a host of other sources makes this the definitive biography. A much-needed reminder of Franklin's greatness and humanity, The First American provides a magnificent tour of a legendary historical figure, the countless arenas in which the protean Franklin left his legacy, and a pivotal era in American life.

Record details

ISBN: 0385495404
ISBN: 9780385495400
ISBN: 0385493282
ISBN: 9780385493284
ISBN: 0385493282
Physical Description: print
765 pages ; 21 cm
Edition: 1st Anchor books ed.
Publisher: New York : Anchor Books, 2002.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 717-747) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Prologue : January 29, 1774 -- Boston Beginnings : 1706-23 -- Friends and Other Strangers : 1723-24 -- London Once : 1724-26 -- An Imprint of His Own : 1726-30 -- Poor Richard : 1730-35 -- Citizen : 1735-40 -- Arc of Empire : 1741-48 -- Electricity and Fame : 1748-51 -- A Taste of Politics : 1751-54 -- Join or Die : 1754-55 -- The People's Colonel : 1755-57 -- A Larger Stage : 1757-58 -- Imperialist : 1759-60 -- Briton : 1760-62 -- Rising in the West : 1762-64 -- Stamps and Statesmanship : 1764-66 -- Duties and Pleasures : 1766-67 -- Reason and Riot : 1768-69 -- The Rift Widens : 1770-71 -- To Kick a Little : 1772-73 -- The Cockpit : 1774-75 -- Rebel : 1775-76 -- Salvation in Paris : 1776-78 -- Bonhomme Richard : 1778-79 -- Minister Plenipotentiary : 1779-81 -- Blessed Work : 1781-82 -- Savant : 1783-85 -- Home : 1785-86 -- Sunrise at Dusk : 1786-87 -- To Sleep : 1787-90 -- Epilogue : April 17, 1990.