Benjamin Franklin Edmund S. Morgan

The greatest statesman of his age, Benjamin Franklin was also a pioneering scientist, a successful author, the first American postmaster general, a printer and a bon vivant. In addition, he was a man of vast contradictions. This biography offers a compact and provocative portrait of America's most extraordinary patriot.

Edmund S. Morgan, Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University, has written more than a dozen books. Cited as "one of America's most distinguished historians", he was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2000.

"While several previous biographies provide fuller accounts of Franklin's life, none rivals Morgan's study for its grasp of Franklin's character, its affinity not just for his ideas, but for the way his mind worked." Joseph J. Ellis, London Review of Books "Superb... The best short biography of Franklin ever written. A concise and beautifully written portrait of an American hero." Gordon Wood, New York Review of Books "Entrancing... lucid and entertaining." Charles M. Carberry, USA Today "In this engaging and readable book, Edmund Morgan does more than recount the colourful and gripping story of Franklin's long, action- and idea-filled life; he also skillfully dissects the man's personality and mind, his social self and political beliefs." Susan Dunn, New York Times Book Review "A luminous biography." Louis P. Masur, Chicago Tribune Book Review "It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to find fault with this book." Carol Berkin, New England Quartely