This Bantam Classic edition presents us with a new,wide-ranglng selection of Benjamin Franklin's writings that illuminates the complex and appealing character of that quintessential American, who rose to fame as a publisher, inventor, educator, bon vivant,and statesman.Here are selections from Franklin's newspaper articles,from the sage wisdom of POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC……

This Bantam Classic edition presents us with a new,wide-ranglng selection of Benjamin Franklin"s writings that illuminates the complex and appealing character of that quintessential American, who rose to fame as a publisher, inventor, educator, bon vivant,and statesman.Here are selections from Franklin"s newspaper articles,from the sage wisdom of POOR RICHARD"S ALMANAC, from his entertaining letters, from his scientific essays, from his political and revolutionary writings, plus a generous sampling of his famous aphorisms, poems, and humor，And, most important,here is a newly edited text of one of the most vital and important works of American literature,the AUTOBIOGRAPHY。

Edited and with an Introduction by Peter Shaw

Introduction by Peter Shaw

A Note on the Text

The Autobiography

Franklin"s Outlines for the Autobiography

Selected Writings

 Newspaper Writing (1722-1734)

 Poor Richard"s Almanac (1733-1758)

 Projects (1728-1749)

 Observations and Experiments (1744-1785)

 Essays (1747-1768)

 Letters (174%1768)

 Revolutionary Writings (1766-1787)

 Wise, Practical, and Humorous Writings of the

 Aged Sage (1772-1790)

 Poems and Epitaph

Bibliography

Index