A historian and biographer argues that without Ben Franklin we would still be British subjects. In "Franklin, " Srodes tells Franklin's incredible life story making full use of the previously neglected papers to provide the most riveting account yet of the journalist, scientist, politician and unlikely adventurer. Franklin, 1706-1790, American Compiler of Poor Richard's Almanac; established the first U.S. lending library (1731); founded an academy which later became the University of Pennsylvania (1751); appointed postmaster for the Colonies (1753-1774); through his kite experiment, demonstrated lightning as an electrical discharge (1752); invented bifocal reading glasses (1760); spent his later years in Europe Politician; Scientist; Printer; Inventor.