Presents a comprehensive collection of lesser-known writings of founding father Benjamin Franklin including journal entries and letters that express his personal views, habits, discoveries, and political thoughts.

Includes index. Donated by John M. McCaffrey.

1.The young man and the old man -- 2. Friendship and flirtation -- 3. The uses of laughter -- 4. Religion -- 5. Sickness and health -- 6. Wind, weather, and air -- 7. Ships and the sea -- 8. Electric fire -- 9. Geology and cosmology -- 10. The colonies and the empire -- 11. Ethnic pride and prejudice -- 12. Join or die -- 13. The vision challenged -- 14. The empire at risk -- 15. Independence -- 16. Poor Richard's diplomacy -- 17. A huckstered peace -- 18. The pretensions of wealth -- 19. America.