Goodwin gives a colorful account of Franklin's British years. Few people realize that Franklin lived more than one-fifth of his life in London, first as a young man and then as a colonial representative during the Seven Years' War. The result is an enthralling study of an American patriot who was a fiercely loyal British citizen for most of his life-- until he became a reluctant revolutionary at the age of sixty-nine.

1706-1724 : life before London -- 1724-1726 : a young man in London -- 1726-c.1748 : foundations -- c.1748-1757 : Conductor -- 1757-1758 : a London life -- 1757 : return to London -- 1758 onwards : Benjamin Franklin's British family -- 1758-1762 : moves and countermoves -- 1762-1764 : intermission -- 1764-1766 : the stamp act -- 1766-1770 : pivotal years -- Home comforts and discomforts -- 1770-c.1771 : seeking balance -- 1771-1772 : movements -- 1772-1774 : drawn to the cockpit -- 1774-1775 : the last year in London -- Aftermath: 'a little revenge'.