A selection of Benjamin Franklin’s writings, with an introduction and commentary by renowned author Walter Isaacson. Selected and annotated by the author of the acclaimed Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, this collection of Franklin’s writings shows why he was the bestselling author of his day and remains America’s favorite founder and wit. Includes an introductory essay exploring Franklin’s life and impact as a writer, and each piece is accompanied by a preface and notes that provide background, context, and analysis.

Table of Contents:
Contents Chronology Key Characters Introduction Part 1: The Young Apprentice Silence Dogood Introduces Herself Silence Dogood on Courtship Silence Dogood Attacks Harvard Silence Dogood's Recipe for Poetry Silence Dogood Attacks the Puritan Theocracy Silence Dogood Proposes Civic Improvements A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity Plan of Conduct Advice to His Sister on Her Marriage A New Creed and Liturgy Part 2: The Philadelphia Printer The First Abortion Controversy The Busy-Body Franklin the Editor The Lessons of Misprints Rules for Marriage A Scolding Wife A Witch Trial at Mount Holly A Printer's Creed Sex Sells Anthony Afterwit on Marriage Celia Single Responds In Praise of Gossip The Discussion Club How to Please in Conversation Part 3: Poor Richard and Friends Introducing Poor Richard Poor Richard vs. Mr. Leeds On the Death of Infants Poor Richard Denies He Is Franklin Faith Versus Good Works Poor Richard Blames His Printer The Drinker's Dictionary How to Write an Almanac Poor Richard's Wife Takes Her Turn Poor Richard Defends Astrology and Wit A Defense of Religious Tolerance A Ballad for Deborah Reasons to Choose an Older Mistress Polly Baker's Trial Part 4: The Public Citizen A Call to Arms for the Middling People The University of Pennsylvania How to Be a Good Tradesman Rattlesnakes for Felons Magical Squares On Welfare Dependency The Albany Plan for an American Union Catherine Ray A Parable on Intolerance The Way to Wealth Part 5: Lobbyist in London Reasons for Restoring Canada to France Mary Stevenson David Hume On Observing the Sabbath When Oil Does Not Calm Troubled Waters Race and Slavery Propaganda Agent A Paean to Deborah The Grumpy Boarder More on Welfare Dependence Cold Air Baths The Fable of the Lion and the Dog Polly Gets Married The Cravenstreet Gazette A Showdown with Lord Hillsborough The Seeds of a Total Disunion How to Weigh a Decision Ode to a Squirrel The Cause of Colds Parody Rules and an Edict Directed at Britain Part 6: American Rebel You Are My Enemy Proposed Articles of Confederation The Rattlesnake as America's Symbol Part 7: Ambassador in Paris An Appeal to France's Interests The Sale of the Hessians A Form Letter of Recommendation The Twelve Commandments, to Madame Brillon A Proposed Treaty with Madame Brillon Bagatelle of the Ephemera Madame Helvétius and Elysian Fields John Paul Jones To His Daughter on Fame, Frugality, and Grandchildren The Morals of Chess Bagatelle on St. Peter's Tolerance On Wine and the Elbow To George Washington on Reputation John Adams Dialogue Between the Gout and Mr. Franklin The Science of Farts A Fable About Misguided Loyalists Seducing the French To Polly on Her Mother and the Futility of War A Critique of Excess Wealth On Hereditary Honors and the Turkey A Vision of America No Longer His Enemy Daylight Savings Time The Prodigal William On Wishes, Age, and Bifocals Part 8: Constitutional Sage The Constitutional Convention Motion for Prayers Franklin's Closing Speech A Miffy Family Webster's Dictionary On the Abolition of Slavery The Final Parody, on Slavery On Jesus Christ To Thomas Jefferson Last Will and Codicil Part 9: The Autobiography The Autobiography