REDISCOVERING AMERICA: Benjamin Franklin and the American Dream

What does it mean to be an American? Before John Wayne, and before Ronald Reagan, Benjamin Franklin was the man who symbolized the land of the free for people around the globe. His model for success inspired everyone from Wayne and Reagan to authors James Baldwin and Russell Baker. REDISCOVERING AMERICA looks at these and other notable figures to see who embodies, and who betrays, Franklin's vision and the spirit of America. PRAISE FOR BRIAN W. FAIRBANKS: ". . . a real talent for extracting the essence of a given subject and articulating it in a meaningful way." ". . . a sophisticated yet effortlessy readable style." "Ingenious."