Benjamin Franklin, Genius of Kites, Flights and Voting Rights

Benjamin Franklin, Genius of Kites, Flights and Voting Rights
Author: Seymour Stanton Block
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2015-01-27
Genre: History
ISBN: 0786480246

This unconventional biography of Benjamin Franklin, the great American Renaissance man, explores examples of Franklin's diverse genius and accomplishments in different fields. Among the topics explored are Franklin's views on women's issues, such as disapproving of impractical hoopskirts, supporting their education, and suggesting insurance for widows and spinsters. It describes his love of a good hoax, contributions to ballooning while an ambassador in France, experiments with the famous kite, and advances in heating houses. His work with money is also covered, including methods of printing money to confuse counterfeiters, a revolutionary way of making a print of a real leaf, and his updated portrait on the present $100 bill. Franklin's role as head of a commission to examine (and debunk) mesmerism is addressed. No stranger to controversy, Franklin headed the first successful attempt to unify the colonies to create a country. This work shows that Franklin is more responsible than any other for the founding of the United States--and also that he was a leading cause of the French Revolution, providing the French with an example of a successful rebellion, lessons on how to shift power from the king, and ideas about erecting a constitutional government (in addition, he weakened the French royal treasury by extracting loans and gifts to support America).

Pranksters

Pranksters
Author: Kembrew McLeod
Publisher: NYU Press
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2014-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 081479629X

Profiles the most notorious mischief makers in Western culture from 1600 to the present day and explores how pranks are part of a long tradition of speaking truth to power and social critique.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
Author: Jack Lynch
Publisher:
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2010
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN:

Examines the individual author's entire body of work and on his/her single works of literature.

Libertines and Harlots

Libertines and Harlots
Author: Norman Milne
Publisher: Paragon Publishing
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2014-08-25
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782223150

One of the clubs explored in this book is The Calf’s Head Club who celebrated the death of Charles I every year on the 30th January. A book of this nature would also be incomplete without the Earl of Rochester, the Duke of Wharton, Sir Francis Dashwood and Charles II who loved nothing more than a leg of mutton and a whore. In the 18th century the notorious members of the Hell Fire Clubs, the Knights of St. Francis and the Demoniac Club all fornicated around Scotland, England and Ireland. However, out of all the clubs in the 18th century that were in and out of vogue the Beggar’s Benison in the kingdom of Fife had to be the strangest. Their initiation ritual was rather bizarre and for most people unthinkable, to say the least. Norman was born in Edinburgh on the 21st July 1961. At sixteen Norman went into the sheet-metal working industry. He has also worked as a registered silversmith with Edinburgh Assay Office, been bouncer, a tour guide and has lectured on Scottish history. In 2001 he decided to accomplish something more arduous. He studied part time at the Open University for two years then at Edinburgh Napier University full time for four years. Norman’s academic achievements are a certificate in social science, an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) and an MSc in (Business Management). Both degrees inspired Norman to write his first book Scottish Culture and Traditions which was published in 2010 (ISBN 978-1-899820-79-5). His other interests are the restoration of classic motorbikes, cooking, history, and trying to play the violin. He is currently a 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate and has taught adults and children for nearly thirty years.

Survey of London

Survey of London
Author: Andrew Saint
Publisher:
Total Pages: 508
Release: 2013
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9780300196160

The End of an Era

The End of an Era
Author: John Sergeant Wise
Publisher: Boston New York, Houghton, Mifflin
Total Pages: 494
Release: 1899
Genre: History
ISBN: