The First American - The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin (2000) Front Cover Book Details Author H. W. Brands Genre Biography Publication Date 9/19/2000 Personal Details Rating 7 Read It Yes Reading Date 4/14/2005 Links Amazon US Powell's Barnes & Noble Product Details Volume P-10 Plot This first major biography of Benjamin Franklin in more than 60 years presents previously unpublished letters to and by Franklin and includes recollections and anecdotes of Franklin's contemporaries.