Ben Franklin: An American Life

Recommended by Kenneth S. Rogoff, Professor of Economics and Maurits C. Boas Chair of International Economics

A sweeping view of Benjamin Franklin’s life, it also explains how he was way ahead of his time in bringing the newfangled invention of paper currency to the colonies, earning a living as the official money printer for both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Money has always been at the cutting edge of technology, just as it is with digital currencies today. Among his many other skills, Franklin was also, by all accounts, the best chess player in North America in his day.