The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1757.

Benjamin Franklin has a clear and entertaining writing style.  This book is much fun to read.  It is also inspirational to read about a man whose influence on America and the world has been truly great. He covers so many issues of interest:  His life as a printer, his thoughts on religion (a free thinker, but clearly a sincere Christian), relationships with Native Americans (not flattering), his sponsorship of the Braddock expedition (tragic), his invention of the cast iron stove and his rejection of a patent offered, his celebrated work on electricity, his creation of the first lending library, the first fire company, the Pennsylvania militia, his philosophical society, his thoughts on how to most successfully influence others (without bragging about ones self), etc.  If his accomplishments has been divided among a dozen people, each of them would have been notable in history.  The shear magnitude of Franklin's achievements are truly amazing.