in shaping American society and politics. The opening of the book sets the stage for Franklin's life story by reflecting on the challenge of narrating his early years, which are famously detailed in his autobiography. Morse describes Franklin’s origins as the son of a tallow-chandler in Boston, his early education, and the beginning of his apprenticeship as a printer at the young age of thirteen. The narrative highlights Franklin's intellectual curiosity and ambition, leading him to leave Boston for Philadelphia in search of better opportunities. As he embarks on this journey, readers are introduced to his formative experiences, setting the tone for his later ventures that would significantly impact American culture and politics. (This is an automatically generated summary.)