26 records matched your query       

Author:

Dray, Philip.

Title:

Stealing God's thunder : Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod and the invention of America / Philip Dray.

Edition:

1st ed.

Publisher:

Random House,

Copyright Date:

c2005

Description:

xviii, 279 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.

Subject:

Franklin, Benjamin,--1706-1790.
Franklin, Benjamin,--1706-1790--Physics.--Physics.
Electricity--History--History--18th century.
Lightning--History--History--18th century.
Statesmen--United States--Biography.
Physicists--United States--Biography.
Wetenschap.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [229]-239) and index.

Contents:

"Cotton Mather, dam you, with a pox to you!" -- Made at Philadelphia -- A subject of serene contemplation -- The mighty hand of God -- Electric ambassador -- The science of freedom.

Summary:

A biography of Benjamin Franklin viewed through the lens of his scientific inquiry and its ramifications for American democracy. Today we think of Franklin as a founder of American independence who also dabbled in science. But in Franklin's day it was otherwise--long before he was an eminent statesman, he was famous for his revolutionary scientific work, especially his experiments with lightning and electricity. Pulitzer Prize finalist Dray uses the evolution of Franklin's scientific curiosity and empirical thinking as a metaphor for America's struggle to establish its fundamental values. Set against the backdrop of the Enlightenment and America's pursuit of political equality for all, the book recounts how Franklin unlocked one of the greatest natural mysteries of his day.--From publisher description.

ISBN:

9781400060320 (alk. paper)
140006032X (alk. paper)

LCCN:

2004051349

Locations:

USUX851 -- Iowa State University - Parks Library (Ames)

GBPF771 -- Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library (Ankeny)

KSPG296 -- Burlington Public Library (Burlington)

UQAX771 -- Des Moines Area Community College Library - Ankeny (Carroll)

UNUX074 -- University of Northern Iowa - Rod Library (Cedar Falls)

CDPF771 -- Clive Public Library (Clive)

XXPH787 -- Council Bluffs Public Library (Council Bluffs)

PLAX964 -- Luther College - Preus Library (Decorah)

BAPH771 -- Des Moines Public Library (Des Moines)

ULAX314 -- Loras College Library (Dubuque)

MXPG943 -- Fort Dodge Public Library (Fort Dodge)

OIAX792 -- Grinnell College (Grinnell)

CAPH522 -- Iowa City Public Library (Iowa City)

OVUX522 -- University of Iowa Libraries (Iowa City)

VKPE334 -- Oelwein Public Library (Oelwein)

NVPB663 -- Riceville Public Library (Riceville)

LAPH975 -- Sioux City Public Library (Sioux City)

GDPF771 -- Urbandale Public Library (Urbandale)

GEPG771 -- West Des Moines Public Library (West Des Moines)