This newly edited Norton Critical Edition includes an introduction explaining the history of the Autobiography. The text, written during the most eventful years of Benjamin Franklin's life (1771-1790), is accompanied by new and expanded annotations, a map, an illustration and facsimiles. "Contexts" offers a broad view of Franklin's life while "Criticism" draws on material reflecting the range of his achievements and the global impact of his life and memoirs. New international voices are included in "Contemporary Opinions" and there are also sections on nineteenth-century and modern views. A chronology, bibliography and index are included.