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Bolt of Fate: Benjamin Franklin and His Electric Kite Hoax by Tom Tucker: Used
US $9.66
ApproximatelyS$ 12.54
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Free Standard Shipping.
Located in: Sparks, Nevada, United States
Delivery:
Estimated between Mon, 27 Oct and Sat, 1 Nov
Returns:
30 days return. Buyer pays for return shipping. If you use an eBay shipping label, it will be deducted from your refund amount.
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eBay item number:403959697949
Item specifics
- Condition
- Publication Date
- 2005-03-16
- Pages
- 297
- ISBN
- 9781586482947
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Public Affairs
ISBN-10
1586482947
ISBN-13
9781586482947
eBay Product ID (ePID)
43438570
Product Key Features
Book Title
Bolt of Fate : Benjamin Franklin and His Fabulous Kite
Number of Pages
320 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2005
Topic
Physics / Electricity, United States / Colonial Period (1600-1775), Essays, Historical, Science & Technology
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Science, Biography & Autobiography, History
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Weight
12 Oz
Item Length
8.2 in
Item Width
5.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
Synopsis
Every schoolchild in America knows that Benjamin Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm in the summer of 1752. Electricity from the clouds above traveled down the kite's twine and threw a spark from a key that Franklin had attached to the string. He thereby proved that lightning and electricity were one. What many of us do not realize is that Franklin used this breakthrough in his day's intensely competitive field of electrical science to embarrass his French and English rivals. His kite experiment was an international event and the Franklin that it presented to the world -- a homespun, rural philosopher-scientist performing an immensely important and dangerous experiment with a child's toy -- became the Franklin of myth. In fact, this sly presentation on Franklin's part so charmed the French that he became an irresistible celebrity when he traveled there during the American Revolution. The crowds and the journalists, and the ladies, cajoled the French powers into joining us in our fight against the British. What no one has successfully proven until now -- and what few have suggested -- is that Franklin never flew the kite at all. Benjamin Franklin was an enthusiastic hoaxer. And with the electric kite, he performed his greatest hoax. As Tucker shows, it was this trick that may have won the American Revolution., Every schoolchild in America knows that Benjamin Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm in the summer of 1752. Electricity from the clouds above traveled down the kite's twine and threw a spark from a key that Franklin had attached to the string. He thereby proved that lightning and electricity were one. What many of us do not realize is that Franklin used this breakthrough in his day's intensely competitive field of electrical science to embarrass his French and English rivals. His kite experiment was an international event and the Franklin that it presented to the world--a homespun, rural philosopher-scientist performing an immensely important and dangerous experiment with a child's toy--became the Franklin of myth. In fact, this sly presentation on Franklin's part so charmed the French that he became an irresistible celebrity when he traveled there during the American Revolution. The crowds and the journalists, and the ladies, cajoled the French powers into joining us in our fight against the British. What no one has successfully proven until now--and what few have suggested--is that Franklin never flew the kite at all. Benjamin Franklin was an enthusiastic hoaxer. And with the electric kite, he performed his greatest hoax. As Tucker shows, it was this trick that may have won the American Revolution., Every schoolchild in America knows that Benjamin Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm in the summer of 1752. Electricity from the clouds above traveled down the kite's twine and threw a spark from a key that Franklin had attached to the string. He thereby proved that lightning and electricity were one. What many of us do not realize is that Franklin used this breakthrough in his day's intensely competitive field of electrical science to embarrass his French and English rivals. His kite experiment was an international event and the Franklin that it presented to the world,a homespun, rural philosopher-scientist performing an immensely important and dangerous experiment with a child's toy,became the Franklin of myth. In fact, this sly presentation on Franklin's part so charmed the French that he became an irresistible celebrity when he traveled there during the American Revolution. The crowds and the journalists, and the ladies, cajoled the French powers into joining us in our fight against the British. What no one has successfully proven until now,and what few have suggested,is that Franklin never flew the kite at all. Benjamin Franklin was an enthusiastic hoaxer. And with the electric kite, he performed his greatest hoax. As Tucker shows, it was this trick that may have won the American Revolution.
Item description from the seller
Seller feedback (538,642)
- e***n (392)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseGreat transaction, exactly as described, packed well, and promptly shipped on August 6th. Unfortunately the U.S. Postal Service took 23 calendar days to deliver the book. It was shipped from Pennsylvania, to Atlanta, past Alabama to Texas, enjoyed several days in Texas, then to Minneapolis, Jacksonville, Florida, back to Atlanta, finally to Birmingham, and Huntsville. The seller was very responsive and I decided it was interesting to see if/how the book would arrive. Thanks, Joe
- 0***g (380)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseExcellent purchase. Was able to get all three items from the one seller. Seller was able to bundle all three items together into one package. Items as described and arrived in perfect condition. Good communication around shipping and tracking as items delayed and not able to be delivered by original estimate. Thanks to shipping updates I was able to track the items arriving before the extended delivery time. Thank you for making these items available on EBay.
- _***b (63)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseI gave 5 stars on shipping because i sent 2 separate emails + they responded with helpful info, even though it arrived late. This was a great value with free shipping + the condition is very good, better than advertised 🙂! The overall quality and appearance is excellent! I highly recommend this seller and give them 👍👍👍👍
Seller feedback (538,642)
- e***n (392)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseGreat transaction, exactly as described, packed well, and promptly shipped on August 6th. Unfortunately the U.S. Postal Service took 23 calendar days to deliver the book. It was shipped from Pennsylvania, to Atlanta, past Alabama to Texas, enjoyed several days in Texas, then to Minneapolis, Jacksonville, Florida, back to Atlanta, finally to Birmingham, and Huntsville. The seller was very responsive and I decided it was interesting to see if/how the book would arrive. Thanks, Joe
- 0***g (380)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseExcellent purchase. Was able to get all three items from the one seller. Seller was able to bundle all three items together into one package. Items as described and arrived in perfect condition. Good communication around shipping and tracking as items delayed and not able to be delivered by original estimate. Thanks to shipping updates I was able to track the items arriving before the extended delivery time. Thank you for making these items available on EBay.
- _***b (63)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseI gave 5 stars on shipping because i sent 2 separate emails + they responded with helpful info, even though it arrived late. This was a great value with free shipping + the condition is very good, better than advertised 🙂! The overall quality and appearance is excellent! I highly recommend this seller and give them 👍👍👍👍