research question: American history

[ritaxis]

I need really good reading about:

the Constitutional Convention
The Articles of Confederation
Benjamin Franklin's life and family
world economics of the second half of the 18th century

I want to diverge maybe at 1780 ish.

I think I'm going for less-worse.

Comments

[ellarien]

H. W. Brands' The First American is at least a decent biography of Franklin; a more jaundiced and quirky view, focussed on the electric experimentation, is Bolt of Fate by Tom Tucker.

You might also be interested in Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis, a look at the Founders through their letters.

Disclaimer: I read American history for interest, but it wasn't part of my compulsory education, and my understanding is still quite patchy.