Americana by Bhu Srinivasan

 American history treated from an economic point of view is informative and fascinating. The Pilgrims went from England to Holland for religious freedom but cam to America because of the hard conditions in Holland. They needed funds for the expedition and got them from England who needed settlers. His chapters on cotton, steam, canals, railroads, telegraph, gold, and slavery finish the first part. Each chapter highlights the economic importance signified by its title. Slaves were worth $4 billion dollars and the most valuable part of the US economy were not going to be freed without a fight. Politics is interesting but this well-written book shows that it's economics that makes the difference.

Breath The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

 Effective breathing is really important for good health and long life. In a study by Buteyko "the healthiest patients breathed alike, too: less. They'd inhale and exhale about ten times a minute..." This book contains many other tips about breathing. Appendices give breathing exercises corresponding to each chapter. It takes more than one reading to distill the wisdom here but it is worth the effort.

With Malice Toward None A Life of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen B. Oates

 This is a well-written coverage of Lincoln's life with insight into his personality and his struggles and achievements. In one volume it gives one a feel for the times with an insight into Lincoln who was against slavery his entire life. He wasn't an abolitionist but felt the the country could not remain divided over slavery. He had hoped that if confined to the southern states it would eventually die out.