The Ingenious Yankees by Joseph Gies
I've become a big fan of Gies and his histories (many are written with his wife)
This particular history covers the period in America from 1776 to 1876 when we became a world power through innovation, technical application and growth. He does a great job of showing the tension between innovation/invention, patent law and determination.
The chapters cover one major invention and its inventors. It is very objective and forthright in its approach and you'll discover great men you've never or rarely heard of. I highly recommend it for homeschoolers.
Check out all their other histories as well.
I will look them up. Thank you
For all of you who have requested Little Britches in order:
LITTLE BRITCHES
MAN OF THE FAMILY
THE HOME RANCH
MARY EMMA AND COMPANY
FIELDS OF HOME
SHAKING THE NICKLE BUSH
THE DRY DIVIDE
HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR
Although the Home Ranch is out of chronological order in this list, it makes sense to have it here, and not between Little Britches and Man of the Family.
Enjoy!