What We're Reading: Jan

They Made America: From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine: Two Centuries of Innovators by Harold Evans

If you are intrigued by entrepreneurship, rags-to-riches stories or "how did they think of that?," this book is for you. Sir Harold Evans, the famed British journalist, has always been in awe of American innovation - from the first steps of the settlers dealing with the tribulations of the new world to today's Internet whizzes dealing with the world of computer technology. He believes new ideas have furthered equality in our society: Singer's sewing machine was welcomed in affluent parlors and tenement kitchens, Ford put much of the country on wheels, and Google heads Page and Brin improved access to information for everyone. It's an enjoyable read, and exciting too, as you see how these innovations changed lives. Business people and historians might particularly like it but all of us have benefited from these ideas at one point or another. They Made America is also a PBS program on DVD. It would make a great holiday gift!