Nice thread, and some good recomendations on reading.
So Ill post a recomendation similar to what this thread is about
The Final Frontiersman - Heimo Korth

A trip to Turn of the century America would be intresting where do I book my seat on the time machine (that magical carpet ride)

What bothers me is that I am afraid that most of our society today could not cope without the luxaries, where has common sense and Basic education gone.