Great Gifts - 10 Books All Americans Should Own

Whether or not you are a reader, there are 10 books that no American home should be without. If you are just starting out in life, or are looking for that perfect gift for someone else, these reference books will give you a great overview of the world you live in. Reference books can induce a person to browse through information that they may not actively seek online. An Atlas offers pages of maps that show political boundaries as well as geographic information. A dictionary can be poured through just for the love of words. One can page through the Bible and find fascinating stories as well as faith. Thumbing through a cookbook can inspire us to try meals that we never thought to prepare.

While the Internet is a great tool for gathering information, there is nothing like a book. For easy access, when someone else is using the computer, when the electricity is out, or when you have a few moments to spare - sometimes you just need a book. With the Internet, we generally seek specific information and answers to pretty specific questions. A reference books offers us the opportunity to wander through the information presented, like a stroll in a garden where we discover a plant that we have never seen before.

Of course, we all have our favorite novels and nonfiction books but keeping a mini reference library is practical and educational. Children will be encouraged to use books when they see their parents read, or turn to a book for information. Having pertinent reference books in hand just makes your world a more interesting place. These books can be perused in leisure and will lead researchers to seek more knowledge elsewhere.

And, I present here not just 10 books, but many others that kind readers have suggested.

Every home should have a dictionary. If you have only one book in the house - let it be a dictionary. All the words in the English language are there at your fingertips. For spelling, for definitions, or for reference to end those silly arguments during Scrabble games - a dictionary is a necessity in your home.

Okay, so you can read and write. But in order to communicate and fully understand the written word, you need a book on grammar, writing, and punctuation. If you are not an English major, sometimes it's easy to forget those lessons where you spaced out in elementary school.

Should you use the word 'past' or 'passed?' Where do those durn comas go? What the heck is a semi colon for anyway? If you ever need to write anything these books will come in handy.

The title of this book shows that the same words can mean different things depending on punctuation. Does the sentence refer to a character who consumes young vegetation as well as the leaf portion of the plant or a character who dines, takes a pot shot at someone, then departs?

You don't have to be religious to own a Bible. An educated person of the Western World has some understanding of the Bible. Stories in the Bible provide an excellent view into the human condition and provide lessons in human behavior. The Bible is the base of Judeo-Christian philosophy.

A basic, all inclusive cookbook - not theme related, not a celebrity book, but one with general instructions for standard meals. Cooking from scratch is a great way to save money. With a basic cookbook, you can quickly learn how to prepare nutritious and delicious soups, stews, baked goods and classic meal items.

Once you learn the basics, you'll never want manufactured, processed food again. And even if you plan on living on take-out and frozen dinners, sometimes you just need to know some basic cooking rules.

Of course, it's nice to use your dead great grandmother's cookbook when you really want some old fashioned fun, but some of those older books mention ingredients that you might not even know what they are. My older Good Housekeeping cookbook suggests that the modern cook may want to use the new emulsifier type shortenings. There are also some great recipes for Rabbit Fricassee and Broiled Woodcock, so you might want an updated version.

A World History book takes you from the dawn of civilization to the present. It's the story of humanity, our growth and progress filled with tragedy, drama, and idealism. It's the grand horror and war and the dream of the great peacemakers.It's the the development of agriculture, the birth of the written word, the rise of industry and the movement of mankind across the continents.

A world history book introduces you to amazing characters, to the people who made the world what it is today, featuring incredible heroes and villains. A world history book is an exciting tool that allows you some understanding of how we got where we are today.

Of course, many world history books are very Euro-centric. Since these are suggestions for Americans, these books have a slightly western appeal. More suggestions appear at the bottom of the page.

As an American or someone living in America, an American History overview provides you with a background of the events that made America what it is today.

Gain respect and empathy for the people who lived and died building our country.

The incredible dramas, the harrowing journeys, and the birth of our nation will give you a picture of what it means to live in America and what it means to be an American.

Am Atlas laying on a coffee table provides you with a constantly available view of the world. It can be a fascinating trip, providing political boundaries and geographic maps to help you learn how our world is put together.

Trace rivers, locate mountain ranges, see how cities are laid out, notice where the great deserts lay and ocean currents flow. An Atlas is a huge picture of the world at your fingertips. Most children love maps and will love to pour over an Atlas with you. Any time a place is mentioned in a story, conversation, or on TV, help your child locate the spot on a map to open their minds to the great, big world.

Who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1956?

How about a list of all the Pulitzer prize winners?

What is the world's tallest building?

The World Almanac Book of Facts can answer these questions and more. thumbing through the Almanac can be an adventure and draw your interest into things you've never thought about before.

A large format art book shows you how the great creative artists viewed the world. Learn how the visual arts developed and what made humans turn to painting as an expressions of their deepest emotions and highest ideals.

Learn to understand the visual mediums used to depict concepts of idealism, philosophy, religions and the vision of some of the most creative minds in history.

What is art? what makes and artistic work a masterpiece.

Sometimes, you just want to look at pictures.

Okay, so you don't live int he wilderness and have no plans to visit any wilderness areas. Or, maybe you do. But, you just saw the most incredible bird. What the hell was that?

Or, you saw an odd looking spider. Was it the infamous Black Widow?

What about that thing you saw when you were looking out the window at dawn - pretty tall for a fox. Was it a coyote?

How big are bison?

Where do grizzly bears live?

You saw a very cool fish but you don't know what it was.

And how about that really pretty little flower that popped up in the corner of the yard - awfully pretty for a weed.

Is that lovely white flower Queen Anne's Lace or poison hemlock?

Answer these questions easily and learn all about the significant wildlife of your country in a wildlife guide.

Thank you to all the kind reader who suggested other books for this hub. But I got a warning from HubPages staff - I had included way too many books. This new feature of HP suggests removal of products when there are too many listed. I am sorry to take down your wonderful books but realize that I got carried away. Of course you may suggest anything you like in the comments section, but I am unable to present the Amazon link.