If the US was free, peaceful, had a booming economy, had a balanced budget, had sound money, had safe streets, had no minimum wage, and taxes imposed by all levels of government took less than 10% of our income in the past, are Americans happier now that the USA is a police state, at war, has a dead economy, is in debt, has a minimum wage, and high taxes?
You will absolutely love "The Great Chicago Fire: An American Catastrophe" by Andy Reven. This very hard-to-put-down disaster book is a quick read and the kind of book you can't stop thinking about. It's probably the best nonfiction book to deepen your understanding of history. Google it and discover why readers find it so fascinating.