[abhishek0318]

The history of US fascinates me as a foreigner. How it went from a totally unknown land to a super power within few centuries.

[maxxxxx]

In places like LA it only took a few decades from the late 1800s on. Almost like China now.

[handedness]

If that interests you, The Accidental Superpower provides the best overview of the subject I've found.

[gorgonian]

In short, lots of land and resources, and then coming out on top after both world wars.