Like many of you, there are SO many to choose from! I DO like The Quiltmaker's Gift and its sequel, The Quiltmaker's Journey. I also have one volume of Quilts from The Quiltmaker's Gift.
Just for quilting history, I like The Mountain Artisans Quilting Book by Alfred Allan Lewis. It was published in 1973 and has lots of history and information...and the work is hand-done! This book was given to me by a friend who got it at a rummage sale for next-to-nothing. She herself doesn't quilt, but knew I would appreciate the workmanship presented in these pages.