/lit/ - Literature

To answer OP, I would wholeheartedly recommend 'The Story of Civilisation' by Durant.

It is quite possibly one of the greatest history books (/series) written bringing together and covering such a diverse array of topics concerning culture, morals, science, religion, philosophy etc in a very readable and interesting narrative and with a very fair and impartial eye.

It's some 10 volumes, thousands of pages long, and covers right from the beginnings of civilisation to the age of Napolean. It's a fantastically exhaustive, engrossing, and dedicated work, but neither pretentious nor obnoxious. The author has a very pleasant prose, and weaves a coherent narrative placing everything within its context.

It is well referenced, well researched, and full of signposts to further reading to broaden ones inquiry and depth of the particular matter or person at hand.

I would say if history and culture, civilisation, and the charting of humanities progress is what interests you, read this.

You just have to sit down with a sheet of paper and a pencil and make a diagram. Doing it with a friend will provide maximum brainstorming.