Right now I'm reading "New York" by Edward Rutherfurd and it's blowing my mind.  Every review is spot on, this book's a winner!  I would recommend it to anyone all over the world as this book accurately describes the history of New York City and America simultaneously, from settlement right through until the tragic events of 9/11; but without being boring. Rutherfurd has achieved this by weaving a fictional family together with factual occurrences, so the reader doesn't even realise the knowledge gained along the way!