Much of the books are long read. DH has a habit of getting into a topic, like the Dark Ages and reading a dozen books or more on it and I tend to pick some up.
Now, Paul and the Gospels were the Classic period. So if you go back into that time period in your library or google, you can find many titles. I think a variety of books that covers the history, particularly by noted professors, will provide the information.
I think you have to read a variety of books to form a good opinion. After Classic, you can read about the church development during the Dark Ages, and into the Middle Ages, there is that Borgia period....
Ren
