For those interested in a factual look at the early Christian church, read "The History of the Church" by Eusibius about 325 A.D. or so. It is fairly well written and the translations are excellent.
Another great book about very early Church history is "James, the brother of Jesus" by the emminent biblical scholar, Robert Eisenmann.
Somewhat controversial itself, this book posits that James (author of the last Epistle in the Bible) was actually the first leader of the Christian church, from 33AD until his murder in 63AD, an event that directly led to the Jewish revolt of 66AD, the destruction of the Temple and the wiping out of Sacrifical Judaism. What emerged was Rabinical Judaism, a reinvention of scattered Judaism around teachers and scholars, hoping for the day the Temple would be restored and sacrifices conducted again.
Eisenmann's book evokes the Messianic fervor of the times and the general hatred of the Romans. He says that Paul, a Roman citizen, and author of the great Epistles that are the core of Christianity, softened this anti-Roman fervor and pictured the Romans as somewhat benign, while turning Christianity into something especially anti-Jewish.
This anti-Jew, pro-Roman "render to Caesar" tilt helped the early Christian Church survive in the Roman empire for 300 years until it was eventually made the official religion of Rome.