[lelio]

The way I find new books to read is to put my past readings into Amazon.com and have it recommend a new book to me. Its amazing how on the mark it can be at times.
While not meeting your criteria, the Robert Caro books on LBJ and his previous one on Robert Moses of NYC are fascinating. You do learn a lot about the times (Texas Hill Country in the Depression, for example) and about the political scene. LBJ's a scumbag but look beyond that.

[PJ-Comix]

While not meeting your criteria, the Robert Caro books on LBJ and his previous one on Robert Moses of NYC are fascinating.

BINGO!!! Those are the BEST!!!