Three Books that Changed my Understanding of Jewish History

In these times many of us are seeking understanding and meaning, even scholars in Jewish History. From the article:

When my family made aliyah last year, I found myself needing to pare down my personal library to the most essential volumes—no small feat for an inveterate reader, beit midrash dweller, and academic. I found myself placing three types of books in the “put on the lift” pile: first, seforim, most (though not quite all) of which made the cut; then, trusty reference books which I use regularly; and finally, my treasured coterie of what I call “books to think with”—those whose ideas profoundly influenced me as a scholar and continue to shape me.

Have you read any of these? What are some books you found that have shaped your understanding of us as a people and you personally?