Wu Si's Qian GuiZe and XueChou DingLv. It will tell you how Chinese society runs in the recent several hundred years, even today.

Then maybe Wan Li Shi Wu Nian, which gives you simple background. A lot of "ShiNianKanChai"'s history essays are also interesting.

No need to read more. Be careful about the poison of "Wang Qin Wen Hua" in Chinese history books.