Classical literature and histories? a few historical favorites mabye
lets put the line at 1900?
a few of mine
Platos Republic, Fydor Dostoyevskys Brothers Kamarazov, The Oddyssy, Machiavelli the prince, Chaucers canterburry tails, Beowolf

if its a translated work and you know the version list your favorite translation if you could

Thank you if this isn't historical i'm sorry but all books, poems and history were written at sometime. The story of the authors and how the books show the times are a critical showing of the time.