Msgr. Hughes wrote a great three volume History of the Church. It is online. Mgsr Hughes was Oxbridge, (A term used for Scholars of Oxford and Cambridge Universities) and was a convert from Protestantims. He is very fair at looking into the historical developments and not taking just one side.

You can find a condensed version in paperback all over, http://www.amazon.com/Popular-History-Catholic-Church-Philip/dp/0020856407

Sometimes you can find the three volume set in used book stores, although it is still in print. Online the three volumes can be found at… http://www.franciscan-sfo.org/ap/hu/0-ha.htm

I’ll look and see what other good authors I’ve got.