Continuing from Part 1, a guide to the types various types of 'history' book available to you.

'Companions'
Companions (or 'handbooks') are works relating to a specific subject, containing lists, statistics and chronologies. They provide an excellent ready reference source, and a wealth of quotable information; however, they really are only companions, and cannot substitute for narrative, or specialist, histories. As such, they should not be the first thing on your shopping list.

Primary Materials
Primary materials, the documents written at (or often somewhat after) past events, are the lifeblood of history; all historians (and some casual readers) will deal with them. Fortunately, many are available in translation, with heavy explanatory footnotes and good introductions. Some are simply accounts, but many are fascinating and bring the past to life. Don't be afraid to read a primary source!

Primary Material Compilations
Once called a 'reader', these works collect a multitude of (normally short) extracts from primary sources, all relating to a particular topic (e.g. Norman Britain). The material is almost always translated, and can help you quickly identify the major primary sources for a topic, and provide a good taste of the texts (as well as selecting the 'interesting' bits...')

Historical Atlas
These are available in two varieties: history of the world and specialist subject. Both contain a vast array of maps, with the former covering many times and dates, and the latter focusing on specific events (often needing many versions of the same map). Although good narrative/specialist books often provide maps, an atlas is an excellent companion and for some subjects, e.g. wars, indispensable.