Edit 1: The question's practically already answered in the stickied comment, but if anyone else feels they have something to recommend please don't hesitate. There's no bad recommendation, so long as it's a good source. This sub is a diamond in the rough.
Disclaimer: I'm exclusively a lurker and occasionally make one-off accounts to ask questions. This is one of those accounts. I've read the rules and hopefully my question won't violate any of them.
Question:
I want a decent understanding of how our modern world came to be. What books, shows, or other media would be the best sources to get a relatively cohesive grasp?
Context:
I admire and respect the strict adherence to evidence-based truth that this sub-reddit strives for and can't honestly think of a better place to start my search. But, if anyone does know of better sources, let me know. It's definitely within the scope of my question.
So, I'm in the Northeastern USA and was raised in a rural area. I took history classes in High School. World, U.S., Government, the "works". About a decade later, I've since moved to a city with some diversity and learned/corrected more by osmosis and exposure than I ever learned in those classes-- even though I wasn't able to fit history courses into an engineering degree during my time at university. The experience has shown me that while my view of the world has expanded, it's still pretty narrow and it's also rooted in very little historical wisdom. It makes me naive, easy to manipulate for whatever causes.
So, all of this is basically just for my own edification. I want a world view that's based in fact. I want my political views filtered through what has and has not been successful in the social movements of the past. I want to know where we've been so that my idea of where we should go won't be riddled with dogma. I want our world, as chaotic and tumultuous as it is, to be less mysterious. And I'd like to do the work myself, but I need a roadmap. From just lurking, y'all seem to be really serious about your domain.
I recognize that the question is broad in its scope, but I hope that it is also clear enough in its intent that it doesn't violate rule 1.
Any and all recommendations appreciated.
Thanks much, u/AlertMarsupial, apparently. idk. The name generator chose it.
Not to discourage other answers, but you might want to take a look at the AskHistorians booklist, which may go some way toward directing you to quality sources on the areas of your interest.