Thanks for the suggestions. Regarding your questions:
I don't even know what I'm looking for. So, on some level I'm looking to begin addressing my broad ignorance of human history, and then see where that takes me.
Read 'Guns, Germs and Steel' then. I think its engaging and broad enough in it's scope of the development of different parts of the world to illuminate what more particular aspects of human history you're interested in. The main subject is technological development and its spread across the globe, so it may appeal to a technology-oriented person.
Seconded. I know parts of it have come under criticism, but the way the author attempted to weave a narrative based on so many sciences and studies just blew my mind.
