Absolutely the best series of novels,( historical fiction) I've ever read is The Flashman Papers by George MacDonald Fraser. There are twelve books covering a span of about 50years. Most of the books are about British military campaigns from 1840-1880's. But, my favorite of the books is called Flashman and the Redskins, which is an incredible tale of the west 1850's - 1870'swith extensive footnotes. You'll learn stuff you probably don't know about Abe Lincoln, Kit Carson, the plains tribes, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Mangus Colorado. It also gives the best description of Custer and the Little Big Horn I've ever read....and I've read extensively on the subject. The anti-hero of the books is is Harry Flashman, a cad, womanizer, coward and liar who would sell his mother down the river to save his own ass, but always ends up looking like a hero. It takes a bit to accept Flashy for who he is, but he grows on you and the books are pee in your pants funny as well as great history. The series is best read in order, but it's not necessary. The books are not PC and if strong racial language offends you better stay away.