Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
Decent bit of historial detail. Bit more distance from the characters than I like. Told in third person. Didn't quite pull me in such that I want to run out and read another by him. Mainly just had good historical detail.

Yes, dances around a bit. From the Coalhouse to JP Morgan to Tateh. Everyone a tad light. I like historial fiction though. Will search for more.

Favorite era being the middle ages. That done with a great level of detail, with a good bit of fantasy thrown in...