SPN isn't as consistently good as Rome. There were only a couple parts in Rome where I was like "... OK guys. That could have been written better." SPN just aims lower, I think, but there are also these strange, amazing moments of grace -- and I do mean grace. It just explodes on you, and you're like, MY GOD THIS IS WHAT AUDIOVISUAL NARRATIVE IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE AND WHAT NO OTHER MEDIUM CAN CONVEY.

I can get on board with all of that, even the Vonnegut, if you really want him. XD For non-fiction, I'd make my kids read Edward Gibbon and George Orwell.