Are there any good old Jewish scripts that would prove beneficial to read for someone seeking a better understanding of of Judiaism and its effect on western culture?

I personally am not a Jew. I was raised in a Christian household in a country greatly influenced by Christianity which inturn has its origins in Judaism. Personally I would like to understand Judaism better and would like some better resources than what is given in the Biblical Old Testament and perhaps a little philosophy on the matter. I am not preaching. More or less I am interested in what the Jews believed and practiced prior to Roman occupation and how that may help us better understand their importance in the modern world.