I can absolutely confirm that Braudel (and the Annales of History in general) are excellent. I haven't read Braudel in full (and he does make mistakes in the regions he looks at according to a friend, but is developing a good theory and draws stuff together very well). What I want to say is: Whenever I read pieces of the three volume series, but especially the third book it is a joy that re-frames how I think and enables me to have more questions to ask.