Graphic Quest

Graphic Quest

I'd like the full back history of the Avengers from day one, where can I begin this quest?

I mean, are their any comic volumes, that put together all the Avenger titles/issues into one graphic novel or something like that. In other words, can I buy one book that has like years 1965-1975 and then 1975-1985 (not necessarily those years, but you get my point, like any kind of volumes of multiple issues of the Avengers) that include all comic references to the Avengers?
I don't really want to try to buy every single comic book, but I am not sure if I can buy copies that have been put together under one title or volume. And I mean all, from the beginning to the New Avengers, or whatever title they go by today.

There is a DVD set called 40 years of the Avengers (from September 1963 thru December 2005)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FJSA2G/ref=pd_cp_b_3?pf_rd_p=317711001&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0756614619&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=05D8633C05V4501T80G3

If you don't mind black-n-white, there are the Marvel phone books call Essential Avengers volumes 1 to 6

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Avengers-Vol-Marvel-Essentials/dp/0785130586/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214101933&sr=1-2

If you want color and better quality, there are the Marvel Masterworks books

http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Masterworks-Avengers-Vol-1/dp/0785108831/ref=pd_sim_b_6

If you want a reference guide, you can try Avengers: The Ultimate Guide

http://www.amazon.com/Avengers-Ultimate-Guide-Tom-Defalco/dp/0756614619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214101522&sr=1-1