In general, the larger the aggregate, the lower the cement content needs to be...all other parameters being equal. This is the reason that shrinkage is lower for larger aggregates. The reason for this is the specific surface area of the aggregate that must be covered with cement paste to provide interstitial bond between aggregate particles is lower for larger aggregate.
The most prominent source of information on concrete is Adam Neville's various editions of his concrete texts. Any one of these will give you a good background in concrete. Other good references are the ACI Manual of Practice (expensive), but particularly ACI 211 which can be purchased as a separate standard. As JedClampett noted, PCA's Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures is a good source as well. I have several editions of this manual over the past 40 years and they keep up well with concrete technology.
Good concrete can be made with limestone (limerock), river rock and others, provided they are crushed stone, not rounded as dik noted.
Good concrete is made from cement, water and quality aggregates. Bad concrete is made from the same materials. It depends on how you design the mix, produce the mix, place and cure the concrete.