The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 1: Ancient Times, From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Empire

This book is basically a history and culture textbook written for homeschoolers who are short on time and culture and need to get everything from just one book. It has to simplify and shorten, to be accessible to children. In its three pages on Alcibiades, it goes too far and actually misleads; every other sentence is completely false. What did the same author do with Alcibiades in her history for adults? I'm actually curious now.

I tried listening to the book, instead of reading. It seems to go really awry with most of Greek history. Its big virtue is that it goes around and around the world, picking up the threads on one continent after another.

Going into any history book, I am concerned about how the author's personal views might have shaped his or her interpretation of the record of events. This is doubly so concerning history books written for children who are even more susceptible to accepting option and conjecture as truth. I think that, with this concern in mind, Ms. Bauer did an excellent job assembling this first volume of her early elementary school world history series. Her attempt at including myths from each of the religious traditions she broaches in the book is admirable, although I feel that she tips her hand slightly as her prefaces to biblical passages present them more as historical record than spiritual account. That being said, Ms. Bauer goes above and show more beyond what all other textbooks that I've seen for this age accomplish, attempting to give a concise but global snapshot of the time period, following trends and themes in history across cultures, and constructing a terribly engaging narrative, all so that children see the study of history as more than just the recitation of a list of dusty facts but as something that has real value in their lives. show less

I read this to my kids over the course of the year. It sparked lots of interest in people and events throughout ancient history, not to mention giving me the grounding no one ever gave me about the very earliest peoples and civilizations. After this kids' history book, I have the confidence (and desire!) to pick up history books for adults and find my way.

What terrible secret was buried in Shi Huangdi's tomb? Did nomads like lizard stew? What happened to Anansi the Spider in the Village of the Plantains? And how did a six-year-old become the last emperor of Rome?

Told in a straightforward, engaging style that has become Susan Wise Bauer's trademark, The Story of the World series covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas--find out what happened all around the world in long-ago times. This first revised volume begins with the earliest nomads and ends with the last Roman emperor. Newly revised and updated, The Story of the World, Volume 1 includes maps, a new timeline, more illustrations, and additional parental aids. This show more read-aloud series is designed for parents to share with elementary-school children. Enjoy it together and introduce your child to the marvelous story of the world's civilizations. show less

I've been reading "The Story of the World" to my 6-year-old for the past several weeks. While the book is comprehensive in its' overall time line, we've been picking and choosing stories based on what interests us on a given day. Last night we chose three stories summarizing the life and exploits of Alexander the Great. Last week we read about the adventures of Odysseus. Before that, it was the Remus and Romulus myth surrounding the beginnings of Rome. And don't forget the appropriately detailed overview of the lives of gladiators.

I think next up will be Early America civilizations...

Each chapter is short and focused, and written well for K-3rd grade. The chapters are written as stories or narratives which make the learning perfectly show more consumable by the target age ranges.

Not only have I found my son making real world connections and references to items we've read in the book, but I've also learned a few new things myself.

This is highly recommended. show less

This is the first volume of a series subtitled "History for the Classical Child"--part of the Sonlight curriculum. It's a summary of the ancient history, up through about 500 AD, written in a very readable style. Almost like reading a novel. One pleasant touch in this book is that even though it was written to be part of a classical education, it acknowledges that there were civilizations elsewhere in the world besides just in the Fertile Crescent and around the Mediterranean. 'Tis a volume worth checking out.
--J.

Activity book available through Peace Hill Press. Great program for all ages! Fun! My family did like the books better though.