Famous Men Of Rome: History for the Thoughtful Child [Paperback]

John H. Haaren (Author), A. B. Poland (Author), Rob Shearer (Editor), Cyndy Shearer (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1882514033 | ISBN-13: 978-1882514038 | Publication Date: March 1, 1989

Teach your children the history of Rome, beginning with the stories of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers credited with the founding of the city. The thirty short biographies cover the key figures of the founding of Rome, the early days of the Republic, the Empire, and the decline. The history of Rome is taught chronologically as students read short biographical sketches. As in Famous Men of Greece, your fourth or fifth graders should be able to enjoy it independently, while older students can also read it and not feel they have been given something that is "babyish."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Haaren & Poland were the superintendants of schools for the cities of New York and Newark in 1904. Rob & Cyndy Shearer have advanced degrees in English & History and have been teachers and homeschooling parents for thirty years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Greenleaf Press (March 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882514033
• ISBN-13: 978-1882514038
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Children's Books > History > Europe

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Collection of Biographies for Elementary Children, May 27, 2000

By 

P. Gardner "Penny Gardner" (American Fork, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Famous Men Of Rome: History for the Thoughtful Child (Paperback)

Famous Men of Rome continues to effectively introduce children to ancient history.

The author states in the 1904 preface: "The former practice in many elementary schools of beginning the detailed study of American history without any previous knowledge of general history limited the pupil's range of vision, restricted his sympathies, and left him without material for comparisons. Moreover, it denied to him a knowledge of his inheritance from the Greek philosopher, the Roman lawgiver, the Teutonic lover of freedom."

Your child will be captured by the fable of Romulus and Remus. He or she will wonder at Cincinnatus who chose to be a farmer rather than a dictator. And your child will admire Marcus Aurelius, a noble emperor who lived simply, used his own money to help the poor, and walked the streets greeting people and listening to their troubles so he could be a better leader.

Older students may read Plutarch but elementary children will gained a foundation for history by reading about "Famous Men."

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Effective Way to Introduce Your Kids to Ancient Rome, August 28, 2001

By 

Charles Flemming (Fort Worth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Famous Men Of Rome: History for the Thoughtful Child (Paperback)

I have a confession to make. One of the really cool things I'm enjoying about homeschooling in general, and teaching my kids history in particular, is that I get to learn right along with them. I'm playing a bit of a trick on them: I stay just enough ahead to maintain my credibility as their teacher. Truth is, I'm really their fellow-student. That's one reason the Famous Men series and their companion guides from Greenleaf Press are so helpful to me. Short, informative chapters that quickly capture the story of history as lived through the lives of influential individuals. In my opinion, biography is at least as important as event, because biography lets us in on the "why" and "how" of history more effectively than covering dates and events. And isn't that what we most need to know? Famous Men of Rome is faithful to this vision of learning history through biography. There are thirty chapters covering over 29 people and 11 centuries, from the legendary founding of Rome to its slow unraveling in the early centuries after Christ. Each chapter is a fascinating read. For those who plan to use Famous Men of Rome in teaching their children, I recommend also getting the Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of Rome. It provides ideas, discussion questions, of most help to me, comprehensive lists of additional resources. I also recommend Laurie Carlson's Classical Kids and The Classical Companion, by Charles F. Baker III and Rosalie F. Baker. They will help you transport your children back to the days of ancient Rome and Greece. My children, who admittedly are avid readers, love these books. So does their father.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Effective Way to Introduce Your Kids to Ancient Rome, August 28, 2001

By 

Charles Flemming (Fort Worth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Famous Men Of Rome: History for the Thoughtful Child (Paperback)

I have a confession to make. One of the really cool things I'm enjoying about homeschooling in general, and teaching my kids history in particular, is that I get to learn right along with them. I'm playing a bit of a trick on them: I stay just enough ahead to maintain my credibility as their teacher. Truth is, I'm really their fellow-student. That's one reason the Famous Men series and their companion guides from Greenleaf Press are so helpful to me. Short, informative chapters that quickly capture the story of history as lived through the lives of influential individuals. In my opinion, biography is at least as important as event, because biography lets us in on the "why" and "how" of history more effectively than covering dates and events. And isn't that what we most need to know? Famous Men of Rome is faithful to this vision of learning history through biography. There are thirty chapters covering over 29 people and 11 centuries, from the legendary founding of Rome to its slow unraveling in the early centuries after Christ. Each chapter is a fascinating read. For those who plan to use Famous Men of Rome in teaching their children, I recommend also getting the Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of Rome. It provides ideas, discussion questions, of most help to me, comprehensive lists of additional resources. I also recommend Laurie Carlson's Classical Kids and The Classical Companion, by Charles F. Baker III and Rosalie F. Baker. They will help you transport your children back to the days of ancient Rome and Greece. My children, who admittedly are avid readers, love these books. So does their father.